Many of 100 sculptures located along Huong River in Hue City have been stolen or seriously deteriorated.

Hue held five international sculpture camps in 1998, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008 producing 140 works. Most of the pieces were put on display at parks along Huong River.

However, to date, many statues have disappeared and are suspected to have been stolen, while others have become seriously damaged.

Dozens of sculptures located at Thuy Tien Tourist Resort are in very bad condition with layers of dirt and moss. Some have been vandalised, including the work Melody of Friendship by Indian artist Sushil Sakhuja.

The Thuy Tien Tourist Resort which was granted an VND70 billion investment license was left idle for more than a decade.

A sculpture at Thuy Tien Tourist Resort

At March 2 Park, several works, including those by foreign artists, have been stolen. Some are even surrounded by a steel fence to avoid being vandalised.

The same situation is also seen at a park in the north of Huong River. Nguyen Hien sculpture which featured decorative patterns made of stainless steel was stolen. Meanwhile, others have been damaged.

Another sculpture covered with trees at Thuy Tien tourist resort

Lots of statues at Tam Giang Tourist Resort in Phu Vang District have also disappeared.

According to sculptor Nguyen Hien who was part the previous sculpture camp organising committee, all of the sculptures were handed over to Hue Park and Green Tree Company for management, but the company lacks experience in this area and also lack funds for repairing the statues.

Nguyen Can, the company director, said that Thua Thien-Hue Province’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism proposed the construction of an international sculpture garden to better protect them.