1. Overview about Truong Tien Bridge
You can not leave Hue without exploring the iconic attraction of the city which is Truong Tien brige. This is the pride of our ancient capital and it has gone through many historical events. Being built in 1899, the bridge has catched strong attention of worldwide visitors. Although, the attraction has gone many renovation periods due to the damage of the wars and hard weather. But Truong Tien bridge still stands strong with original architectures for locals and international tourists.
Truong Tien bridge has become a symbol of Hue city where the pride shines brightly. Everywhere you go, if you mention about this iconic attraction, people will automatically think about our Hue city. Spanding peaceful on Perfume River, the bridge is the highlight of your discovery of our ancient capital. Whether you are walking around in pedestrian area or taking a dragon boat trip on the Perfume River to admire the beauty of Truong Tien bridge, the experiences are extraordinary. In this travel blog, Explore Vietnam Travel will share travel guide about one of the symbols of Hue city.
2. Where is Truong Tien bridge?
Being located in the heart of Hue city, you can see Truong Tien bridge easily. It is spanning the illustrious Perfume River. The northern end is graced in the embrace of Phu Hoa Ward, while the southern end is welcomed by the warmth of Phu Hoi Ward.
This engineering marvel was the very first bridge in Indochina to be erected using pioneering techniques and materials procured from the Western world. The structure, forged from steel, boasts a grandiose length of 402.60 meters and is comprised of six majestic steel girder spans fashioned into the regal silhouette of a crown. Each magnificent span spans a remarkable 67 meters in width.
3. History of Truong Tien Bridge
Going through many important events of Hue city, Truong Tien bridge has some special periods to remember nowadays. The following information are the history to build Truong Tien bridge:
- August 1896: King Thanh Thai ordered the construction of a bridge spanning the Perfume River Hue.
- 1897: Construction of the bridge began.
- 1899: The bridge was completed and opened to the public, and was named Thanh Thai Bridge.
- 1919 – March 1945: The bridge was renamed Clémenceau, a tribute to a former French Prime Minister of the era.
- In 1945, under the administration of Tran Trong Kim, the bridge was rechristened Nguyen Hoang Bridge in honour of a nobleman who made significant contributions to the development of the Thuan Hoa region.
- After 1975, the bridge was officially named Truong Tien. Truong Tien Hue was derived from the common name used by the people, as there was a mint on the downstream side of the bridge during the Nguyen dynasty.
- From 1995 onwards, following restoration and repair, the construction team unilaterally changed the name from Truong Tien Bridge to Trang Tien Bridge, affixing a nameplate reading Trang Tien to the head of the bridge. However, the local authorities restored the name of the bridge to Truong Tien. Even so, both the names, Truong Tien and Trang Tien, have since coexisted, with the bridge having evolved into an attractive tourist destination in Hue.
4. What to do at Truong Tien Bridge?
4.1. Admire the beauty of Perfume River and Hue city
Because of the prime location of Truong Tien bridge in Hue city, you will see important landmarks in the area such as Perfume River, Lim bridge. Hue Imperial City and Dong Ba market. The highlight is peaceful atmosphere of Perfume River when you stand from the bridge. The tranquil river and clean water will send you a relaxation feeling during your holiday. You might also see some local boats or dragon boats which paddle on Perfume River. Especially, during the dawn to dusk hours, you will see the view of Hue is like a picturesque.
In 2002, Truong Tien Bridge underwent a modernization, in which an advanced color-changing light system was installed alongside the existing lighting system. This augmentation bestowed upon the bridge a fresh and scintillating aura every evening, imbuing it with irresistible magnetism.
Especially, at night time, you will hear some melodies of Hue folk songs from Truong Tien bridge. The artists perform every evening for visitors on the dragon boats. The experience is unforgettable in our ancient capital.
4.2. Take photos with Truong Tien Bridge
Taking many impressive photos with Truong Tien bridge is a must-do list for all visitors. Truong Tien Bridge exudes an ancient, serene, and striking beauty, making it a picturesque backdrop for capturing stunning, Instagram-worthy shots. Do not miss the chance to take a leisurely stroll on the bridge and capture countless beautiful photographs. During your travel, be sure to add this activity to your list of things to do in Hue.
4.3. Stroll down to pedestrian streets
Beside walking around Truong Tien bridge, you can take the opportunity to explore the pedestrian areas such as Lim bridge or Nguyen Dinh Chieu street. Some street vendor owners sell local cuisines for you to enjoy during your exploration. It’s a great opportunity to try local culinary delights. You can capture many wonderful photos of Truong Tien bridge from the pedestriant streets. We recommend you visit the bridge at night time because of the changing lights system at Truong Tien bridge. Its special for photographs.
4.4. Visit nearby attractions in Truong Tien Bridge
It will be more exciting to visit other attractions in the same day with Truong Tien bridge. The following information are the landmarks which are near Truong Tien bridge. You can read the attraction recommendations bellow:
- Dong Ba market: This is one of the largest traditional markets in Hue, which represents the lifestyle and daily activities of local people. Come and take a stroll around, try some delicious dishes, and buy some souvenirs for an even more enjoyable trip.
- Hue Imperial City: This site exudes a distinctive cultural, historical, and architectural elegance, characteristic of the Nguyen Dynasty, and thus earned the distinction of being a World Cultural Heritage site, as designated by UNESCO in 1993. Indeed, a visit to this awe-inspiring complex will provide a window into the life and work of the ancient royal court.
- Thien Mu pagoda: This ethereal pagoda is deemed as the “soul” of Hue, perched on the serene Ha Khe Hill, situated a mere 5 kilometers away from the urban hub. With the Perfume River adorning its façade, and the picturesque terrain complementing its magnificence, Thien Mu Pagoda bears an incomparable grandeur.
5. How to get to Truong Tien Bridge?
In order to travel to Truong Tien bridge, you can choose diverse vehicles in Hue city such as bicyles, motorbikes, private cars, cyclos and so on. If your hotel stays close to the city center, you even can walk to the bridge easily. However, if you plan to explore other tourist attractions in the same day, our recommendation is traveling by car or motorbike. The time duration to explore Truong Tien bridge is only 15 – 20 minutes so you must consider to discover other places in Hue.
6. Conclusion
Being renowned as one of a favorite landmark in Hue city, Truong Tien bridge is not only impressed visitors by the beauty but also the historical events. They have made this place attractive and special to tourist’s hearts. With the impressive design of 6 pairs steel span and most of the materials from Westerns, Truong Tien bridge is a must-do attraction in Hue city. Whether you tend to visit the landmark at day or night time, Truong Tien bridge has its own beauty in different time periods. Explore Vietnam Travel hopes this article is useful for your trip plans in Hue city. Thank you for your reading. Wishing you a happy vacation.