The Truong Tien Bridge crossing over the Perfume River is a symbol of Hue city. This place is a historical testimony to heroic battles, bombs and bullets but still stands till this day. Follow Izitour to see what's interesting about Trang Tien Bridge.
The Truong Tien Bridge is located in the south of Hue city, in Phu Loi district and Phu Hoa district. The bridge connects the two banks of the Perfume River flowing through the heart of Hue city.
Coming to Hue, how can you miss the opportunity to visit the tranquil Perfume River and walk on the historic 100-year-old bridge. You can choose to ask the local residents for directions to the Perfume River or look up the location of the Truong Tien Bridge on a google map.
To get to Truong Tien Bridge, visitors can use many means of transportation such as motorbikes, cars, bicycles or boats. Tourists often choose to stay at centrally located hotels for convenient transportation to famous attractions. Truong Tien Bridge is located in the city centre so the way is quite easy. However, there are many bridges built across the Perfume River (Perfume River), so be careful not to get confused.
If you are a romantic person, you can rent a bicycle to ride along the banks of the Perfume River and cross Truong Tien Bridge, watching the flow of people running back and forth. The peaceful scenery, fresh air and gentle breeze will definitely be unforgettable experiences. On the Perfume River, there are also passenger boats to explore Hue and the river, from there you can experience the bridge from a different artistic perspective.
Truong Tien Bridge was built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, becoming the first bridge built in Indochina. It has a history of more than a century associated with the land of Hue. Even though time has passed, the bridge still stands there, witnessing all the changes in the city. With technology and materials supported by Western countries, Truong Tien Bridge has a steel structure so it is extremely sturdy, completely superior to other bamboo and wooden bridges at the same time.
Truong Tien Bridge has undergone many name changes, with names such as Thanh Thai, Clémenceau, Nguyen Hoang... Because the bridge was previously located opposite the left of the Nguyen Dynasty's mint, Hue people called it Truong Tien Bridge. (money minting bridge). Gradually, this name was assigned to the bridge and became the official name of this place.
During the process of preparing to build Truong Tien Bridge, King Thanh Thai faced many objections. According to some mandarins at that time, the Perfume River had a poetic beauty so it was not suitable to build a rudimentary steel bridge for fear of losing its inherent romance. Not only that, asking Western technology for help is also a problem.
After much controversy, in April 1897, the bridge was officially started to be built over the Perfume River. The construction was assigned to the French company Eiffel, along with the amount of 190,000 dong from the royal court, the rest being financially supported by the French. After two years the bridge was inaugurated.
Truong Tien Bridge consists of 6 pairs of comb-shaped spans. It has a total length of 400 metres, if including the connecting road, the length of the bridge is 453 metres. The riverbed of the bridge is 6 metres wide and later be used as a sidewalk for pedestrians.
Since its construction, the Truong Tien Bridge has collapsed three times. The first time the bridge was broken was in 1904 due to the impact of a historic storm. The second time was in 1946, this time the bridge collapsed due to the resistance's policy to block the French colonialists, so they used explosives to collapse more than 3 metres of the bridge. The third time was in 1968, the bridge collapsed due to a ton of bombs dropped by the American empire, completely destroying the 3rd column and severely damaging the 4th column.
Subsequently, the bridge was restored on a large scale, regaining its safety and dreamy beauty, merging with the fascinating Perfume River. Until now, the Truong Tien Bridge has been stable for over 50 years and still ensures the safety for all vehicles. Since 1975, the name Truong Tien has also become the official name and recognised in all administrative and geographical documents.
Truog Tien bridge has a very distinct and impressive beauty following each season. It is no coincidence that the Truong Tien Bridge has become a symbol of the city of Hue.
More than 100 years associated with Hue, witnessing enormous changes, the Truong Tien Bridge has worn the beauty of the times. This place has become the inspiration for many poets composing rheumatic poems.
"I come to gather fallen petals
Find love to save memory for sadness
The River of Fragrances flows gently
Trang Tien cradles and sings dreamily"
Or the song that has been attached to the minds of the people of Hue:
"The Truong Tien bridge has six spans
I can't keep up, my darling
People told about our story for a long time
You are far from me, because the God arranges"
The romance and sweetness of the Perfume River along with its 100-year-old Trang Tien Bridge are the symbols, history and breath of Hue, which visitors will never forget.
The Truong Tien Bridge, with its age and cultural value, has long been more than just an inanimate iron and steel bridge. Setting between two most charming banks of the river, the bridge seems to blend into the dreamy Hue and become the soul of the ancient capital.
Visiting Truong Tien Bridge in the season when the phoenix flowers bloom brightly on both sides of the Perfume River, you will see that this place has a beauty of bright, brilliant but still gentle flexibility. And then suddenly you realise your life in Hue keep slower, more poetic,... You will have more time for yourselves than ever.
Izitour hopes you will soon have the opportunity to set foot in the dream land of Hue, to come to the Truong Tien Bridge and let us know your feelings. We wish you a peaceful journey and join us on the most wonderful holiday in Vietnam!
To see more about Hue:
>> The Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc - the Most Beautiful Mausoleum in Hue
