The Phu My bridge, crossing over the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh City, was inaugurated and unofficially opened to traffic on the country’s National Day, September 2, in the presence of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

“The bridge bears multi-dimensional significance to Ho Chi Minh City in both short and long terms,” PM Dung emphasised.

He highlighted the city’s application of the BOT (Build-Operation-Transfer) formula for the construction of the bridge, describing it as an appropriate form to mobilise both local and foreign investment capital for the project.

Completed in the record time of 30 months, four months ahead of schedule, the 2,101m long and 27.5m wide, cable -stayed bridge was constructed by Australia’s New South Wales-based construction company Baulderstone in partnership with Germany's Bilfinger Berger.

The 2.5 trillion VND bridge will help finish the municipal belt road and contribute to creating a momentum for socio-economic development in the city’s eastern and southern parts and easing traffic pressure on the city’s inner districts.

As planned, the bridge will officially open to traffic on September 9./.