Dragon Bridge (Cau Rong) is a famous bridge in Da Nang city, Vietnam. It spans the Han River, the largest river of the city, and provides the shortest distance from Da Nang’s international airport to the beach. This bridge carries a giant yellow steel dragon with a height of up to 9,000 tons, making it so special and photogenic. On the weekend nights, from its mouth, the dragon spits fire and water. Lots of locals and tourists come and enjoy watching the performance. Now let’s HoiAn Day Trip Company provide you everything that you need to know about Dragon Bridge in Da Nang.
You also may like: Famous Bridges in Da Nang, Vietnam
• Content by Tam Le, founder of HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD
• Designed by Giang Cong Minh, co-founder of LS E&C LTD and his team
• Photo by Dang Cong Loi, Dao Xuan Son, Tam Le & others
Must Knows about Dragon Bridge in Da Nang
– Location/address: Hai Chau district (west) and Son Tra district (east), Da Nang city, Vietnam
– Other name(s): Da Nang Fire Dragon Bridge, Da Nang Golden Dragon Bridge, Fire Breathing Dragon Bridge
– Opening hour(s): 24 hours, 7 days a week
– Ticket price: free
– Type: suspension bridge, arch bridge
– Years of construction: 19th July 2009 to 29th March 2013
– Construction cost: around 1,5 billions of Vietnamese dong (approx 88 millions US dollars)
– Materials: concrete, steel
– Length: 666 meters (approx 2,185 ft)
– End(s): Nguyen Van Linh St, Hai Chau district (west), Vo Van Kiet St, Son Tra district (east)
– Width: 37,5 meters
– Weight: 9,000 tons
– Recognition(s): top 16 the most unique bridges of the world, the heaviest steel dragon-like bridge in the world
– Reason(s) to visit: a uniquely-designed bridge, an Instagrammable spot, beautiful landscape from its top, fire and water breathing show
– Best time to visit: early morning, late afternoon to evening
– Time to spend: at least 30 mins
– Travel blog: https://hoiandaytrip.com/dragon-bridge-da-nang-vietnam
– Tour guide: contact +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo)
– Food & drink: no
– Shopping: no
– Fact: Dragon Bridge at Da Nang breathes fire and water in the weekend
Dragon Bridge (Cau Rong) on Map
History of the Dragon Bridge in Da Nang
In the 2005-2006 period, Da Nang city authorities led by president Sir Nguyen Ba Thanh, planned to construct a bridge to connect banks of the Han River. Compared to the Han River Bridge or Nguyen Van Troi Bridge, this new bridge would provide a shorter drive from the Da Nang International Airport to My Khe Beach area (two important tourist spots). Additionally, the city wanted to reduce traffic congestion and also to have a new attraction, with something special to draw more visitors.
To fulfill all of these goals, a global competition was launched. 18 designs came to the final round, and the idea about the bridge with a dragon won against the one from Vietnam, Japan, and Germany. It’s from the designer’s team of the Louis Berger International, a United States-based engineering, architecture and construction management firm (together with the Ammann & Whitney Consulting Engineers). However, a Vietnamese company was responsible for building it.
After many discussions, the city decided the dragon’s direction: going to the ocean instead of the mainland, and the dragon’s style: Ly dynasty style (10th to 13rd centuries).
On 19th July 2009, when Thuan Phuoc Bridge was just opened, the Dragon Bridge construction was started. Reigning prime minister of Vietnam – Nguyen Tan Dung and many high-ranking officials of the Vietnamese government and Da Nang city, attended this groundbreaking ceremony.
On 29th March 2013, the Dragon Bridge was inaugurated, becoming the 6th bridge spanning the Han River (after the Han River Bridge, Thuan Phuoc Bridge, Tran Thi Ly Bridge, Nguyen Van Troi Bridge, Tien Son Bridge). This event aimed to commemorate the 38th Liberation Day of Da Nang. Meanwhile, Tran Thi Ly Bridge (in the upstream of the Dragon Bridge) was also completed and opened to traffic. The nickname ‘City of bridges’ for Da Nang has beginned since then.
