Cau Song Han (Han River Bridge) is one of the famous bridges in Da Nang city. In history, it’s the first bridge to cross the Han River in post-Vietnam war, so it’s named the same. Later, this building was presented on the official city’s logo, together with the river and Marble Mountains. Additionally, it is also one of a few cable-stayed swing bridges in Vietnam that is still in use today. Now let’s HoiAn Day Trip Company provide all the information about the Han River Bridge in Da Nang.
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• 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 Han River Bridge (Da Nang)
– Location/address: Hai Chau ward, Hai Chau district (west side) and An Hai Bac ward, Son Tra district (east side)
– Name’s meaning: Han River may mean ‘welding river’ in Vietnamese language
– Other name(s): Da Nang Swing Bridge, Da Nang Rotating Bridge, Song Han Bridge Da Nang
– Type: cable-stayed bridge, swing bridge
– Length: 487,7 meters (approx 1,600 ft)
– End(s): Le Duan St, Hai Chau ward, Hai Chau district (west), Pham Van Dong St, An Hai Bac ward, Son Tra district (east)
– Height:
– Width: 12,9 meters
– Clearance below: 25 meters (82 ft)
– Years of construction: 1998 to 2000
– Total cost: 95 billion VND
– Reason(s) to visit: the first bridge spanning Han River in Da Nang city, beautiful riverscape seen from its top, colorful at night
– Best time to visit: morning, late afternoon to evening
– Time to spend: 20-30 mins
– Travel blog: https://hoiandaytrip.com/han-river-bridge-da-nang
– Recognition(s): the only swing bridge that still rotates in Vietnam (a Vietnam record)
– Tour guide: contact +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo)
– Foods & drinks: no
– Shopping: no
– Fact: visitors are often confused about the Han River Bridge in Da Nang and Seoul (South Korea’s capital)
Han River Bridge (Da Nang) on Map
History of Han River Bridge in Da Nang
Da Nang city built the Han River Bridge (Cau Song Han) on 2nd September 2000, to celebrate the 53rd Independence Day of Vietnam. After 1975 when the Vietnam war ended, this was the first bridge that would span the Han River. It’s the largest river in Da Nang city, and also runs through its central districts.
At that time, president of city people’s committee Nguyen Ba Thanh expected that the new bridge would transform the right bank of the Han River. Over there, people lived in poor fishing villages, and beautiful beaches were not yet known by tourists. To compare the life between banks of Han River in Da Nang, locals had a sentence: ‘old woman on the left bank is better then young girl on the right bank’. The left bank (or west bank) is the city downtown where rich people and tall buildings are seen, opposite to the other side.
One of things that make Han River Bridge special is the way citizens donated their own money to build it. Total cost for this bridge was 95 billion dong at that time (2000), and in it, there was 7 billion dong from citizens. Especially when the bridge was just commenced, the city president has raised nearly 5,4 billion dong. The name of 65 persons who donated more than 10 million dong (a big amount of money at that time for Vietnamese) was carved to thank. The city president Nguyen Ba Thanh was the biggest donor. For that reason, Han River Bridge is not only a symbol for a new beginning of Da Nang city, but also the solidarity of citizens.
Han River Bridge was inaugurated and opened to traffic on 29th March 2000, to celebrate the 25th Da Nang Liberation Day. It became the first cable-stayed swing bridge designed and constructed by Vietnamese people. After that, other important buildings and bridges in the city were completed on this day too, such as Dragon Bridge, Tran Thi Ly Bridge.
Architecture & Design of Han River Bridge in Da Nang
Han River Bridge (Cau Song Han) in Da Nang is 487,7 meters long and 12,9 meters wide. It has 11 spans in total, and each span is 33 meters long. There are 2 cable-stayed spans, in the middle, and the tower rises to 122,7 meters. This bridge is the first ever cable-stayed swing bridge that was designed and built by Vietnamese engineers. The road on it has two lanes for cars and motorbikes (no buses), and two small separate lanes for bicycles and pedestrians. There is no staircase or bridge connecting it with below riverside streets or parks.
About the function, Han River Bridge connects two sides of the Han River, the biggest waterway of Da Nang city. On the left bank (west bank), there is Hai Chau District, the administrative, economic, historic, and political centre of the city. On the right bank (east bank), there is Son Tra District with new urban and tourist areas. The bridge connects with Le Duan street on the west bank, and Pham Van Dong street on the east bank. By these roads, people can go anywhere in the city.
Not all about road traffic, Han River Bridge is also important for water traffic. When needed, boats and ships can pass it and continue moving upstream/downstream the Han River. It often rotates in the midnight, approximately 90 degrees, and then returns around 3 am on the next day. During these hours, vehicles must cross the river by other bridges. However, when the Han River Bridge was the only choice (until 2010s), they would wait. At many places, visitors are recommended to watch how it rotates because here is the last ‘rotating bridge’ still working in Vietnam.
Besides being functional , Han River Bridge is also a beautiful landmark in Da Nang cityscape and riverscape. That’s why it is presented on the official logo of this city, together with the Han River and the Marble Mountains. They represent typical natural and man-made features of Da Nang.
What to Expect in Han River Bridge in Da Nang?
