Preserving historical witnesses
Long Bien Bridge - a steel structure designed by Daydé & Pillé (France), completed in 1902, was once the second longest bridge in the world . The unique architecture with a tightly layered structure resembling a winding dragon has created a beauty that is both strong, majestic and extremely soft. Although Hanoi has many more modern bridges spanning the Red River, Long Bien Bridge still maintains its position as an irreplaceable symbol, preserving historical and cultural values for more than a century.
Although Hanoi has many modern bridges across the Red River, Long Bien Bridge still maintains its position as an irreplaceable symbol.
With a life span of 123 years, the bridge, once likened to a “horizontal Eiffel Tower”, is not only a historical witness but also a vital part connecting the past and present of the capital. However, during the exploitation process, the bridge has deteriorated and its restoration and renovation have received great attention from all levels, the people and international experts.
Architect Tran Huy Anh, Standing Member of the Hanoi Architects Association, emphasized the role of Long Bien Bridge in creating a development axis for the city in the 20th century. “In the 21st century, with opportunities for renovation and upgrading, Long Bien Bridge is in the process of being reborn after completing its 100-year mission, preparing for the next 100-year mission,” Mr. Anh shared.
The Long Bien Bridge renovation research project, funded by the French Government through the FASEP Fund, with a total cost of 710,510 euros (more than 22 billion VND), was implemented in 11 months. Artelia Company surveyed the overall current status, built a 3D model for all 19 bridge spans, analyzed the climate and hydrological impacts, proposed emergency reinforcement solutions, medium and long-term repairs, and long-term usage scenarios. According to this unit, the survey results provided a highly reliable calculation model of Long Bien Bridge, serving as a basis for proposing solutions to both ensure safety and preserve the bridge as a living museum of Hanoi.
Experts also proposed many solutions to renovate the bridge in each phase, from urgent, short-term, medium-term to long-term. Accordingly, the most urgent task after the process of studying, monitoring and changing the hydrology of the Red River is to repair and replace degraded metal structures, at the same time reinforce the bridge piers and prevent riverbed erosion.
Proposed future bridge usage scenarios aim to partially restore the original design inaugurated in 1902, retain the 1972 reconstructed spans, and maintain the central railway for light-duty cruise ships.
Promoting values associated with urban space reconstruction
The renovation not only aims to preserve a building over 120 years old, but also opens up opportunities to rebuild the space on both banks of the Red River, creating momentum for sustainable urban development for the capital.
One of the breakthrough ideas to promote the value of Long Bien Bridge is to exploit the area of 131 stone arches on Phung Hung Street. Mr. Nguyen Minh Hai, General Director of Taseco Real Estate Investment Joint Stock Company, commented that Long Bien Bridge is not only a traffic project but also a historical and cultural symbol. "During the research process, we found that the arches leading to Long Bien Bridge parallel to Phung Hung Street and the 1.5km under the bridge are one of the heritages with deep historical and cultural values", Mr. Hai said.
Mr. Nguyen Minh Hai, General Director of Taseco Real Estate Investment Joint Stock Company, commented that Long Bien Bridge is not only a traffic project but also a historical and cultural symbol.
According to Resolution No. 25/2025/NQ-HDND on the commercial and cultural development zone in the City, the State encourages and prioritizes investment in infrastructure development, protection and promotion of cultural heritage values, development of cultural industrial centers within the commercial and cultural development zone; ensuring security, order, social safety, improving landscape and environment. Restoring Long Bien Bridge and developing cultural, commercial, service and tourism space projects in the area of 131 Phung Hung Bridge arches is not only to preserve urban achievements but also an opportunity to create a vibrant cultural space, a unique heritage tourism destination, contributing to the sustainable development of Hanoi.
Mr. Jean François Milou, member of the French and Singaporean Architects Association, pointed out the great commercial and exhibition potential of the 131 arches of Phung Hung bridge area.
Mr. Jean François Milou, a member of the French and Singaporean Architects Association, also pointed out the great potential for commerce and exhibition of the 131 arches of Phung Hung Bridge. He shared the idea of converting the function of Long Bien Bridge so that the bridge is not only a majestic architectural block but also fits into the urban space, creating convenience for people, making the arch area of the bridge more lively when the overall Phung Hung area is divided into 6 areas, revolving around art, handicrafts, traditional cuisine and a square for tourists to gather after finishing their trip at Long Bien station,...
The project “Cultural, commercial, service and tourism space in the area of 131 Phung Hung bridge arches” is considered a noble mission, requiring dedication, listening and cooperation from many sides. With the cooperation of the government, international and the trust of the community, the project is expected to bring comprehensive positive effects on economic, social and urban environmental aspects.
The renovation of Long Bien Bridge not only aims to preserve a structure over 120 years old but also opens up opportunities to rebuild the space on both banks of the Red River, creating a driving force for sustainable urban development for the Capital, attracting many domestic and foreign tourists, and giving it a new look in the future.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/bat-dong-san/bao-ton-phat-huy-di-san-cau-long-bien-gan-voi-tai-thiet-khong-giant-do-thi-20250917083757317.htm
![[Photo] Binh Trieu 1 Bridge has been completed, raised by 1.1m, and will open to traffic at the end of November.](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/1200x675/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2025/10/2/a6549e2a3b5848a1ba76a1ded6141fae)
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