Cao Lanh city and the Australian Embassy in Vietnam organised a ceremony, on January 26, to inaugurate the Vietnam - Australia mural village at Tan Tich ward, Cao Lanh city, Dong Thap province.
Addressing the ceremony, Rebecca Bryant, Deputy Head of Mission - Australian Embassy in Vietnam, said that the Australian Government is proud to support the very first community art project in the Mekong Delta.
Hundreds of mural paintings, with images of lotus flowers and tangerine gardens in Dong Thap and Australian symbols such as kangaroos and koala bears, were drawn by 30 artists from Australia and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as students from Dong Thap-based universities.
The public art project has created opportunities for local young people to contribute positively to their local community and for both Australian and Vietnamese artists to showcase their creative talents, according to Bradley Kickett, an Australian artist who participated in the project.
The village, along with Cao Lanh Bridge which connects the Mekong Delta’s central region, reflect the close relations between Vietnam and Australia.
The bridge was built at a total cost of VND3 trillion (US$132.12 million), including AUD160 million (US$124.83 million) in non-refundable aid from the Australian Government.