Hanoi city People's Committee has issued Decision 3356/QĐ-UNND to approve the master plan on socio-economic development in Son Tay town until 2020, and with orientation until 2030.
Accordingly, Son Tay town will be built into a cultural and historical urban area, with adequate recreation facilities.
Hanoi city People's Committee assigned Son Tay town People's Committee to build the annual and five-year plans on socio-economic development in association with specific projects; and submit them to the city People's Committee for consideration and decision on any adjustment to be suitable with the socio-economic development situation of the town and the city in each period.
Son Tay is situated 40 kilometers from the capital. It is famous for Son Tay citadel, Duong Lam ancient villages, Mia pagoda and many other interesting places.
Son Tay citadel was erected in 1822. The wall is surrounded by a 3m deep, 20m wide moat. Each corner of the citadel was armed with cannon. Furthermore, there is the Kinh Thien Palace - the rest house of the king, residences and offices of provincial leaders, warehouses, and troop camps.
Duong Lam ancient village was recognised as a national relic by the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism). It has a history of about 1,200 years with many houses dating back up to 400 years.
One special thing about the village is that most of the buildings here are made of laterite and mud, two materials that are abundant in the area. Laterite is used on house walls, gates, wells, temple walls, and so forth. The mud is taken from ponds.