When it comes to Vietnam, the first thing that comes to mind is most likely Pho and other Vietnamese dishes, temples, or even the gruesome war history. It is highly unlikely that one will think of architecture in this part of the world.
Let me change your mind through this article. Vietnam does offer its modern infrastructure in one of its cities. That city is called Da Nang. Located in Central Vietnam, Da Nang has attracted many expats and tourists from all over the world, and the beauty of these five bridges is one of the reasons why.
The two main areas of Da Nang are divided by a big river, the Han River. To connect them, the city built many bridges, including these five. Since driving in Da Nang can be a challenge, knowing which bridge to take to get to where you’re going is more than useful. Let’s learn more about them one by one!
Tien Son Bridge
Tien Son Bridge, or Cầu Tiên Sơn on Google Maps, is the southernmost bridge in Da Nang. If you take a look at the picture, you will not see anything special about this bridge. Tien Son Bridge is not here to offer Instagrammable spots, but it definitely plays an important part in connecting Da Nang to other areas in Vietnam. This bridge is a part of Da Nang’s biggest road, Lê Văn Hiến, that leads the metropolitan city to Hoi An and Hue, two other major destinations in Vietnam.
Tran Thi Ly Bridge
This bridge replaced another bridge called the Nguyen Van Troi, a smaller and older bridge you still can see beside this newer, bigger one. Tran Thi Ly Bridge connects Hai Chau and My An areas, known for their touristy restaurants and cafes. There is a unique islet called Khu biệt thự Đảo Xanh in Da Nang, filled with resorts and restaurants, surrounded by pretty waterfronts. And this bridge is the only way to get there.
Seen as Cầu Trần Thị Lý on Google Maps, this bridge is one of the few cable-stayed bridges in Southeast Asia. After dark, the bridge lights up in colorful neon lights. I recommend you to visit one of the coffee shops at the resort islet to enjoy the majestic view of Tran Tri Ly Bridge at night. Make sure to get the best seat overlooking the waterfront!
Thuan Phuoc Bridge
This northernmost bridge of Da Nang will remind you of the Golden Gate Bridge in California. Both are suspension bridges and spanning more than 6,000-foot long (around 1,850 meters). This is the longest bridge in Vietnam, connecting the mainland to the Son Tra area, where you can find the Monkey Mountain of Da Nang. To build Thuan Phuoc Bridge, Vietnam spent around 650 billion VND (about 42 million USD) and it took them more than 5 years to finish, and was completed in 2009.
Thuan Phuoc Bridge, or Cầu Thuận Phước on Google Maps, is not just the longest, but also the biggest among the five. It consists of four lanes, plus extra lanes for pedestrians and cyclists. Like Tran Thi Ly Bridge, this bridge also lights up at night with colorful neon lights that change over time. I recommend you to go to this bridge, and park your bike on the side to enjoy the view of the Da Nang skyline and city lights from afar.
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Han River Bridge
Located in the middle of Da Nang, Han River Bridge is important not only for drivers and pedestrians but also for shipping boats. If you stay out past midnight, you can see this bridge swing open to let boats through. But if you can’t make it to midnight, you still can enjoy the beauty of Han River Bridge with its colorful neon lights. Along the river, there are plenty of local food vendors that offer plastic chairs for their customers to enjoy Vietnamese street food overlooking the colorful bridge.
Han River Bridge, or Cầu Sông Hàn on Google Maps, is the first swing bridge in Vietnam. Opened in 2000, the bridge has colored Vietnamese skyline and history for decades.
Dragon Bridge
Last but definitely not least is the Dragon Bridge, or Cầu Rồng. This is not just the most popular bridge in Da Nang, Vietnam. This is also one of the most popular tourist attraction in the country. The newest among the five opened in 2013 coinciding with Da Nang’s liberation anniversary, Dragon Bridge is flocked by locals and tourists almost every night, and especially on weekends.
As the name suggests, the bridge’s popular feature is its dragon structure, spanning from one end to another, connecting the eastern part of the city with the beaches on the west. It also connects one of the busiest areas in Da Nang, where riverfront restaurants, cafes, and hotels line up.
On weekends, Dragon Bridge boasts its Fire Show at exactly 9 pm. It blows fire out of the dragon’s head three times and followed by one huge burst of water. It is definitely a sight you should not miss while you’re in town. You can watch the show from the bridge, but get ready to get a little wet. Keep in mind that the dragon’s head is located on the east part of the bridge, so make sure you pick the right side for the best view! I recommend you reserving a spot at 7 Bridges Brewing Company rooftop bar to enjoy the night with some of the best Vietnamese craft beer while enjoying an unobstructed view of the Fire Show. Read more about bars in Da Nang on “Bottoms Up! Top 5 Cafes And Bars In Da Nang, Vietnam”.
7 Bridges Brewing Company - Taproom
Address: 493 Đường Trần Hưng Đạo, An Hải Trung, Sơn Trà, Đà Nẵng 550000, Vietnam
Hours: 2 pm - 11:30 pm (daily)
Phone: +84 362 900 123
Website: 7 Bridges
No ordinary bridges
While most bridges in the world only connect two areas together, these bridges in Da Nang offers a lot more, especially for a true wanderlust such as yourself. So, go ahead and include these attractions in your itinerary and enjoy the view!
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