Nguyen Van Troi Bridge is a famous walking bridge and the oldest bridge across the Han River in Da Nang Vietnam. It’s named after a local male hero who fighted for peace and reunification in Vietnam in the war time, similar to neighbouring Tran Thi Ly Bridge. No matter day or night, the riverscape from the top of this building is really beautiful and great to take photos. Compared to other bridges, there is no traffic here, making it very safe to stroll along. Now, let’s HoiAn Day Trip Company tell you everything that you need to know about Da Nang’s Nguyen Van Troi Bridge.
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 Nguyen Van Troi Bridge in Da Nang
– Location/address: Hoa Cuong Bac ward, Hai Chau district (west side) and My An ward, Ngu Hanh Son district (east side), Da Nang city, Vietnam
– Other name(s): Nguyen Van Troi Walking Bridge, Da Nang Walking Bridge, Cau Nguyen Van Troi
– Opening hour(s): 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
– Ticket price: free
– Length: 513,8 meters (approx 1,685 ft)
– End(s): Duy Tan St, Hai Chau district (west), Nguyen Van Thoai St, Ngu Hanh Son district (east)
– Year(s) of construction: 1965
– Construction cost:
– Materials: concrete, steel
– Reason(s) to visit: a historical bridge with a view to the Han River and bridges crossing it, no traffic (pedestrian only), a famous bridge
– Best time to visit: late afternoon-evening
– Time to spend: 20-30 mins
– Recognition(s): the oldest bridge cross Han River in Da Nang
– Travel blog: https://hoiandaytrip.com/nguyen-van-troi-bridge-da-nang
– Tour guide: contact +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo)
– Food & drink: not available
– Shopping: not available
– Fact: the only walking bridge cross the Han River in Da Nang
Nguyen Van Troi Bridge (Da Nang) on Map
History & Architecture of Nguyen Van Troi Bridge
Nguyen Van Troi Bridge in Da Nang was designed and built in 1965 by RMK-BRJ, an American construction consortium which has four of the largest American companies, put together by the United States Navy in the Vietnam War. It became the first bridge to cross the Han River in history. During the wartime, it’s used to allow vehicles and cargo of the American army going from Da Nang airport to Tien Sa seaport, and vice versa. In this period, Nguyen Van Troi Bridge was known as ‘Nguyen Hoang Bridge’. By the way, Nguyen Hoang (1525-1613) is the first Nguyen lord who ruled southern Vietnam from 1558 to 1613.
In the beginning, Nguyen Van Troi Bridge was 513,8 meters long, 10,5 meters wide (only 8,5 meters for vehicles). It has 14 Poni steel spans. Today, it’s one of two last bridges surviving in the country which was made by this material. Its deck was paved by wood (later by asphalt). After Vietnam’s unification in 1975, it’s renamed ‘Nguyen Van Troi Bridge’, and restored two times, in 1978 and 1996. Until 2000, when the Han River Bridge was opened, it’s the only choice to move between banks of the river without a ferry.
On 29th March 1975, a Vietnamese soldier named ‘Nguyen Van Du’ died when he and his comrades captured the military harbour at the western end of Nguyen Van Troi Bridge, to block the escape route of American soldiers. Two hours later, South Vietnam’s flag at the top of the City hall was replaced by North Vietnam’s flag. After that, Da Nang was finally liberated, paving the way to unify Vietnam. So, Du was the last soldier to fall in the conflict. This event was summarized on the memorial stele in the park near the bridge.
After the inauguration of the new Tran Thi Ly Bridge on 29th March 2013, Da Nang leaders decided to preserve Nguyen Van Troi Bridge, instead of disassembling it. After that, a budget of 20,3 billions VND was approved to make it become a pedestrian bridge (the first in the city). The renovation project lasted 3 months, including re-painting the bridge, increasing its navigational clearance from 4,5 to 7 meters (to allow boats to go pass), improving traffic intersections at its ends.
Better to Know about Nguyen Van Troi (Hero)
Nguyen Van Troi
Nguyen Van Troi (man) was borned in 1940, in Thanh Quyt village, Dien Thang ward, Dien Ban town, Quang Nam province. He was the third children in the family, with parents as farmers. When he reached 3 years old, his mother was killed by French colonists. At age of 15, he came to Da Nang to earn for living, and then moved to Saigon (present-day Ho Chi Minh city) to work as a cyclo rider or an electrician repairman. In a workshop, he know about communism and wanted to be a member of the Communist party as well as ‘Saigon rangers’.
While working at a cotton factory, Nguyen Van Troi met a girl named ‘Phan Thi Quyen’ and then they fell in love. After a year, they got married on 21st April 1964.
On 9th May 1964, Nguyen Van Troi placed mines at Cong Ly Bridge, to assassinate Robert McNamara (1916-2009) and Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. (1902-1985), United States secretary of defence and ambassador respectively when they visited South Vietnam. It was unsuccessful. After that, he was captured by South Vietnam Republic’s police, and taken to a police station. A few days later, he tried to escape but failed. That’s why, later he was moved to Chi Hoa Prison, the highest security prison at that time. Here, although tortured, he didn’t reveal any information about his comrades and the communist party. In the end, he was sentenced to death.
To save him, guerillas in Venezuela demanded to exchange him with USAF colonel Michael Stolen who was kidnapped by them previously. They said that if Troi was shot, it would happen the same to Michael. However, after Michael was released, Troi was still not free.
On 15th October 1964, at age of 24, Nguyen Van Troi was shot to death (execution by firing squad), becoming the first publicly executed Vietcong (‘Vietnam communists’). His execution was filmed. As the first shot was fired, he called out ‘Long live Vietnam’.
