Hoi An's Pagoda Bridge new look causes mixed reactions

By Tuan Anh July 29, 2024 | 01:19 am PT

Tourists pose with the new look of the Pagoda Bridge in Hoi An ancient city on July 28, 2024. Photo courtesy of Hoi An Cultural Heritage Conservation Center

The newly renovated Chua Cau (Japanese Pagoda Bridge), a historic landmark in the central ancient city of Hoi An, has elicited varied responses from the public.

Le Huy Tuan, 45, from Da Nang, visited Hoi An on Sunday and expressed his "disappointment" upon seeing the newly restored 400-year-old bridge. He felt the renovation made the bridge look "out of place" within the old town. Tuan remarked: "If all relics in Hoi An were restored like that, the town would no longer be ancient."

"The old and new structures overlap, neither old nor new," remarked a tourist from Quy Nhon. Bui Phuoc Quang, 42, a Hoi An resident, stated that "this appearance is too new" compared to the 1996 restoration.

In a Facebook group of Hoi An expats, many expressed disappointment, noting that the renovation made the tiles, walls, and other components look too new, diminishing the ancient charm.

After two years of restoration, the Pagoda Bridge has garnered attention due to its new paint color and repainted decorative patterns and Chinese characters.

The pillars of the relic remain mostly intact and have been painted a wood color. Inside, some damaged and rotten wooden frames have been entirely replaced.

Pham Phu Ngoc, director of Hoi An Cultural Heritage Conservation Center, stated that the restoration retained the original color without any additional painting. The restoration was based on the previous color, combined with survey results of similar traditional works in Hoi An.

"Over time, the Pagoda Bridge will return to its ancient, quiet features like the previous restorations," Ngoc added.

However, many people praised the relic’s new look

Nguyen Minh Duc, 34, a Hoi An resident, mentioned that any restoration project requires time to harmonize with its surroundings, and people have grown accustomed to the old appearance of the relic over centuries.

Thanh Hai, 28, a tour guide, expressed that the restoration was necessary. He frequently took tourists to the bridge and was well aware of its deteriorating condition. "Every time I passed by, I felt like it was about to collapse."

The Pagoda Bridge in Hoi An before restoration. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Dong

As a symbol of Hoi An tourism, the Pagoda Bridge faced severe deterioration and was at risk of collapse.

In 2022, Hoi An authorities approved a VND20 billion ($860,000) renovation plan to prevent potential collapse. The restored Pagoda Bridge is slated to reopen on Aug. 3.