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| Two banks of the Perfume River being connected |
The “soul” of Hue
On a day in late autumn, I walked along the southern bank of the Perfume River. In front of me, Truong Tien Bridge appeared with its gentle arch, mirrored in the water. Over 120 years old, the bridge is not only the first transportation structure spanning the Perfume River but also a symbol of Hue’s culture and people.
The Bridge has six spans and twelve curved steel arches crossing the poetic Perfume River, like a soft silk ribbon connecting the north and south banks. On the northern side lie Dong Ba Market, Tran Hung Dao Street, and the old Gia Hoi quarter – once bustling with traders. The southern side stands the vibrant center of the ancient Hue. I suddenly recalled the words of a sweet-soup vendor on Tran Hưng Dao Street: “Truong Tien isn’t just a bridge. It is memory; it is affection. Hue changes every day, but Truong Tien remains as it is – preserving Hue’s soul.” Indeed, amid the new constructions around it, Truong Tien quietly keeps the ancient charm of Hue – the city’s soul – where past and present converge in the whisper of the river breeze.
Bridges of aspiration
Along Le Loi Street, Phu Xuan Bridge brings a different rhythm to Hue – more dynamic and modern. Built in 1970 and upgraded several times in recent decades, the bridge not only alleviates traffic congestion but also gives the city center a new look.
Next is Da Vien Bridge, inaugurated in 2011, linking the city center with the ecological gardens of Kim Long and Thuy Bieu. Downstream stands Cho Dinh Bridge, simple yet strong. Here, the Perfume River begins to merge with Tam Giang Lagoon, and Cho Dinh Bridge extends the city eastward, allowing lagoon-side communities to participate in urban development.
Recently, Nguyen Hoang Bridge – considered an iconic architectural work over the Perfume River – was completed and put into use, becoming a symbol of the “new” Hue. The bridge stretches more than 306 meters, with the entire route spanning about 1.6 kilometers and 43 meters wide, connecting the city center with the northwest area and opening new directions for urban, tourism, and service development. From the Bridge, looking downstream, one can still spot Truong Tien Bridge in the distance, serene and gentle. Two bridges, two generations – but both share the same aspiration for Hue’s sustainable growth.
Extending Cultural Values
Beyond the Perfume River, Hue is also proud of Tam Giang - Cau Hai Lagoon, known as a “water museum” and one of Southeast Asia’s richest fisheries. For generations, local people have lived by net fishing, aquaculture, and eco-tourism. In addition to being strictly protected to prevent illegal exploitation in the meantime, the lagoon area receive considerable investments in the development of major roads leading toward the sea.
I had the chance to follow engineers to the construction site of Thuan An sea-crossing bridge, over 2.36 kilometers long, now in its final stages. Amid the roaring waves and machinery, the spans gradually connect the two sides, linking the city center to the sea. “When it opens, it will take just over 20 minutes to travel from Thuan An Ward’s center to the beach. This is expected to become the key traffic route for the city’s coastal economic development,” said Mr. Nguyen Nam Tung, supervising engineer of the Bridge.
Also, the Vinh Tu and Phu Vang Bridges will soon be under construction, with the total investment capital of VND trillions, joining Truong Ha and Tu Hien Bridges to complete the Tam Giang lagoon-crossing system.
Once finished, these bridges will stretch like arms reaching toward the open sea, embodying Hue’s confidence in and aspiration for integration as well as sustainable development. While other provinces build bridges to demonstrate speed and youthful energy, Hue builds bridges to preserve the rhythm of life and extend its cultural values.