Lotus Murals: A Welcome Blossom at Noi Bai Airport

Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy's Award-Winning Design Transforms Airport Facades into Lotus Gardens

Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy, who previously won the Bronze of IDA for the Tropical Garden Mural at Danang International Airport and Silver ADesign Award for the Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mirror House, embarked on the Twin Lotus Murals project in 2018. After careful consideration of the available space at the terminal, Thuy selected the two outdoor facades with reflecting pools as the location for the murals, envisioning a tranquil lotus garden to welcome weary travelers.

The Twin Lotus Murals are unique in their concept and execution. Thuy proposed the idea of painting two lotus murals on the east and west wings of the new modern T2 terminal to the directorate of Noi Bai International airport. The airport, recognizing the passion and boldness of Thuy's idea, commissioned the artwork for its facades. Now, as travelers arrive at the airport terminal T2, they are greeted by two huge Lotus murals with vibrant colors and lively lotus flowers and leaves. The reflection of the murals on glass and water ponds adds an extra dimension to the artwork.

The realization of the Twin Lotus Murals was a feat of technical and artistic skill. To paint a mural of this size, measuring 15m high x 24m wide, required an eight-story scaffolding. Thuy and ten artists from the New Hanoi Arts company collaborated on their painting technique, creating flower by flower, leaf by leaf, in a unified style. Special weatherproof Dulux paint ensured the mural retained its true color for years. The painting was completed in November and December 2018.

Thuy's attention to detail was critical in the creation of the murals. One of the first and most important steps in the process was to take Thuy's original sketch, which was 1.5m2, and scale it to 360m2. The outline of the enlarged sketch was transferred to the east and west wing walls, each measuring 15m high and 24m wide. Refined painting skills allowed each artist on the team to work independently, with careful oversight by Thuy, to ensure successful completion.

The Twin Lotus Murals have transformed the experience of arriving at Terminal 2. Travelers are initially astonished by the sheer size of the lotus mural, amazed by the stunning reflection in the water and in the windows, which increases the size by four times. The beauty of the murals offers a unique encounter with nature, providing a calming and refreshing welcome to Hanoi.

The Twin Lotus Murals project was completed in early 2019, following a year of planning and execution. The project was a testament to Thuy's vision and commitment to enhancing public spaces with art and design. The murals, which reflect the cultural beauty of Vietnam, have been appreciated by millions of travelers each year since their completion. The Twin Lotus Murals were awarded the Golden in A' Social Design Award in 2019, a testament to Thuy's prodigious talent and wisdom.