After the Vietnam war, to commemorate the 1964 event, the road from Tan Son Nhat airport to Cong Ly bridge was named after him. One bridge spanning the Han River in Da Nang city (capital of Quang Nam – Da Nang province from 1975 to 1996) was also called ‘Nguyen Van Troi Bridge’ as well as many other streets, schools, and other public places.
Nguyen Van Troi Legacy
After the Vietnam War, thousands of places such as streets, bridges, schools, parks,… were named after Nguyen Van Troi, a national hero. In Ho Chi Minh city, the street running from the airport to Cong Ly Bridge was renamed ‘Nguyen Van Troi’. In Da Nang, a bridge spanning the Han River and the park in its eastern end were named after him too. In Guantanamo city of Cuba, we can see Nguyen Van Troi stadium, school, hospital, and park.
In 1973, Jane Seymour Fonda (American activist and actress) and Tom Hayden (American social activist, politician) named their son ‘Troy Garity’ (later an actor). Troy comes from ‘Troi’ (Nguyen Van Troi).
On 15th October 1994, Nguyen Van Troi Memorial House was built in his home village, and opened to the public in the next year. In 2018, it’s recognized as Quang Nam’s provincial historic site.
In 2008, ‘Nguyen Van Troi Prize’ was given to Vietnamese young persons under 35 who had excellent expertise and social activities.
A park near the eastern gate of the Hue’s Imperial City is named after Nguyen Van Troi. It stands approx 18,000 m2, and is bounded by four streets: Doan Thi Diem, Dinh Cong Trang, Han Thuyen, and Dinh Tien Hoang. It’s behind the Museum of Royal Antiquities.
Tips to Visit Nguyen Van Troi Bridge in Da Nang
– In the dry season, from February to the end of August, visitors should bring sun cream, sun glasses, hat/cap/umbrella, bottles of water.
– In the rainy season, from September to January, visitors should bring rain poncho/jacket or umbrella, sandals or waterproof shoes.
– Nguyen Van Troi Bridge at Da Nang is wheelchair accessible.
– Bring cash (VND) to pay for souvenirs, gifts, foods, and drinks.
– Photography service is seasonal available in Nguyen Van Troi Bridge of Da Nang.
– Nguyen Van Troi Bridge is a good place to visit and watch the riverscape of the city in the evening.
– No dress code is required to visitors at this attraction.
– It’s better to visit Nguyen Van Troi Bridge with a local guide. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) to book.
How to Get to Nguyen Van Troi Bridge in Da Nang
Da Nang to Nguyen Van Troi Bridge
If stay in Grand Mercure Danang hotel or Fivitel Danang hotel, Nguyen Van Troi Bridge is within a short walking distance. From their rooftop, guests can catch awesome pictures.
To reach the top of Nguyen Van Troi Bridge from other parts of Da Nang, it’s needed to get a car/taxi/minivan and ride the motorbike or bicycle. From Hai Chau district, the drive is less than 15 mins long, and from the Da Nang International Airport, it’s 10 mins long. From hotels in My Khe Beach area, it takes 10 to 20 mins (depending on traffic and weather), and from Non Nuoc Beach resorts, it’s 20-30 mins.
If ride the bicycle or motorcycle, visitors need to find the quickest directions to one of these intersections: 2 Thang 9 Street – Duy Tan Street (west bank) and Ngu Hanh Son Street – Nguyen Van Thoai Street (east bank).
It’s possible to ride the bicycle or walk through Nguyen Van Troi Bridge, but impossible to ride the motorbike or car.
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!
Hoi An to Nguyen Van Troi Bridge
Because of the distance (some 30km) from Hoi An to Da Nang, visitors often book a private transfer by car or self-ride a scooter. It takes passengers nearly 1 hour to see Nguyen Van Troi from Hoi An (without stops on the way). The Marble Mountains traditionally is a must see attraction before Da Nang city centre because it has very old temples and majestic caves. Within one day, visitors absolutely can visit this place, the bridge (and other famous bridges on Han river), main beaches, and Son Tra Mountain/Monkey Mountain. Contact us by +84968009827 if you need a private transfer by car to explore Da Nang from Hoi An.
If ride the motorcycle by yourself, we recommend these routes to go from Hoi An center to Nguyen Van Troi Bridge in Da Nang downtown:
Route 1: Hoi An – Lac Long Quan Street (Hoi An) – Truong Sa Street (Da Nang) – Vo Nguyen Giap Street – Nguyen Van Thoai Street – Nguyen Van Troi Bridge
Route 2: Hoi An – Nguyen Tat Thanh Street (Hoi An) – Le Van Hien Street (Da Nang) – Ngu Hanh Son Street Street – Nguyen Van Troi Bridge
Places to Visit near Nguyen Van Troi Bridge in Da Nang
Near Nguyen Van Troi Bridge, visitors can go to these places: the Dragon Bridge (distance: 400 meters), APEC Park (distance: 100 meters), Museum of Cham Sculpture (distance: 400 meters), Da Nang Fresco Village (distance: 800 meters), Han Market (distance: 1,2 km), Da Nang Cathedral or Pink Church (distance: 1km), Son Tra Night Market (distance: 1km), Bach Dang Street & Promenade (distance: 400 meters), Tran Thi Ly Bridge (distance: 200 meters), Nguyen Van Troi Walking Bridge (distance: 200 meters), Ho Chi Minh and 5th Military Zone Museum (distance: 700 meters), Helio Night Market (distance: 1,5km), Da Nang Downtown (formerly Sun World Asia Park) (distance: 1,5km), Sun Wheel (distance: 1,5 km), Love Lock Bridge (distance: 1,5km), Dragon Carp Statue (distance: 1,5 km).
Photos, Videos about Nguyen Van Troi Bridge in Vietnam
Here are beautiful photos and videos about Nguyen Van Troi Bridge in Da Nang Vietnam:
