A lake in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City now sports a stunning look thanks to the "7 Up To Diem Viet Nam" (7 Up Beautifies Vietnam) campaign, a project that kicked off in the city in March.

The bed of the Con Rua (Turtle) Lake in District 1 has been cleaned, and the surrounding park area has been given a new coat, with new embellishments.

With the theme "Feels Food to Be You", the campaign aims to give local structures a fresh, dynamic appearance. The entire area has been painted and adorned with impressive street art.

Stone benches were also put into place so that visitors or passersby could rest or chat.

A richly coloured fountain with a LED lighting system lights up the night sky with colourful lights. Gone are the days when visitors were driven away from the area by the foul odors of urination or defecation.

Officially named "Cong Truong Quoc Te" (International Public Square) by the city, Con Rua Lake serves as a water-fountain roundabout where Vo Van Tan, Pham Ngoc Thach and Tran Cao Van streets converge.

Built between 1965 and 1967, the structure is of historical and cultural significance.

The octagonal lake is divided into smaller spaces by crossing sections above the surface, and boasts surrounding park areas frequented by young people and tourists. Some also stroll or sit leisurely at the crossing sections.

The project to spruce up Con Rua Lake is the second of the campaign.

The first project saw a makeover of a dormitory at the HCM City University of Economics.

Vietkings, a Vietnamese records organisation, has recognised it as the country's greenest dorm.-VNA