In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the Republic of Korea and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Korea Foundation implemented a project to install murals along the Phung Hung Street railway viaduct, leading from Hoan Kiem Lake to Long Bien Bridge in downtown Hanoi, Vietnam. Co-organized by the Korea Foundation and Hoan Kiem District People’s Committee, the project was made possible through the cooperation of the Lee Gang Jun Institute of Public Design, UN-Habitat Vietnam, and Noru Paint.

Similar to Jongno District in Seoul, Hoan Kiem is a symbol of Hanoi’s storied past, with tourists flocking to the district for a taste of its rich historical and cultural heritage. Seeking to capture the memories of Hanoi, Korean and Vietnamese artists painted 19 murals on the sealed archways of the railway viaduct, depicting scenes from the Doi Moi economic reforms that began in 1986; the Bao An Pagoda, which once stood as the largest Buddhist temple in Hanoi but was razed during the French colonial period; the general merchandise department store, a symbol of the city’s postwar transformation; and the iconic Long Bien Bridge.

Reflecting the public’s keen interest in the newly decorated mural street, as many as 300 people participated in the opening ceremony held on Phung Hung Street on February 2, with local media on hand to cover the event. Amazed by the former parking lot’s transformation into an outdoor gallery, visitors took pictures with their families in front of the murals and carefully read explanations about the works. It is hoped that the mural street will serve as an urban oasis where visitors can enjoy a rest from Hanoi’s hectic pace while reliving memories of the city from generations past.