Architecture & Design of Dragon Bridge in Da Nang
The Dragon Bridge is one of iconic landmarks, and the best designed river bridge in Da Nang. Its length is 666 meters (aprox 2,185 ft), and its width is 37,5 meters, carrying a 6-lanes road with a huge steel dragon as the median strip. The dragon itself is 568 meters long (1,863 ft) and 9,000 tons weigh (the head: 194 tons, the body: 8,400 tons, the tail: 19,37 tons, the scales: 118 tons). It has 39 scales, completed in one week. Cables are used to hold this superb heavy dragon standing and being safe during the typhoons or earthquakes. Dragon Bridge’s height is 53 meters from the water surface of the Han River. It’s impressive enough and not so overwhelmed to Museum of Cham Sculpture next door, a long-standing historical heritage of Da Nang city.
The dragon’s style follows the one used during the Ly dynasty (1009-1225) as a symbol of Vietnamese king’s power. Its head is at the eastern end (Son Tra district) and its tail is in the western end (Hai Chau district). Debates were raged about which directions the dragon should head toward and the significance of each one. Today, the bridge portrays a dragon flying to the sea, representing the city’s ambition: ‘reaching out to the great ocean’ (simply reaching out to the world). In the legend of the Marble Mountains, an emblematic scenic spot of the area, the dragon also comes from the sea. Moreover, the Dragon Bridge has a yellow color that was exclusive for the emperors in the past.
Two pathways are also designed for pedestrians, to walk to the other side, to admire the beauty of the city (especially bridges, the ferris wheel, riverfronts), and to take photos. The handrails are made of golden inox, in a curving/wavy way to be in harmony with the dragon.
To light up the Dragon Bridge, engineers used 2,500 neon lights for the dragon.
How Is the Dragon Bridge at Night?
After darkness, the Dragon Bridge comes to life with 2,500 neon lights, showing beautiful moving and changing colors (different colours). The best look is when the dragon turns yellow.
When standing on the bridge, visitors enjoy a cool breeze, and a vibrant, stunning riverscape. It’s possible to see a sparkling Han River with colorful light reflections, neon-lit cruises, old cultural landmarks and modern high-rise hotels next to each other, busy traffic along riverside streets, and especially, 5 other bridges. Downstream, there are Thuan Phuoc Bridge (the longest suspension bridge in Vietnam) and the Han River Bridge (the only swing bridge still in use in Vietnam and Da Nang’s first bridge). In the upstream, that is Nguyen Van Troi Bridge, and behind it, Tran Thi Ly Bridge and the Sun Wheel (top 10 the tallest Ferris wheels worldwide) inside the Asia Park (Da Nang’s largest theme park). All of them appear more interesting than the daytime. Some vendor photographers, with their motorcycle, are on the bridge to offer visitors the service of taking photos by camera and printing them then.
On the weekends, the Dragon Bridge attracts lots of people coming to watch its fire and water performance, both locals and foreigners. This event is a must see in Da Nang for first-time visitors. Sure, there are many photo opportunities.
When visiting the Dragon Bridge at night, tourists also are keen on strolling Son Tra Night Market (Da Nang’s biggest night market with souvenirs, street foods, entertainments), or going to the Dragon Carp Statue (a local version of Merlion in Singapore) and the Love Lock Bridge or dining at nearby restaurants.
Fire & Water Show at Dragon Bridge in Da Nang
In Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 9:00 pm, visitors will have the chance to watch the Dragon Bridge spitting water and fire. This activity is free, taking place in the east side of the bridge (the dragon’s head) or Son Tra district side. In Vietnamese culture, the dragon breathing water, symbolizes the prosperity and growth as well as good harvests. To have the best spots to watch, visitors should come at least 10 minutes before the showtime and stand on the bridge or on the riverside promenade below. See more information & details
Tips to See Dragon Bridge & Dragon Bridge Show
– The head of the dragon is on the eastern end (Tran Hung Dao Street).
