The History of the Truong Tien Bridge

Truong Tien Bridge crosses the Huong River, which lies in the middle of Hue city. The bridge is a design of architect Gustave Eiffel, who designed the Eiffel Tower in Paris as well. It was made in 1897 (the ninth year of Thanh Thai dynasty) with Gothic architecture.

The bridge has a length of 402.6 m, a width of 6 meters, including 6 spans of steel girder shaped like a comb, each span is 67 meters long.

Witnessing many historical moments of the country, Truong Tien Bridge is still standing there like a jewelry comb on the hair of Huong River.

In spite of being called multiple names, for a long time, the name Truong Tien Bridge (which because the bridge was near the coin-molding construction site, referred to as Truong Tien of Nguyen Dynasty and Truong Tien Street founded by Emperor Thanh Thai in 1899) is still the most familiar name for the residents. Truong Tien Bridge is the inspiration for a variety of folk songs and poems about Hue and therefore becomes an iconic symbol of Hue.

Because of the narrow width of the bridge, cars are prohibited during some certain peak traffic periods.

At the corridor of an abutment between 2 supporting pillars, there are spacious balconies, allowing people to take a rest stop or sightsee.

In 1937, under the Bao Dai King’s dynasty, Truong Tien Bridge was restored and renovated on large scale. The bridge was widened on both sides of the corridor for bicycles and pedestrians.

In 2002, in preparation for Hue festival, a major cultural event held in Hue in even years in order to honor Hue cultural heritage, a modern color-changing lighting system was installed, lighting brilliantly at night.

The landscape of Truong Tien Bridge and Huong River with a red poinciana tree blooming alongside the river bank have become a familiar view of the ancient capital of Hue.