Society

Long Bien bridge to undergo renovation with French aid

The Hanoi People’s Committee has approved the project, funded by the Economic Department of the French Embassy in Vietnam through the FASEP Fund under the French Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Long Bien bridge serves as a vital transport route and popular tourist attraction. (Photo: VNA)
Long Bien bridge serves as a vital transport route and popular tourist attraction. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – France has pledged nearly 20 billion VND (approximately 775,876 USD) in non-refundable aid for a research project on renovating Hanoi’s Long Bien bridge.

The Hanoi People’s Committee has approved the project, funded by the Economic Department of the French Embassy in Vietnam through the FASEP Fund under the French Ministry of Economy and Finance.

The project, slated for completion late this year, aims to assess renovation solutions to ensure the bridge’s structural safety and future use. It will focus on protecting pedestrians, two-wheeled vehicles, and railway operations, preserving the bridge’s heritage value, and exploring future usage scenarios.

Divided into three components, the project includes surveying, data collection and analysis, short-term renovation proposals to ensure traffic safety, and future usage plans once the national railway line ceases operations and the bridge is handed over to Hanoi’s administration.

Long Bien bridge, the first steel bridge over the Red River, connects the districts of Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh, and Long Bien. Built by French company Daydé & Pillé, construction began on September 12, 1898, and finished on February 28, 1902. The bridge was initially named Doumer after Paul Doumer, then Governor-General of Indochina.

cau-long-bien-18.jpg
Built by French company Daydé & Pillé, construction began on September 12, 1898. (Photo: VNA)

Once one of the world’s longest bridges at 2,290 metres, Long Bien bridge features a central railway track flanked by lanes for motor vehicles and pedestrians.

For over a century, the bridge has witnessed many pivotal moments in Vietnamese history, particularly during the wars against France and the US. Despite repeated bombings and damage, it has been repaired and remains a symbol of Hanoi’s resilience.

Today, Long Bien bridge serves as a vital transport route and popular tourist attraction. Visitors can enjoy views of the Red River, especially at sunrise or sunset, and the area around the bridge is known for its cafes and picturesque spots.

More than just a transport structure, Long Bien Bridge stands as a historical witness and cultural icon, holding deep emotional significance for generations of Hanoians./.

VNA
#Long Bien bridge #VietnamPlus #Vietnam News Agency #Vietnam #Hanoi Ha Noi
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

Motorcyclists cross the bridge. (Photo: VNA)

Long Bien Bridge set for renovation

The project aims to propose solutions to ensure the bridge’s structural safety and explore future uses once the railway line running across it is decommissioned.

See more

Young people take part in activities at the event to mark International Youth Day 2026 in Hanoi on August 9 (Photo: VNA)

Over 40 youth-led initiatives introduced at International Youth Day 2026

The event, organised by the Youth Advisory Group of the UN in Vietnam, brought together 44 youth groups, social enterprises, educational institutions and UN-supported programmes. Exhibition booths and interactive activities at the event introduced solutions created and led by young people.

The flag-raising ceremony at the A Pa Chai flagpole in Sin Thau commune, Dien Bien province (Photo: VNA)

“I Love My Fatherland” journey reaches Dien Bien

The "I Love My Fatherland" journey is an annual nationwide programme aimed at promoting patriotism, revolutionary ideals and civic responsibility among Vietnam's youth through visits to historical, cultural and sovereignty landmarks across the country.

Officers of the Dong Thap provincial Border Guard give gifts and provide information on IUU fishing control and prevention to fishermen at Vam Lang fishing port, Gia Thuan commune, Dong Thap province. (Photo: VNA)

Dong Thap tightens fishing vessel management

The provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, acting as the standing agency of Dong Thap's IUU Steering Committee, has been tasked with reviewing and updating the province's action plan to address recommendations raised during the EC's fifth inspection mission on Vietnam's anti-IUU efforts.

At the launch ceremony (Photo: VNA)

French-language newspaper launches video contest

The contest, announced this week, is a video-based evolution of the newspaper's 'Jeunes Reporters Francophones' competition, which has run for ten seasons since its 2016 launch with backing from the Asia-Pacific regional office of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).

Since the beginning of the year, Ca Mau provinces have inspected 100% of fishing vessels arriving at and departing from designated fishing ports in accordance with regulations. (Photo: VNA)

Ca Mau launches peak campaign to combat IUU fishing

As one of Vietnam’s largest fishing centres, with an extensive coastline and a sizeable offshore fleet, Ca Mau considers combating IUU fishing a top political priority. Provincial authorities said recent efforts have yielded positive results, particularly in fisheries management and law enforcement.

A consumer scans a product code to check its origin (Photo: VNA)

Legal safeguards for consumers in digital economy strengthened

Part of the Government's plan to implement the Law on Protection of Consumers’ Rights for the 2024-2026 period, the event highlighted key provisions of the law and its guiding documents, while updating participants on decentralised state management, complaint handling, dispute resolution and inter-agency coordination.

Foreign tourists on a beach in Phu Quoc. Phu Quoc will launch English training courses for local vendors, taxi drivers, tourism and service workers from September as part of preparations for the APEC 2027 Economic Leaders’ Week. (Photo: VNA)

Phu Quoc launches English classes for vendors, drivers ahead of APEC 2027

Under the project “Enhancing foreign language capacity for the community in the 2026–30 period, with a vision to 2045”, recently announced by the Phu Quoc Special Zone authorities, English programmes will be piloted at 10-15 schools across all three education levels from September 2026 to June 2027.

Fishing vessels owned by local fishermen are anchored off the coast of Ha Tien, An Giang province. (Photo: VNA)

An Giang takes zero-tolerance approach to IUU fishing

Alongside the continued implementation of comprehensive anti-IUU fishing measures, An Giang has proposed that the Government promptly introduce policies to support fishermen in switching livelihoods and decommissioning nearshore fishing vessels in order to conserve natural fisheries resources.

Defendant Nguyen Thanh Hiep is informed of procedural decisions by the police. (Photo: VNA)

Singer, media executive charged over YouTube music copyright infringement

The Investigation Police Agency under the municipal Public Security Department said on August 5 that it had prosecuted and placed in temporary detention Nguyen Thi Hien, owner of the YouTube channel Phuong Diem Huyen, and Nguyen Thanh Hiep, Director of Unicorn Vietnam Media and Entertainment Co., Ltd., for investigation on the charge of infringing copyright and related rights under Article 225 of Vietnam's Penal Code.