If you've ever visited Hanoi's Long Bien Bridge, chances are you've also seen the capital's neverending mosaic mural that runs along Tran Quang Khai Street. The long, colorful mosaic runs unbroken from Hai Ba Trung District's Van Kiep Street all the way to An Duong near West Lake.
However, the Guinness World Record holder for the longest mosaic mural is falling into disrepair, reports VnExpress, as several parts of the mural are in ruins. Over nearly four kilometers, the mural's tiles are now chipped and cracked, with some sections virtually destroyed by wear and tear. The catch, however, is that the mural was only built in 2008.
Covered in the artwork of both local and international contemporary artists, the mosaic touches upon several iconic Vietnamese symbols and stories, including Dong Son motifs and the legend of Hoan Kiem Lake. The record-setting mural also uses tiles from several famous traditional pottery villages nearby.
However, experts say that when the mural was designed, the main focus of the project was aesthetic. By failing to consider the logistics of creating the mural, its designers now face a tedious challenge in restoring the art to its former glory.
[Photos via VnExpress]
