In the first phase of the project, a garden of Vietnam’s iconic flowers such as peach and lotus will take shape in one and a half years. A museum and a cultural centre will be built in the second phase, which is expected to begin in 2011.

Ryan Nguyen, executive manager of the Viet Heritage Society, said the project aims to present the background and development of Vietnam’s history.

Madison Nguyen, the first Vietnamese born American in the San Jose Council said the project will remind her of Vietnamese traditions and her origin.