THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO - HANOI (Part 1)

Talking about Hanoi, my first thought has the Thang Long millennium history. The oldest capital of Vietnam, is the most charming name of Hanoi meaning that dragon flies to the sky. Bridges in Hanoi are the opening topic of “Things to know before you go – Hanoi”.

PART 1: BRIDGES IN HANOI

After Vietnam War, Hanoi has positively changed and won many hearts of foreign tourists in the world. Streets are getting more beautiful. New urban areas are becoming higher and larger. Everything has been getting better from day to day. In the mainstream, bridges in Hanoi are also not an exception. Not only do they play an essential role in Hanoi transportation, but those bridges are a lively witness about historical events.

“Every bridge finally leads to Hanoi” people said. Built across the Red River’s main parts, each bridge makes Hanoi people closer each other as well as helps Hanoian get closer to the world.

THE OLDEST BRIDGE IN HANOI

In 1898, the French colonists built an architect considered as the world's greatest steel bridge at that time. It was Long Bien Bridge. Paul Dumer, the Indochina Governor General’s name, was another name called by French. Up to now, Long Bien Bridge just turned 119.

Long Bien at night

In the past, Long Bien was considered as the pride of architecture in the East Asia. It was the main transportation line to transfer tons of rice from Northern and Central Vietnam to Dien Bien Phu battle. It also joined its hand to the Victory of Vietnam against French, 1945. In 1967 and 1972, there were many times American army bombed into Long Bien Bridge that has been clear in Vietnamese people’s mind. It has not been merely for transportation purpose, but also for as living historical relic.

Living on Long Bien Bridge

Being one of seven bridges crossing the Red River of Hanoi, Long Bien Bridge is no longer important in transportation as it was. However, it has kept the unique historic, architectural value. Here and there, you see some vendors selling vegetable and fishes. Some oldsters still go along as an exercise each morning and evening. A windy and tranquil space will be your emotion whenever you go it up!

Long Bien Bridge at dawn

Looking at the dawn and sunset on Long Bien Bridge, you will have chances to take nice photos with your mate and friends. To locals, it is also a place to relax with windy, sunny and spacious times. Some couples pick up there as a romantic background in their wedding albums. Long Bien Bridge is honestly as a friend with almost Hanoi people attaching to childhood memories and aspiration. The oldest bridge in Hanoi has been living and sharing Hanoians’ daily life silently. Perhaps, you will have an imperfect experience, unless your city tour in Hanoi has Long Bien Bridge to observe the sun.

THE FIRST VIETNAMESE SELF-DESIGNED AND BUILT BRIDGE

Chuong Duong Bridge at night

Chuong Duong Bridge, the unique roadway bridge collecting two inter-districts in Hanoi, lies in parallel across the Red River. It becomes a great pride of Vietnamese construction industry in particular and Vietnamese people in general. The bridge is also a typical example about the Vietnamese labors’ creativity.

Looking at Chuong Duong from Long Bien Bridge

Unlike the Long Bien Bridge, train is unavailable to pass the Chuong Duong Bridge only. Traffic problem was solved significantly after that the bridge has been opened in 1986. Chuong Duong has still playing an important role in transportation and economy development in Hanoi until now.

Chuong Duong Bridge

A little-known thing is that none of any foreign experts’ help actually went to Vietnamese engineers from beginning to end. This construction was implemented within 3 years and has improved traffic jam in Hanoi at peak hours.

THANG LONG BRIDGE

The bridge of the century, another name of Thang Long Bridge called by Hanoi people, was completed in 1985. It has record specifications most among bridges in Hanoi.

Thang Long Bridge at night

It is said that technical specifications of the bridge in construction was ranked first. According to statistics, the total volume of materials for building is 230.000 m3 of concrete and 53.293 tons of steel in 10 years starting construction. If drawings were compiled to print, it will be ten times as much as the bridge’s length.

Thang Long Bridge's campus

Especially, Thang Long Bridge is the only two-storey bridge in Hanoi with totally 11.000 meters in length. Thang Long Bridge has playing a vital role in Hanoi transportation, linking the Noi Bai international airport to Hanoi capital. It is a great symbol of Vietnam – Soviet friendship.

THE LARGEST BRIDGE IN HANOI AND SOUTHEAST ASIA

Built with the latest technology, Thanh Tri Bridge is considered as the largest bridge in 7 bridges crossing the Red River in Hanoi and Southeast Asia as well. The bridge officially came into operation in February 2007. Not only has it met Hanoi people’s expectation, but it also has made northern people in Vietnam easier to approach Hanoi.

Thanh Tri Bridge is nearly 35 meters in width with six traffic lanes including 4 highway lanes. For this advantage, it is very suitable for long road trips. Visitors have a spacious view to enjoy the Red River delta scene.

Thanh Trì Bridge

The capital’s bridges have not only economic value, but it also contains cultural and spiritual values. Each bridge is a link between the heroic past and a promising future. Each bridge, oldest or latest, shows a continuous flow of generations, preserving cultural values in the ancient spirit.

Day after day, you easily catch sight of someone hurrying in this bridge for living. Some seeks a new life or a new joy. Others go back their home after hourly working hard. One thing is for sure, the Hanoi bridges, no matter how oldest or latest it is, will always be the Hanoi’s pride.

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