(VNF) - The beautifully painted manhole covers popping up in Hanoi’s Trang Tien Street as an effort to raise awareness about environmental protection and urban beauty.

Manhole covers on have become relics of the past, replaced by colorful murals on August 5^th.

Sometimes, the difference between a pleasant, livable city and a stressful one comes down to the details, things you might barely even notice but that influence you almost subconsciously. Youngters in Hanoi, who are conscious of the importance of environment protection, have gotten at least one of these details down pat, by intricate and beautiful decorations in one of the city’s most forgotten places: the lowly manhole cover.

The project was initiated by Viet Future Education Investment Joint Stock Company, with Hanoi’s students serving as the primary artists for the campaign.

It aims to raise awareness of the community towards environmental protection and mobilise people into gradually changing their behaviour.

They believes the beautiful manhole covers, as well as walls featuring colorful murals, will encourage more walking amongst local residents.

“Residents will also feel the need to keep the street clean,” they said.

Earlier in May, around 30 manhole covers in District 5, Ho Chi Minh City have been turned into streetside paintings by art students as part of a programme to raise awareness of the city’s battle against litter./.

Minh Chau