Hanoi Mural Street: World Class Street Art
Hanoi is a city where history meets modernity, a place deeply rooted in cultural richness and historical significance. But it’s not all about historic and traditional remnants. Amid the Old Quarter’s bustling streets lies a less traditional but equally captivating attraction: the Hanoi Mural Street. An international art project has turned Phung Hung Street into an open-air art gallery which is well worth a visit whether you are into street art or not.
Continue scrolling (and reading) for insights into Hanoi’s world class street art, how to explore it and other tips for a great experience!
What is the Mural Street in Hanoi?
The Mural Street opened in 2018 and despite being rather new, it has become a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike. It consists of 17 murals spread along more than 200 metres of the base of the historic Long Bien Bridge.
Hanoi Mural Street was created as an international art exchange project between Vietnam and South Korea. Initiated by Hoan Kiem District People Committee to celebrate 25 years of diplomatic relations between the two republics. Both Korean and Vietnamese artists have contributed and put their individual expressions on the street, which has been transformed from a nondescript alley to an outdoor art gallery.
An ode to the traditional and modern Hanoi
Hanoi has a long and fascinating history and a rich cultural heritage that its people are proud of. And when wandering around in the Vietnamese capital today, it’s easy to see that tradition and modernity go hand in hand.
This is what the Phung Hung Street art project has tried to showcase. And from my perspective, they have achieved it in all possible ways. Each of the 17 pieces of art showcases scenes from daily life in Hanoi. While some depict historical Hanoi, others show modern scenes that look like something you passed along the way to get there.
I highly recommend you take your time to study all of the different murals, as there are so many details in each one of them. An I assure you will learn a lot about Hanoi at the same time.
On my personal account, I definitely need to return to the mural street on my next visit to Hanoi. As I got ill on arrival to Vietnam the previous week, I was still in recovery and my energy levels were at a bare minimum when i visited. But oh, I’m so glad I prioritised coming here to at least get an overview of this magnificent street!
The street vendors in Hanoi is another iconic sight where history meets modernity, see why here.
Challenges and preservation efforts
Street murals are facing more challenges than other types of art. Hanoi’s humid climate is a killer for murals, not to mention the city’s high level of pollution that sticks to everything.
Hence, preservation is needed from time to time. Most recently in time for Lunar New Year, “Tet”, 2023, when local artists spent a couple of weeks fixing all impairments.
How to visit Hanoi Mural Street
Being located on the outskirts of the Old Quarter (see map below), it’s fairly easy to explore the mural street on your own. You can get a taxi or order transport by motorbike or car via the Grab-app to Phung Hung Street, but I recommend using your legs instead.
Hanoi Mural Street is only 1 kilometre away from the Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, the large roundabout next to Hoan Kiem Lake. If you walk straight there, it shouldn’t take longer than 15 minutes. But like everywhere else in Hanoi, there is plenty to see along the way – so no need to rush.
I went during a weekend just before the Tet, and there were markets selling decorations for the celebration everywhere. But I also spotted stalls selling antiquities and traditional Vietnamese furniture that I’d loved to look closer at if my physical shape was up for it.
The murals can also be visited as part of one of the many guided tours offered in the city. I haven’t found a specific tour that goes to Hanoi Mural Street, but I’m sure that if you book a private guide you can customize the tour to stop by.
Map: Where do you find the street?
Phung Hung Street is more than just murals
As if the eye-catching and remarkable murals weren’t enough, Phung Hung Street has even more to offer. Here are 3D paintings popping out, displays of colourful incense sticks, and sculptures of elements historically common in the Hanoian streets. Such as the golden motorbike and a public water tap with buckets around, historically an ordinary sight scene.
For a more interactive experience, you can try traditional games as well. Perhaps some locals are playing that you can join? If I had known (and not had a pinching pain in my right kidney), I’d definitely tested my stilt walking skills!
You who are looking for souvenirs to bring home have also come to the right place. There are stalls selling unique souvenirs along large sections of the road. At least when I visited, it looked a lot calmer shopping here than other places I walked by in the city.
There are also plenty of restaurants and cafés to drop by if you want to refill on food or drinks.
Explore more art in Hanoi
Art in various forms is deeply rooted in the Vietnamese culture. You can see it in their sense of aesthetics on almost everything. From how they decorate their buildings to the interior designs. Not to mention the beautiful flower bouquets sold by the street vendors in Hanoi. And much, much more.
Just like with everything else in Hanoi, there is a mix of modern and traditional in the city’s art scene.
Are you more interested in edible culture? Learn all you need to know about Hanoi’s fascinating food culture here.
The Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural
Phung Hung Street isn’t the only place to see epic street art. Did you know Hanoi holds the Guinness World Record for the largest ceramic mosaic? The mosaic murals stretch along the walls of the Red River dike system for no less than 6,5 kilometres. It was created to celebrate Hanoi’s millennium anniversary in 20210 and is surely a place not to miss if you are into urban art!
Water Puppet Show
In Vietnam, water puppetry as an art form dates back to the 11th century. It rose as a form of entertainment on the rice fields in the Red River Delta, mainly during special celebrations. And later it was adopted to the dynasty’s Imperial Citadel in Hanoi. Accompanied by traditional music, the water puppet theatre tell stories from history and folklore. You can experience this at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre every day year-round.
Museums and galleries
Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts is a must for all art lovers. It presents art from different historical eras, from ancient to modern. This is at least on my list of places to visit next time I’m in Hanoi!
Vietnamese Women’s Museum is another highly rated museum in Hanoi. Here, you can learn about the role of women in the long-stretched country, but also see examples of costumes, silk painting and other types of folklore.
In addition to the museums, there are smaller galleries spread throughout the city. Pop in when you pass one or simply type in art gallery on Google Maps.
Just a small trigger warning at the end
You’ve probably heard that dog meat is eaten in Vietnam. And while you likely won’t see much (or any of it) on your Vietnam trip, Phung Hung Street is one of the places you may. There are some stalls selling dog meat at the end of the street. So if you don’t want’t to experience it, keep your eyes on the murals and enter and exit by the Phe La – Hang Cot Café. See map above for exact location.
Are you planning a trip to Vietnam?
Check out my itinerary for 3 weeks in Vietnam, going from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City and covering some of the best nature and culture this part of the country has to offer with time to also relaxe on the beach.
