With a dense system of rivers and islands in Vietnam, you can see hundreds of bridges from the north to the south in this country.
Today, in the following articles, Vietnamdrive will mention three types of bridges in Vietnam that you may like to see.
Let’s see them now!
The top 5 longest bridges in Vietnam
1. Dinh Vu – Cat Hai Bridge
Length: 5,400 m, Crossing: Sea, Location: Hai Phong
The longest bridge in Vietnam holds the record for Dinh Vu – Cat Hai bridge, also known as Tan Vu – Lach Huyen, in Hai Phong city.
The bridge was started construction in 2014 and inaugurated in 2017, with a total investment of 11,849 billion Vietnam dong. This is a combined project between Japan and Vietnam.
After being inaugurated, Cat Hai Bridge has the effect of promoting traffic in the vicinity of Hai Phong city, creating favorable conditions for tourism development for the famous tourist destination of Cat Ba Island.
2. Vinh Thinh Bridge
Length: 4480m, Crossing: The Red River, Location: Hanoi
Vinh Thinh Bridge is the longest river-crossing bridge in Vietnam, inaugurated in 2014, connecting Son Tay town (Hanoi city) with Vinh Tuong district (Vinh Phuc province).
Vinh Thinh Bridge is the result of cooperation between Vietnam and Korea, with a total investment of 137 million USD, of which Korea’s ODA is 100 million, 37 million USD is the counterpart capital of Vietnam.
With a width of 16.5m, Vinh Thinh Bridge has 4 lanes, designed with a maximum speed of 80km/h. This bridge has an important meaning in connecting traffic between the Hanoi capital and the northwestern provinces such as Vinh Phuc, Phu Tho, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, and Tuyen Quang.
3. Nhat Tan Bridge
Length: 3,900 m, Crossing: The Red River, Location: Hanoi
Nhat Tan Bridge with a length of 3,900m crosses the Red River connecting Tay Ho District (Hanoi) and Vinh Ngoc Commune (Dong Anh District, Hanoi). The bridge is designed in a modern cable-stayed style with 6 main spans.
Nhat Tan Bridge started construction in 2009 and was inaugurated in 2015, with a total investment of over 13,620 billion VND. Funds are mobilized from Japan’s ODA and Vietnam’s reciprocal capital.
With 5 main pillars of the bridge representing 5 old gates in Hanoi, Nhat Tan Bridge makes the traffic from Hanoi center to Noi Bai international airport more convenient. At the same time, it creates the connection of the city center with the northern industrial areas.
4. Vinh Tuy Bridge
Length: 3778m, Crossing: Red River, Location: Hanoi
Vinh Tuy Bridge has a length of 3,778m, crossing the Red River, connecting Hai Ba Trung and Long Bien districts (Hanoi). The bridge has a width of more than 19m, the maximum design speed is 60 km/h.
Vinh Tuy Bridge was started building in 2005 and opened to traffic in 2009, with an investment of VND 3,550 billion from Vietnam.
With an effort to connect traffic between the Hanoi capital and surrounding areas easily, Vinh Tuy Bridge was born to meet the increasing transportation demand, helping to narrow the gap between the two banks of the Red River.
5. Thang Long Bridge
Length: 3,115m, Crossing: Red River, Location: Hanoi
Thang Long Bridge has a length of 3,115m, in the section of Bac Tu Liem district, Hanoi City. The bridge was built in 1974 and inaugurated in 1985, which is the bridge over the Red River with the longest building period.
This construction represents the friendship between Vietnam and the Soviet Union, because of the technical and technological support from the Soviet Union.
The special feature of Thang Long Bridge is that it has a 2-storey structure: the lower floor has a railway line and two sides are for rudimentary vehicles, the upper floor is a 15m wide car road.
In short, in the 5 longest bridges in Vietnam mentioned above, there are 4 bridges located in Hanoi that cross the Red River. It is because the Red River is one of the largest rivers in Vietnam. It is thanks to these bridges that have contributed to reducing the distance between the two banks, promoting economy and tourism.
