History and structure
For more than 100 years, Long Bien Bridge become a extremely familiar with Hanoians, and the local people often whispers about a short poet, which describes daily pace of life on this historical bridge in its golden age:
Hanoi has Long Bien Bridge
Long and wide across the Red River
Trains and vehicles travel freely
People are busy with bundles of goods behind.
Long Bien Bridge is well-known as the first steel bridge in Vietnam, which was built from 1989 to 1902 in the period of French colonialist. It used to be a main blood of Vietnamese transportation in the war for defending the invasion of the powerful enemies from the Western countries. It was designed by a French engineer with the contribution of talent Vietnamese workers. In the first time, the bridge was named after Paul Doumer, a Governor General of Indochina at that time. But the local people often call it as Long Bien Bridge or Cai River Bridge until now.
Long Bien Bridge at night
Under the fierce battle of Vietnam under the period of colonialism, billions of Vietnamese necessities and weapons were transported across Long Bien Bridge into Dien Bien Phu, the base camp of Vietnamese forces. With that important role, the bridge was considered as one of the main factors that lead to the glorious victory in terms of the Vietnamese independent war against the French colonialism.
Long Bien Bridge in the ancient time
Long Bien Bridge crosses over the Red River with 2290m in total length, which connects the transportation between Hoan Kiem District and Long Bien District. In statistics, the bridge includes 19 steel spans and 20 big pillars with 30m in depth of underwater parts. One of the most outstanding of Long Bien Bridge is that there is a railroad lined along with 2 lanes for vehicles. The entrance of the bridge lies to the left and everyone can take a stroll by a small pavement with about 1m in width on the bridge.
An overview of Long Bien Bridge
During Vietnam War in the 19th century, Long Bien Bridge was destroyed seriously due to bomb attacks of American forces. Although this site no longer remains the main roles for transportation as the previous time, Long Bien Bridge still restores the priceless historical values of Vietnam in wartime.
Interesting activities
Along with discovering about the historical features and outstanding architecture of Long Bien Bridge, you can enjoy street foods of local people, which is sold on this place. During your trips, it is so wonderful when take a rest in the surrounding of street vendors’ place, try unique street foods of native people, and watch sublime landscapes and the busy lines of vehicles on this bridge.
A vendor on Long Bien Bridge
Everyone said that the most beautiful moment of Long Bien landscape is in the early morning and the late afternoon. At sunrise, you can enjoy the tranquil atmosphere with all landscape deep into the slight smog at Long Bien Bridge. At sunset, this place brings a feeling of nostalgia when golden sunlight reflects on the rust steel frame. You can easily catch sightseers wandering around this place.
Long Bien Bridge in the morning
Long Bien Bridge owns a inherent attraction with the gentle Red River, the green space of nature and the ancient beauty itself. With those features, the bridge really becomes an ideal destination for photographers or for anyone, who want to have a nice photo for their albums.
Long Bien Bridge - an ideal destination for art photos
