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| Pedestrian paths along the river in Hue City |
Major projects underway
It’s not difficult to notice that the center of Hue City is developing along the East - West and North - South axes, with the Huong River as the main scenic axis. This development direction extends from the mountainous areas to the sea and
Many Hue residents admit that the banks of the Huong River have never been as vibrant and beautiful as they are today, thanks to the investment in the riverside pedestrian walkways with embankments, flowers, greenery, and lawns. These connected pedestrian routes not only enhance the city’s urban aesthetics but also become a highlight for tourism and service development, enhancing the landscape, ecology, and cultural value of Hue.
In addition to the riverside pedestrian system, Hue now boasts a new, modern bridge with a unique design crossing the Huong River - Nguyen Hoang Bridge. This is the eighth bridge spanning the river, together with Truong Tien, Phu Xuan, Da Vien, Bach Ho, Tuan, Cho Dinh, and Thao Long bridges, contribute to the city’s modern transportation network.
More than just easing urban traffic congestion, Nguyen Hoang Bridge has also become a nighttime destination for locals and tourists. At night, the bridge is illuminated in vibrant colors that reflect on the water, creating a shimmering, multicolored scene.
Alongside the “inner-city bridges” are newly constructed roads that are improving transport infrastructure and inter-regional connectivity, thus boosting the city’s socio-economic development. Notable among these are the Thuy Duong - Thuan An route and the coastal road. Especially significant is the extended To Huu Road leading to Phu Bai Airport, with a total investment of over VND 1,100 billion currently under construction. Once completed, this road will enhance the regional traffic network, meet commuting and transport needs, reduce pressure on National Highway 1A, and attract investors to the new An Van Duong urban area while also generating revenue from land development for Hue City.
Currently, on transportation construction sites, taking advantage of favorable weather, investors and contractors are actively implementing projects to ensure schedule progress. Typical routes such as Pham Van Dong, Ba Trieu, Nguyen Gia Thieu, and Cho Mai - Tan My are being built to connect the central urban areas with satellite towns, significantly boosting regional development efficiency upon completion.
Bridging the gap
Heading towards Thuan An, the image of the longest sea-crossing bridge in Central Vietnam is gradually taking shape, rising majestically amidst the ocean.
At the bridge’s recent beam-joining ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Van Phuong, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee and Chairman of the People’s Committee of Hue City, affirmed that this is an important milestone marking the urban transformation of the city and its coastal localities. The Thuan An sea-crossing bridge will be technically open to traffic and put into operation on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day (September 2, 1945 – September 2, 2025).
Along with the Thuan An bridge, the 127km coastal road running through the city is also being invested in, linking with National Route 49B. This road “accompanies” bridges such as Hoa Xuan, Truong Ha, Tu Hien, and Tam Giang (Ca Cut), crossing lagoons and seas, forming a continuous coastal traffic system from North to South. This ensures sustainable regional connectivity and shortens the distance between coastal localities.
Another strategically significant bridge will be constructed to span the Tam Giang Lagoon, connecting Phu Vang commune with Phu Vinh commune with a total investment of over VND 1,000 billion. This bridge is expected to begin construction in 2026 and be completed in 2028, shortening the distance between coastal communes and the city center. Upon completion, this will be the sixth bridge crossing Tam Giang - Cau Hai Lagoon, creating momentum to attract investment, develop socio-economic conditions, and meet the daily needs of residents in coastal and lagoon areas.
It can be seen that the bridges in Hue today are no longer merely transport infrastructure but have become symbols, asserting the city’s rising stature. They also serve as tourist destinations that leave a Hue imprint on the tourism and service map. The image of wide, bright roads and shimmering bridges at night forms a panoramic picture of a dynamic, modern Hue that is harmoniously developed alongside a heritage-rich, culturally distinctive urban area.