The top 5 most beautiful bridges in Vietnam
In the section on the most beautiful bridges in Vietnam, we choose 5 typical bridges from our own perspective. We arrange by layout:
- Where it is
- Year to be built
- Why is it beautiful, or what is outstanding?
Let’s see what they are!
1. Trang Tien Bridge (Hue)
Trang Tien Bridge crosses the Perfume River in the beautiful city center of Hue, connecting Hung Vuong Street on the south bank with Tran Hung Dao Street on the north bank.
The bridge was built in 1897 and completed in 1899, considered the first bridge across the Perfume River. Formerly known as Truong Tien; but, the two names Truong Tien and Trang Tien are still called by the locals for the bridge to this day.
In terms of itself, Trang Tien Bridge is not beautiful; However, it is the charm because of its history, because it is in the right place where it should be, staying with the peaceful Perfume River. Every night, the colorful lights on the bridge reflecting on the sparkling river make the space and the whole bridge more romantic and shimmering.
2. Dragon Bridge (Da Nang)
Dragon Bridge crosses the Han River in the middle of Da Nang city, connecting Nguyen Van Linh street in the west and Vo Van Kiet Street in the east. The bridge helps traffic from the international airport to hotels along beautiful beaches in Danang more convenient.
Dragon Bridge has started construction in 2009 and was completed in 2013, becoming the 6th bridge across the Han River of this coastal city.
True to its name, the bridge is designed with the shape of a dragon gliding in the middle of the bridge. The tail in the est, the dragon’s head is facing the sea with the desire of Da Nang city to reach far and develop strongly. Every night on weekends, you can admire the dragon spitting fire and water. Dragon Bridge is valued to have a beautiful and unique design in the world.
3. Golden Bridge (Da Nang)
Golden Bridge is one of the few bridges that do not cross any rivers or sea estuaries, but it is located on the top of Ba Na mountain, 30 km northwest of Da Nang city center.
The Golden Bridge, also known as the Hand Bridge, was built in 2017 and put into use in 2018. Cau Vang in Vietnamese is at an altitude of 1,400 meters above sea level.
Since it was put into use, many visitors have been fascinated by the design of the bridge with beautiful curves, supported by two giant hands. When walking on the bridge, you will feel you are nailed in the middle of the space, blending between the clouds – the sky and the vast green of the mountains and forests.
Beautiful photos attached to the Golden Bridge in Da Nang have crossed the border of Vietnam to friends in five continents.
4. Long Bien Bridge (Hanoi)
Long Bien Bridge is one of the rare bridges in Vietnam with historical value, connecting the two districts of Hoan Kiem and Long Bien of Hanoi city.
This bridge was built by the French in 1898 – 1902 with its original name Doumer.
Like the Trang Tien bridge in Hue, the Long Bien bridge is not beautiful compared to today’s new and modern bridges. But Long Bien is the historical witness, and the first bridge to cross the Red River.
This bridge in the eyes of many people who like the classic look is a great place for them to take beautiful photos. So, if you have the opportunity, please stop by Long Bien Bridge to discover the specific beauty of its ancient features.
5. Bai Chay Bridge (Ha Long)
Bai Chay Bridge spans the Cuu Luc River, formed from a strait of Ha Long Bay. The bridge is located on the National Highway 18 (QL 18) connecting the two parts of Ha Long city, Quang Ninh province, Vietnam.
Bai Chay bridge was built in 2003 and put into use in 2006. The bridge deck is 25.5 meters wide, has 4 lanes and two pedestrian lanes on both sides of the bridge to help pedestrians can see the city and the beauty of Ha Long Bay.
The bridge is especially prominent at night because of its twinkling colored lights. If seen from afar, its columns and cable-stayed lines look like the sails of the beautiful cruises in Ha Long Bay. Bai Chay Bridge helps to decorate Ha Long city at night more colorful and poetic.
