Turtle Lake has changed again.

After more than a week of renovations to welcome the Year of the Horse, Turtle Lake continues to "change its look" as the controversial green color is adjusted to gray.

The blue staircase was replaced with a gray one after receiving mixed reactions from the public. Photo: Linh Huynh .

According to observations by Tri Thức - Znews on the morning of February 1st, the staircase leading to the central area of ​​Turtle Lake (Xuan Hoa Ward, former District 3) - previously painted green to match the overall design - has now been changed to a silver-gray color. The handrails have been painted yellow, combined with pots of blooming chrysanthemums, creating a subtle accent and making the structure more harmonious with the surrounding space.

Earlier, at the end of January, the Turtle Lake area unexpectedly appeared with a new look, sporting a dominant turquoise color. This was the result of renovations and beautification efforts aimed at serving locals and tourists during the Lunar New Year.

The implemented items include repainting the central tower yellow, renovating sidewalks and flowerbeds, and planting additional trees. Sections of roads around the area, curbs, and pedestrian walkways have also been repainted to create a more open space. In addition, the construction unit has added artificial apricot and peach blossoms, decorative boats, and various fresh flowers to enhance the spring atmosphere.

However, the new shade of blue quickly sparked controversy. Some people felt the color was too different from their familiar memories of Turtle Lake – which was associated with the gray of concrete and the natural green of the surrounding area.

The final decorative touches are being rushed to completion in time for locals and tourists to celebrate Tet (Lunar New Year). Photo: Linh Huynh.

Upon returning to Turtle Lake after days of following the debate on social media, Minh Tri (a resident of Binh Trung ward) was quite surprised to see that the staircase had changed color.

"Whether a color is beautiful or ugly is just a matter of personal perception and preference. I don't think the old green color is bad, but it's too new, too different. For people who have lived here for a long time, that change makes them lose their sense of familiarity. But tourists from other places might find it normal," Tri shared.

According to him, changing the staircase to gray helps the overall structure harmonize better with the surrounding landscape. He also appreciated the construction company's willingness to listen to feedback from residents.

The image of Turtle Lake, taken on January 29th, shows the steps painted blue. Photo: Hoai Bao.

However, he believes that public space renovation projects should seek expert opinions from the outset, or even organize community consultations through online surveys and polls.

"It's like 'making changes halfway through a project,' which is both time-consuming and costly," he said.

The tower has been repainted yellow, giving it the appearance of a blooming flower in the middle of the roundabout. Photo: Linh Huynh.

Located at the intersection of Pham Ngoc Thach, Tran Cao Van, and Vo Van Tan streets, Turtle Lake – officially known as International Square – is one of the landmarks associated with the urban memory of Saigon. The structure was built between 1965 and 1967, initially consisting of a small lake and a bronze statue of three soldiers.

In the 1970s, the site was restored, becoming an iconic landmark with five petal-shaped concrete pillars, an octagonal fountain, and a statue of a turtle carrying a stone stele in the center. Although the turtle and the stele were destroyed in an explosion in 1976, the name "Turtle Lake" is still used by locals as a way to preserve the memory.

For the upcoming Lunar New Year (Year of the Horse), the city is undertaking renovations and beautification projects in seven areas, including the square in front of Ben Thanh Market, Turtle Lake, Phu Dong intersection, and the streets of Nguyen Hue, Dong Khoi, Ham Nghi, and Hai Ba Trung. Work began on January 17th and is expected to be completed before February 10th (the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month).

Source: https://znews.vn/ho-con-rua-lai-thay-doi-post1624453.html