Quang Trung Statue in Quang Trung Park (Quy Nhon City) was built in 1976. Because of its old age, concrete cover layer of the statue degrades very much. Blocks of the concrete cover layer rub off, showing steel core frame out. Authorized organizations has been recently implemented a plan of upgrading the statue. Accordingly, new bronze statute will be re-moulded.

Perspective of Quang Trung Statue after being upgraded.

In order to preserve its formality and harmony with surrounding landscape, Quang Trung Park will be narrowed down. Flower gardens around the statue will be upgraded and rebuilt at new height of 1,34m. Only grasses and flowers will be planted there. Fountains around base of the statue and street lamps will be re-installed.

Design of new Quang Trung Statue will be drawn out with consultancy of Arts and Interior-Outdoor Decoration Centre, Cultural Work Import-Export, Ministry of Culture-Information and contribution of Luu Giang Thanh painter (Ha Noi), composer of the design. Craftmen at  Ngu Xa Village (Ha Noi City) where is famous for its bronze moulding industry will take charge of moulding the statue. At present, Ngu Xa craftmen and technicians of Arts and Interior-Outdoor Decoration Centre are platering gypsums outside the statue. The gypsum coat will be transported to Ha Noi then for re-moulding of a gymsum statue. After that, a refractory mould will be made as preparation for bronze moulding. The bronze statue will be transported to Quy Nhon. Total budget to upgrade Quang Trung Statue is estimatedly 7-8 billion VND. The programme is expected to finish in July 2007, ready for Tay Son-Binh Dinh Festival.

The old statue will be relocated at Quang Trung Museum (in Tay Son District) and then erected in a certain suitable place like Quang Trung-Nguyen Hue school or at a house in Phu Lac village - maternal homeland of three Tay Son brothers.

• Reported by Khai Nhan
• Translated by To Uyen