The top 5 old covered bridges in Vietnam
Here is the part to mention about the top old covered bridges in Vietnam. You will find the structure in each section, including the place where it is, the date, and its highlight.
1. Japanese Covered Bridge (Hoi An)
Japanese covered bridge, also known as the Pagoda Bridge, is located in the center of Hoi An ancient town, connecting Tran Phu street in the east and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai street in the west.
The bridge was built in the 16th century with a wooden structure with a tiled roof. Next to the bridge, there is a temple worshiping the god Bac De Tran Vu who can control wind and storm, so the locals call it Chua Cau meaning the Pagoda Bridge. The two names Chua Cau and Cau Nhat Ban (Japanese Covered Bridge) are used in parallel until now.
The gentle beauty and historical significance of the bridge have been one of the must-see attractions in Hoi An. It has become the perfect background for beautiful photos to show your friends about your trip to Hoi An old town.
2. Thanh Toan Tile Bridge (Hue)
Thanh Toan Tile Bridge is 7 km to the east of Hue city center, crossing a small canal to be easier for locals to travel.
Thanh Toan Tile Bridge was built in 1776, estimated over 250 years, but the structure of the bridge is still intact, still used by people to walk back and forth in this area.
With ancient architectural structures plus peaceful countryside, Thanh Toan Tile Bridge attracts many tourists to visit. The highlight of this covered bridge is the decoration of porcelain on both sides, the rustic yin and yang tile roof, solid wooden structure. At noon, people come to sit under the bridge to cool off.
3. Phat Diem Covered Bridge (Ninh Binh)
About 30km from Ninh Binh city center, Phat Diem Covered Bridge is still quietly reflecting on the An River, located in the center of Phat Diem town, Kim Son district, Ninh Binh province, Vietnam.
This bridge was built in 1902 and classified as a group of relatively intact ancient covered bridges in Vietnam.
The beauty of Phat Diem Tile Bridge lies in its simple architecture, slightly curved shape, roofed with nice tiles. Compared with the Thanh Toan Tile bridge in Hue and the Japanese covered bridge in Hoi An, Phat Diem Tile Bridge has softer, more elegant features.
4. Cho Thuong Covered Bridge (Nam Dinh)
Cho Thuong Covered Bridge is in Thuong Nong Village, Binh Minh Commune, Nam Truc District, Nam Dinh Province, Vietnam. This bridge is ranked as a national historical and cultural relic.
Cho Thuong Tile Bridge was built about 300 years ago, in the 18th century with an overall length of 17.35 meters, crossing the Ngoc River.
The abutments of the Cho Thuong bridge are delicately designed and built of stone. Above the bridgehead, there are horns that look familiar, but also exude majesty power.
Although the bridge has quite simple motifs, it shows harmony in the overall ancient architecture. From afar, this bridge looks like a dragon swooping.
5. Luong Pagoda Covered Bridge (Nam Dinh)
Luong Pagoda Covered Bridge is in Hai Anh Commune, Hai Hau District, Nam Dinh Province, Vietnam, crossing a small river near Luong pagoda, so people call it Luong pagoda covered bridge.
The bridge was built in the 17th century, and in 1922 the bridge underwent a major restoration, but still retains the original beauty and ancient architecture.
Overall, the covered bridge of Luong Pagoda is similar to the Tile Bridge in Cho Thuong and also has the image of a dragon wanting to fly. In particular, next to the bridge there is a flamboyant tree, every summer when the flowers bloom, they add red colors to beautify the hundreds-year-old bridge.
With hundreds of bridges in Vietnam, each of them has its own beauty and specific architecture. More and more modern bridges have been built to improve traffic to different places in Vietnam.
Vietnamdrive hopes you find this article useful to plan your journey to explore Vietnam as well as the bridges in this lovely country.