The beauty of Vietnam’s iconic bridges

By Huynh Phuong, Hoang Phong, Tran Minh Luong   September 4, 2021 | 01:38 am PT
These aerial shots taken by a Can Tho-based engineer depicts a series of symbolic bridges n Vietnam’s biggest cities and popular tourism hubs.
The beauty of Vietnam’s iconic bridges

Cable-stayed Nhat Tan Bridge, also known as Vietnam - Japan Friendship Bridge, was inaugurated in January 2015. It runs a length of 8.9 kilometers (5.5 miles) over the Red River and has five spans representing the capital's five ancient gates.

It cost VND13.6 trillion ($598 million), drawn from Japan’s official development assistance (ODA) and the Vietnamese government's budget.

The bridge, connecting Tay Ho District with Dong Anh District, opened to traffic together with Nhat Tan - Noi Bai Highway, shortening the travel time between Noi Bai International Airport and central Hanoi from one hour to 30 minutes.

The beauty of Vietnam’s iconic bridges

Hoang Van Thu Bridge in Hai Phong City, around two hours east of Hanoi, is virtually deserted at 5 a.m. on Feb. 28, 2020. The 1.5-kilometer bridge crossing Cam River, inspired by the wings of a seabird, was inaugurated in 2019 after three years of construction.

The VND2.1 trillion bridge funded by the municipal budget has helped boost socio-economic development of the northern port city.

The beauty of Vietnam’s iconic bridges

Cable-stayed Bai Chay Bridge in Ha Long Town of Quang Ninh Province, home to world-famous Ha Long Bay, was opened to traffic in 2006 after three years of construction. It connects Hon Gai and Bai Chay in Ha Long Town, home to beautiful beaches and luxury resorts.

The bridge serves as the main traffic axis of the Hanoi - Hai Phong - Quang Ninh economic triangle that contributes to socio-economic development of the northeast region.

The beauty of Vietnam’s iconic bridges

Truong Tien Bridge that crosses the Huong (Perfume) River in Hue is lit up with shimmering lights on the night of the flower lantern festival on June 30, 2019.

Built in 1899 during the reign of King Thanh Thai, the 10th Nguyen Dynasty ruler, the 400-meter bridge was designed by Gustave Eiffel, the architect who designed the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Statue of Liberty in New York.

It has undergone several repairs after damage caused by natural disasters and wartime bombing.

The beauty of Vietnam’s iconic bridges

Dragon Bridge spanning the Han River is a symbol of Da Nang in central Vietnam.

The bridge opened to traffic on March 29, 2013, marking the 38th anniversary of the liberation of Da Nang, and cost VND1.5 trillion to build. It is 666 meters long and 37.5 meters wide and has six lanes.

The modern bridge provides the shortest road link from Da Nang International Airport to other main roads in the city, and a direct route to beautiful beaches like My Khe and Non Nuoc on the eastern edge of the city.

The bridge was designed and built in the shape of a dragon. It breathes fire and water every Saturday and Sunday night at 9 p.m., and makes the city shine at night thanks to 15,000 LED lights.

The beauty of Vietnam’s iconic bridges

A floating lantern festival on the Hoai River near An Hoi Bridge in Quang Nam Province on June 27, 2019. An Hoi Bridge connecting Hoi An ancient town and Nguyen Phuc Chu Street, is mainly pedestrian, with ancient architecture decorated with old carp patterns dating from the 16th century.

The biggest highlight of the ancient town is the lantern festival held on the 14th day of each lunar month, when people gather on An Hoi Bridge to release colorful lanterns onto the river.

The beauty of Vietnam’s iconic bridges

The 2.75-kilometer-long cable-stayed Can Tho Bridge over the Hau River, the largest tributary of the Mekong, opened to traffic in 2010 after six years of construction.

The bridge linking Can Tho City and Vinh Long Province is an iconic symbol of Mekong Delta, Vietnam's agriculture and aquaculture hub.

The beauty of Vietnam’s iconic bridges

The first pedestrian bridge in Can Tho, nearly 200 meters long and 7.2 meters wide, was inaugurated five years ago at a cost of nearly VND50 billion and is now a popular tourist attraction in the city.

Can Tho, the largest economic hub in Mekong Delta, lies at an intersection of canal and river networks that measure a total 1,157 kilometers.

The beauty of Vietnam’s iconic bridges

Vam Cong Bridge opened to traffic in 2019 after six years of construction and is the second cable-stayed bridge over the Hau River after Can Tho Bridge. It has helped increase connectivity throughout the Mekong Delta while boosting socio-economic development in the region.

Vam Cong Bridge stretches nearly three kilometers between Dong Thap Province and Can Tho. The $271 million bridge was built with South Korean ODA.

Photos by Tran Minh Luong

 
 
go to top