With all the rivers and waterways in Vietnam it’s no surprise that there so many noteworthy bridges. Whether admiring from afar, or crossing their secure path, these are some of the most famous bridges in the country. One even spits fire! Another triumph of architecture requires a gondola to reach.
Han River Bridge – Da Nang
The Han River Bridge, located in Da Nang, is known throughout Vietnam as the ‘’people’s bridge”. Constructed by Vietnamese architects and engineers, it serves as a monument for the native citizens’ resourcefulness and ingenuity. The Han River Bridge was opened in 2000 and is Vietnam’s only cable-stayed swing bridge. Spanning 487 m long, the structure …
List + Map of Famous Bridges in Vietnam
From Da Nang’s popular Dragon Bridge that draws nightly visitors to Hoi An’s classic Japanese covered bridge, there are a lot of manmade landmarks to marvel. Some of these bridges like the latter are for pedestrians only, while others are open to cars and motorbikes, or maybe even trains.
Guide to Unique and Historic Vietnamese Bridges
The myriad of Vietnamese bridges are remarkable structures, as many of them serve as centerpieces for the cities they are based in. Since the country has so many rivers and bodies of water throughout the land, bridges are practical ways to keep everything running smoothly while accentuating the region’s culture through some architecture.
Many Vietnam bridges are also popular tourist attractions and vary in age, size, and looks.
Popular Bridges
Several destinations in Vietnam have impressive bridges to visit, but Da Nang is one town that is known for having many unique ones crossing the Han River. The city’s bridges are attractive and have fun features that draw in both local and visiting crowds.
There are ten bridges in Da Nang, but the Dragon Bridge is the longest one at 2,185 feet and is recognizable for its Ly Dynasty dragon figure that spreads across the river on the bridge’s base. On weekends, thousands of LED lights illuminate the dragon, which also shoots fire from his mouth at certain times of the evening. On special occasions, the dragon will also spray water and put on a show for the audience.
The Han River Bridge also attracts many tourists to see its impressive swinging feature, used to assist with boat traffic, while it also lights up the area with thousands of bright LED bulbs.
Up in the mountains, the Golden Bridge is popular among pedestrians, who find walking on this bridge an enlightening experience. It offers breathtaking views of the Ba Na Hills, nature, and impressive architecture. Locals also frequent this bridge, as it’s a favorite spot for wedding photos.
One of the most visited attractions in Hoi An is the Japanese Covered Bridge, a building that was constructed over 400 years ago and holds a lot of history. The bridge was initially designed to unify the multiple cultures that inhabited the area, as connects the Japanese and Chinese communities in the region. Located in the Old Town quarters, the bridge only allows up to 20 crossers at a time to help preserve the structure.
Visiting Bridges
Due to how unique most of the bridges in Vietnam are, it’s wise to do some research ahead of time to see the best way to visit them. Certain bridges are exclusively for automobile crossing, while others are restricted to just pedestrians. Some of the bridges with special lighting and features only put on a show at certain times of day, so some planning is required to see them in action and where to view them from.
