The Hac Tri Bridge, part of the National Highway 2 which spans across the Lo River in northern Phu Tho province, became open to traffic on May 19.

The operation is expected to reduce traffic congestion in the locality, particularly during the Hung Kings Temple Festival held annually from the eight to the eleventh day of the third lunar month, honouring the legendary founders of the nation.

The six-lane bridge, built at a cost of more than 1.9 trillion VND (88.4 million USD), is 736.5 metres long and 24 metres wide. The construction started in November 2013 and was completed 6 months ahead of schedule.

The same day work began on the Viet Tri-Ba Vi Bridge linking Hanoi and Phu Tho. The bridge, worth 1.5 trillion VND (69.8 million USD), is 1,557 metres in length and 12 metres in width. Once operational, it will shorten the distance between the provincial Viet Tri city and Hanoi by 20 kilometres.-VNA