If walking, visitors have to go to the Han River Bridge by two roads: Le Duan street or Pham Van Dong street, instead of Bach Dang street and Tran Hung Dao street (riverside roads). There is no staircase or bridge connecting that riverside road with the bridge. This regulation aims to ensure the safety of the bridge.
Visitors have two separate lanes to walk on the Han River Bridge (sharing with bicycles). Motorbikes can’t go in these lanes, so it’s safe for kids.
From the top of Han River Bridge, if looking southwards, visitors will see the Dragon Bridge, and Tran Thi Ly Bridge and Sun Wheel behind it. The Dragon Bridge is 1,2 km away, and is characterized by a massive yellow steel dragon on it. The dragon flies to the east, symbolizing the city’s desire to integrate into the big world. In Vietnamese culture, the dragon is one of 4 holy animals. Tran Thi Ly Bridge is 2,5 km away, featuring a cable-stayed bridge with one tall and leaning tower. It portrays a sailing boat that is ready to conquer the ocean. Both bridges tell desires for integration, development, and wealth of a young and dynamic city. A picture including dragon bridge, sail boat ride and the wheel, is typical to Da Nang’s cityscape.
From the top of Han River Bridge, if looking northwards, visitors will see Thuan Phuoc Bridge and Monkey Mountains/Son Tra Mountain. Thuan Phuoc Bridge is about 2,8 km away, known for two Vietnam’s records: the longest suspension bridge (around 1,8km), and the tallest suspension bridge (92m). So, it looks huge when seeing it from the banks of the Han River. Behind it is Monkey Mountain (American) or Son Tra Mountain (Vietnamese). It’s a nature reserve with untouched forests and beautifully rugged coastlines. Here, more than 1,000 individuals of red shanked douc monkeys are living and strictly protected by the government. This kind of monkey is a symbol of the city’s precious natural values. The top of the mountain is 715 meters above sea level.
Best Places to See Han River Bridge in Da Nang
Here are the best places to view the Han River Bridge:
– On the top of Han River Bridge
– Promenade along Bach Dang street (a café named ‘Memory Lounge’ has tables with a view to the Han River Bridge)
– Promenade along Tran Hung Dao street (many local street stalls selling coconut or fresh sugarcane juice in the park, with a view to the Han River Bridge)
– Rooftop café and bars: Sky36 on the top of Novotel Danang Premier Han River
– Riverfront hotels: Novotel Danang Premier Han River, Hilton Da Nang, Melia Vinpearl Danang Riverfront
– Han River cruises (available at night only)
Tips to Visit Han River Bridge in Da Nang
– Except bicycles, other vehicles are not allowed to stop on the Han River Bridge. So, the best way to see it and the views from its top is walking or cycling.
– Umbrella or rain poncho/rain jacket, sandals or waterproof shoes are necessary to bring in the rainy season (from October to January)
– Hat/cap/umbrella, sunglasses and sun cream are necessary to bring in the dry season (from February to end of August)
– Remember to bring a smartphone or camera for taking pictures or making videos.
– Han River Bridge is a good stop to see the sunset and the cityscape at night.
– Han River Bridge is one of the best spots to see fireworks during the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival.
– It’s better to visit Han River Bridge with a local guide. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp) to book.
How to Get to Han River Bridge in Da Nang
The Han River Bridge is in Da Nang city downtown, therefore it’s convenient to get there. About the administration, it’s between Hai Chau district (western side), and Son Tra district (eastern side).
If staying in Novotel Danang Premier Han River, Hilton Danang or Melia Vinpearl Danang Riverfront or Haian Riverfront Hotel or Brilliant Hotel, visitors just need to walk. From other parts of Da Nang city centre, the distance to the Han River Bridge is 6 km maximum. It’s easy to get there by taxi/car/van/bus, bicycle, and motorbike. Besides walking, another good way to visit the bridge is by bicycle because it’s possible to ride it on the bridge and stop there to see/photograph. If riding the motorbike, visitors need to park somewhere near one side of the bridge, and then walk. On the eastern side, let’s park inside Vincom center (shopping mall) or on the pavement under the bridge (Tran Hung Dao St). On the western side, let’s park on the pavement under the bridge (Bach Dang St) or at a coffee shop. All places are free.
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 ways to get from Hoi An to the Han River 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 Pham Van Dong – Vo Nguyen Giap in Da Nang. After that, turn left and follow Pham Van Dong street to see the bridge. On the way, visitors can see the Marble Mountains, Non Nuoc Beach or My Khe Beach.
HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD daily organizes tours and transfers to 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!
Places to Visit near Han River Bridge of Da Nang
Near Han River Bridge, visitors can go to these places: Han Market (distance: 650m), Da Nang Cathedral or Pink Church (distance: 700m), Da Nang Fine Arts Museum (distance: 900m), Cao Dai Temple (distance: 950m), Da Nang Museum/Former City Hall (distance: 750m), Dien Hai Citadel (distance: 800m), Song Han Port (distance: 500m), Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (distance: 1km), Con Market (distance: 1,5km).
Photos, Videos about Han River Bridge in Da Nang
Here are beautiful photos and videos about the Han River Bridge in Da Nang Vietnam:
