Long Bien Bridge

Long Bien Bridge crosses the Red River at the north-eastern edge of the Old Quarter in Hanoi, Vietnam, linking Hoan Kiem District with Long Bien District. The steel cantilever bridge was built by the French between 1899 and 1902 and designed by the firm of Gustave Eiffel, and at nearly 2.5 km long it was once among the longest bridges in Asia. It was heavily bombed during the American War, with several spans destroyed and rebuilt, so the profile is uneven, mixing original and later sections. Today it remains in daily use: a single railway track runs down the middle, flanked by narrow lanes for motorbikes and bicycles on either side, and pedestrians walk along the outer edges. Crossing on foot takes 30 to 45 minutes each way and gives sweeping views of the Red River, sandbanks with vegetable plots and the city skyline. Life on and around the bridge is a large part of the appeal: vendors on bicycles, commuters, fishermen and photographers all share the structure, and trains cross at intervals, so visitors need to step aside quickly. Below the northern approach on the Hoan Kiem side is a large wholesale market, and riverside gardens on the Long Bien side offer a quiet place to rest. The rusting girders, the lattice pattern and the light through the beams give it a distinctive look, especially at sunrise or late afternoon when the light is warm and the heat is reduced. Midday is hot and exposed with no shade. The bridge is free and open around the clock, though it is safest and most pleasant in daylight. Uneven surfaces and gaps in the walkway mean sturdy footwear is advisable. It is a 20-minute walk from the Old Quarter or a short Grab ride.