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The world’s longest mosaic, in Hanoi
One of the most curious things to see in Hanoi often goes unnoticed by many visitors — it’s not among the city’s most famous sights, but it’s well worth a short walk to explore at least part of it.
We say “part” because this place stretches nearly 4 kilometers — it is, no less, the longest mosaic in the world, and you’ll find it in Vietnam’s capital.
The mosaic runs along one of Hanoi’s avenues, very close to the city’s old quarter. Its low profile is probably down to the fact that it lines a big avenue with the capital’s typical traffic, which slightly dampens the charm and comfort of the visit.
Along this colorful mosaic you’ll find all kinds of scenes, most of them depicting Vietnam’s history, culture and traditions — and some sections were even created from children’s drawings.
History of the Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic
The story of this ceramic mosaic is relatively recent: construction began in 2007. Hundreds of artists from around the world took part, and it was completed in 2010 for the celebration of Hanoi’s 1,000th anniversary.
The idea came from a local journalist, who proposed transforming the city’s dike wall into a ceramic mosaic — an idea that earned her the city’s architecture prize.
Thanks to its length, it holds the Guinness World Record as the longest ceramic mosaic in the world. And it hasn’t stopped there: new sections have been added since, stretching it even further.
Where is the Hanoi mosaic?
- You can visit at any time, as it runs along a central avenue (Tran Quang Khai street, by the Old Quarter).
- We recommend going early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the midday heat.
