Horse mascot cluster in Quang Tri vandalized

Many statues in the horse mascot cluster in Lao Bao commune, Quang Tri, had their heads broken, and legs and tails severed by vandals, causing public outrage.

Tran Anh Vu, Chairman of Lao Bao Commune People's Committee, Quang Tri province, confirmed on 12/3 that the "Ma dao thanh cong" horse mascot cluster at Tam Thuy lake suffered severe damage from external impact. The damage was first noticed on the afternoon of 11/3, with initial minor harm to some mascots. Local authorities had intended to arrange repairs. However, by the morning of 12/3, the vandalism escalated significantly, with all eight statues in the cluster sustaining damage.

The horse mascot cluster was heavily vandalized, with many parts missing. *Photo: NKT*

Examination of the display area revealed extensive damage to the horse mascots. Many statues had their heads broken off, legs severed, or tails cut. Fragments of composite and foam materials were scattered across the tiled ground. The nature of the breaks indicated deliberate acts of chopping or striking with a hard object, ruling out natural causes like weather. Further damage included the decorative "Xuan Binh Ngo" inscription, which also showed signs of being deliberately smashed and deformed. The area is currently cordoned off for investigation. Leaders of Lao Bao commune confirmed the deliberate nature of the vandalism, and commune police are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby residences and roads leading into the park to identify suspects.

The exhibition area of the horse mascot cluster was scattered with many fragments. *Photo: NKT*

The "Ma dao thanh cong" (Horses Returning Successfully) cluster, a symbol of good fortune, features eight horse statues ranging from 2 m to 3,5 m in height. Artist Dinh Van Tam crafted the statues with over 400 million VND in socialized funding. Unveiled in late January, the cluster quickly became a popular attraction, especially during the Lunar New Year (Tet Nguyen Dan) holiday. The mascots were planned to remain on display until 30/4 to welcome visitors during the upcoming holiday season.

The vandalism of the statue cluster has sparked regret among local residents and tourists alike, as the mascots were considered a prominent landmark of Lao Bao commune. Local authorities are now developing plans for the repair and restoration of the damaged statues and are enhancing protection of public property in the area to prevent future incidents.