A corner of the Phung Hung Mural Street in Hoan Kiem District last Sunday morning.
The pedestrians-only street (on the weekends) used to be busy with visitors a few years ago, but wears a deserted look now. Drivers have taken advantage of the situation to park their cars and motorbikes.
Painted by South Korean and Vietnamese artists, the Phung Hung Mural Street opened to the public in February, 2018.
Stretching more than 200m, the street has 17 paintings that hark back to Hanoi society during the subsidy era when the capital city had electric trams and its streets were dominated by French buildings, bicycles and occasionally, Honda cub motorbikes.
A vending machine borders an arched mural at the beginning of Phung Hung Street near the corner with Le Van Linh Street.
A street vendor has placed a barrier to prevent people from driving on the sidewalk.
A Honda cub displayed on the street as a prop has lost its golden color, as well as its light bulb and saddle.
A framed box that displayed paintings and photos about Hanoi’s Liberation Day on October 10, 1954, marking the end of a nine-year occupation by France, stands damaged and empty.
Photos inside the frame are faded and hidden behind a layer of dried leaves and candy packaging.
Each mural was equipped with a light and camera system, but most of the device's power cords have been disconnected.
Locals have resorted to using the deserted street to store stuff they do not want in their houses, like the dying ornamental plant and a portable canopy.
A group of young women dressed in Vietnam’s traditional dress ao dai pose for photos against the fading murals. The once-empty sidewalk is occupied by many motorbikes.
Coffee shops near Phung Hung are using the street’s sidewalk to keep their customers’ vehicles.
Local authorities said they have already prepared a plan to redecorate the street, but it is not clear when this will be implemented.
Phung Hung Mural Street in 2018. Video by VnExpress/My Linh