– Visitors should be in the Dragon Bridge at least 15 mins before the fire and water show begins, to have the best spots to witness/photograph.
– The road on the bridge and nearby roads will be closed, for pedestrians only before the showtime. If ride the motorbike, let’s park it on the pavement of Tran Hung Dao St (under the bridge).
– If stand on the Dragon Bridge, make sure that you bring a rain poncho/jacket or umbrella, because the dragon will breathe water and winds will blow it to you.
– After the Dragon Bridge show ends, nearby streets will be crowded. For that reason, it’s difficult to get a taxi or have to pay a high price. We advise staying in the bridge area for 20-30 mins, once go to another place/hotel.
– The view from the Dragon Bridge is exceptionally beautiful at sunrise or sunset times.
– The show at Dragon Bridge won’t be available on the night when the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival occurs. This helps to reduce traffic congestion in the city.
Places to Visit near Dragon Bridge in Da Nang
Near the Dragon Bridge, on the east side of the Han River (‘east bank’), visitors can go to these places: Dragon Carp Statue (distance: 50m), Love Lock Bridge (distance: 20m), Dragon Bridge (will breathe fire and water on weekends) (distance: 100m), Han River Bridge (distance: 1 km), My Khe Beach (distance: 1,5km).
On the west bank of the Han River (‘west bank’), visitors can go to these places: Museum of Cham Sculpture (distance: 950m), APEC Park (distance: 1 km), Bach Dang Walking Street (distance: 1,1 km), Bach Dang Street & Promenade (distance: 1,1km), Da Nang Fresco Village (distance: 1,3 km), Phap Lam Pagoda (distance: 1,8 km), Han Market (distance: 1,5 km), Da Nang Cathedral or Pink Church (distance: 1,5 km), Nguyen Van Troi Bridge (distance: 1,5 km), Tran Thi Ly Bridge (distance: 1,5 km), Da Nang Fine Arts Museum (distance: 2,5km), Con Market (distance: 3km), Ho Chi Minh & Zone 5 Military Museum (distance: 4,5 km).
How to Get to Dragon Bridge in Da Nang
The Dragon Bridge is within Da Nang downtown. So, it’s easy and convenient to get there from anywhere in this city. From hotels/places in Phuoc Ninh and Binh Hien areas of Hai Chau district, and An Hai Nam area of Son Tra district, it’s possible to walk.
From hotels/places in Da Nang city centre, the distance to the Dragon Bridge is 6-7 km. If get a taxi/car, it takes visitor about 15 mins, and the cost is less than 200,000 VND.
From Hoi An (30km down the south), visitors can use a taxi/car/van/bus, or ride a motorbike. A roundtrip transfer by car from Hoi An to Da Nang centre (and back) costs from 700,000 VND. It’s definitely higher if visitors want to see more attractions or use a minivan/bus. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) to book.
Riding the motorbike is one of the cheapest way to get from Hoi An to the Dragon Bridge (and anywhere) in Da Nang. The most beautiful route is along the coast. In Hoi An, find the shortest way to go to Lac Long Quan St, and then follow it until crossroad Vo Van Kiet – Vo Nguyen Giap in Da Nang. After that, turn left and follow Vo Van Kiet street to see the bridge. On the way, visitors can see the Marble Mountains, Non Nuoc Beach or My Khe Beach. The easiest place to park is under the bridge, on the pavement of Tran Hung Dao St. The fee is 5,000-10,000 VND/bike/time. To see the dragon’s head, visitors need to climb the nearby staircase.
HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD daily organizes tours and transfers in Da Nang and Hoi An. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
Photos, Videos about Dragon Bridge in Da Nang
Here are beautiful photos and videos about Dragon Bridge in Da Nang Vietnam:
