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| Thuan An sea gate overpass bridge is considered one of the most modern and largest-scale bridges in the Central region. Photo: Bao Chau |
Interregional connectivity
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Hue City (March 26th, 2025), Nguyen Hoang Bridge was officially opened to technical traffic-through, marking one of the most significant milestones in the city’s transport infrastructure. Built with reinforced concrete, the bridge is 380 meters long and 43 meters wide, comprising six automobile lanes, two motorcycle lanes, and a 3.5-meter pedestrian walkway. The project has a total investment of more than VND 2,280 billion and was completed in just four years ahead of schedule.
Inspired by the golden ceremonial parasol of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors, Nguyen Hoang Bridge makes a strong impression with its modern and elegant design while retaining a deep Hue cultural identity. Thanks to this distinctive appearance, locals affectionately call it the “Golden Parasol Bridge”, a new symbol of the city along the poetic Huong River.
Beyond easing traffic pressure in the central area and creating a north–south connection axis, Nguyen Hoang Bridge has also become a new check-in spot, attracting visitors to admire sunsets, river scenery, and sparkling lights at night. Together with Trang Tien, Phu Xuan, Bach Ho, Da Vien bridges, Nguyen Hoang Bridge contributes to completing the city’s transport system in a modern direction, meeting the travel needs of both residents and tourists.
Just one month after Nguyen Hoang Bridge was opened to traffic, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the complete liberation of the South and national reunification (April 30th), the Thuan An sea gate overpass bridge, part of the coastal pedestrian road project with a phase-one total investment of 2,400 billion VND, was also officially connected after more than 3.5 years of construction. The bridge is 2.36 kilometers long and 20 meters wide, with a main span of 23.5 meters and a hybrid girder-cable structure, becoming a key project that opens up Hue City’s coastal connectivity corridor.
At the same time, expansion projects for the Cam Lo - La Son and La Son - Hoa Lien expressways, upgrading from two lanes to four lanes, are being urgently implemented. Despite prolonged periods of cold and rainy weather, contractors have maintained round-the-clock construction progress. Mr. Tran Duc Hiep, Director of the La Son - Hoa Lien Project Management Board, shared: “We have mobilized maximum equipment, vehicles, and manpower, working continuously to make up for time affected by floods and rain in order to ensure progress as required”.
These projects, once completed, will help form an interregional transport system, shortening travel time from Hue to Da Nang, Quang Tri, and major economic centers in the region. At the same time, they will open up opportunities for economic, tourism, and service development for people in lagoon-side areas where the projects pass through.
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Driving forces for development
Not stopping at completed key projects, many strategic projects are being prepared for investment, promising to create new momentum for the city’s development in the coming period. A typical example is the Vinh Tu Bridge construction project (2026 - 2030), spanning the Tam Giang Lagoon and connecting wards and communes such as Quang Dien, Dan Dien, and Phong Quang, forming a “fishbone” traffic axis linking National Highways 49A, 49B, and the city’s provincial road system.
Chairman of the Thuan An Ward People’s Committee, Le Dinh Phong, commented: “In the near future, when the Thuan An sea gate overpass is fully completed and Vinh Tu Bridge breaks ground, the coastal corridor will be further perfected. This will open up major opportunities for economic and tourism development, especially in exploiting the Tam Giang - Cau Hai lagoon ecosystem”.
Alongside this are a series of routes such as the Phu My - Thuan An axis, Cho Mai - Tan My road, and the Tam Giang - Cau Hai lagoon-side route, which have been invested in and are gradually being completed in a synchronized manner. These routes not only help reduce pressure on National Highway 1A but also connect the central axis with coastal and lagoon-side economic zones, creating favorable conditions for strong development in tourism, fisheries, trade, and services.
The North - South high-speed railway project passing through Hue City is also entering an accelerated phase, with site clearance basically completed. Many supporting works for this project have been launched to ensure progress.
Mr. Le Anh Tuan, Director of the Department of Construction, affirmed: “Key transport projects such as Nguyen Hoang Bridge and the Thuan An sea-gate overpass, completed and put into operation in 2025, are an important foundation for Hue to move toward a modern urban model associated with service and tourism development in the coming years”.
It can be seen that newly invested bridges and roads have been and continue to expand Hue’s development scope in a more comprehensive direction. Coastal and lagoon-side areas that were once quiet are now becoming destinations for many investors. Smooth transport helps agricultural products, seafood, tourism services, and trade reach markets faster and more efficiently.
Hue’s urban space is also clearly forming new development axes: toward the sea, lagoons, and hilly areas. Bridges and roads cutting through hills and crossing the sea not only enhance the landscape and complete transport infrastructure but also create new growth momentum for the city’s expanded western and eastern urban areas.
From the city center to coastal and lagoon-side regions, vibrant construction activity can be seen everywhere. New bridges and roads stretching across the sea and lagoons seem to affirm that Hue is entering a phase of strong development.