Nguyen Thi Ngoc Diep, vice-chairwoman of the Can Tho City People's Committee, on Friday met with Bo Cong Anh Creative Co., Ltd., the project's consulting firm, to review a proposed lighting and public art design for the Ninh Kieu-Cai Rang tourism route, as well as a plan to preserve and develop Cai Rang Floating Market.

At the meeting, the consulting firm presented concepts for decorative lighting and artistic installations on bridges along the Can Tho River, stretching from Ninh Kieu Ward to Phong Dien Commune.

The bridges include Quang Trung, Hung Loi, Tran Hoang Na, Cai Rang, Vam Xang, and Tay Do.

Under the proposal, the undersides and supporting columns of the bridges would feature murals and decorative motifs depicting different stories.

At night, the installations would be illuminated to create eye-catching landmarks for visitors.

In particular, Cai Rang Bridge, the bridge closest to the famous floating market, would feature relief sculptures illustrating the daily life of traders at Cai Rang Floating Market.

The artwork would use a vintage color palette to reflect the market's cultural heritage.

For Cai Rang Floating Market itself, the consulting firm also proposed repainting riverside homes, refurbishing the colors of traders' boats and passenger boats, and creating new photo spots along the embankment.

Suggested attractions include floating platforms shaped like a traditional Vietnamese string instrument and water lily leaves, along with decorative replicas of cay beo – the bamboo poles used by floating vendors to display the goods they sell.

Speaking at the meeting, Diep suggested adding each bridge's name beneath the bridge deck, rather than only on the bridge railing as proposed, making it easier for visitors to identify the locations in photos and helping promote the city more effectively.

She also requested that the murals and decorative motifs on the bridge columns be revised to better reflect the culture of Vietnam’s southern region and Can Tho in particular.

She emphasized that the materials used should ensure the installations remain durable for at least five years.

"The city hopes Cai Rang Floating Market can attract visitors during both the day and at night,” Diep said.

Decorating the bridges will take time because public investment procedures are lengthy, but repainting the boats at the floating market can begin immediately, she added.

She suggested the consulting firm seek sponsorship from paint suppliers, while the city would direct local authorities to encourage boat owners to participate voluntarily, with the work beginning on those who agree first.

According to Diep, July 9 marked the 10th anniversary of Cai Rang Floating Market being recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, and giving the floating market a new look is the city's way of marking the milestone.

Below are the consulting firm's proposed concepts for the project: