NEW FUN CENTRE: The construction of the Phú Thọ Circus & Entertainment Centre began in HCM City on Tuesday (April 25). The centre, located on 10,300sq.m, will have two basements and 12 stories. Photo courtesy of the HCM City industrial & Civil Construction Investment Project Management Board.

The centre, located on 10,300sq.m, will has two basements and 12 stories.

It will have two theatres within 2,000 seats which cover different theatrical genres and styles. A series of modern function rooms will be included.

The investment of VNĐ1.4 trillion (US$59.9 million) came from the city’s budget.

According to Trần Thế Thuận, director of the city’s Department of Culture and Sports, the construction is expected to be completed in April, 2025.

“The Phú Thọ Circus & Entertainment Centre will be a modern place to offer circus and art performances, exhibitions, and special cultural programmes targeting young people," Thuận said.

The Phú Thọ Circus & Entertainment Centre is among eight cultural and entertainment centres in the city to be built and renovated.

CIRCUS FOR KIDS: Circus artists from the Phương Nam Theatre perform for children in HCM City during the weekend. Photo courtesy of the theatre

In 2020, the city spent VNĐ275.7 billion ($11 million) on the renovation of Tôn Đức Thắng Museum. The rebuilding is expected to be completed later this year.

The museum, located on 6,021sq.m, will include a modern exhibition building of 2,000sq.m with a basement and four stories.

The building will have five display areas which will feature photos, documents and objects about the Communist Party of Việt Nam and its establishment, role, leadership and development in different periods.

The museum’s artefacts and documents have been transferred for storage at the Hồ Chí Minh Museum Branch.

Tôn Đức Thắng Museum is named after President Tôn Đức Thắng, founder of the first workers' union in Việt Nam in 1920. Thắng was the second president of Việt Nam, serving from 1969 to 1976. He died in 1980. — VNS