Thanh Toan Bridge – A Rare Structure in Hue City

When many of the Japanese people arriving in Hue chose to make it their home so many years ago, they decided to start constructing covered bridges to show their appreciation to the locals. While there are so many Japanese covered bridges within the country of Vietnam, one of the best in Hue is the Thanh Toan Bridge.

You will find this rare structure in Hue City over in Thuy Thanh Village, which is a sleepy area with a lot of charm. This village is approximately seven kilometers to the east of Hue, so you can visit it without too much of a struggle.

(Thanh Toan Bridge)

The Thanh Toan Bridge was constructed during the middle of the 18^th century by Emperor Le Hien Tong. The money for the bridge came from Tran Thi Dao, who was the wealthy wife of one of the Emperor’s courtiers. The bridge was built over a canal that connected what was originally two sides of the village.

The Thanh Toan Bridge, a rare structure in Hue City, is considered one of the most popular bridges in the country. Therefore, many people add it to their list of places to see when they are vacationing in Vietnam.

(Thanh Toan Bridge)

The bridge is seventeen meters long and four meters wide, which is shocking to those that do not expect it to be that big when they see it for the first time. The bridge is arched and there are balconies on either side for capturing the stunning views. The railings keep people from stumbling off the bridge and the benches are perfect for sitting down and relaxing during a visit. The interior of the bridge is designed to look like seven different rooms of a house. There are ancestral altars and places to worship in one of the rooms.

(Thanh Toan Bridge)

There are eighteen pillars in all holding this bridge up, as well as lots of ironwork. The roof is metal, and the entire bridge is filled with intricate details that have been carefully preserved over the years.

On one end of the bridge, there is the village market. This market is not that large, but it has a little of everything for you to purchase. The other side of the bridge is where you will find a showroom filled with many different architectural tools. This is also an excellent place to learn how rice is grown and harvested.

(Thanh Toan Bridge)

One of the best ways to reach this beautiful and historical bridge is by riding a bicycle. Yes, you can take a motorbike or taxi, but then you might miss out on all the scenery along the way. A trip via bicycle will allow you to stop whenever you wish, to see the sights, meet the locals, and even see a typical family home.

(Thanh Toan Bridge)

While the Thanh Toan Bridge is usually crowded with people, the larger crowds arrive during the Hue Festival. This festival is held every other year, always on an even year, and it is towards the end of April or the beginning of May. If you want to experience the magic that happens during this festival, this is an excellent time to venture out towards this bridge. However, if you despise lots of people, you may want to plan your visit to the Thanh Toan Bridge for a time when it will be a little less crowded.

The entrance fee for the Thanh Toan Bridge is 30,000 VND per person, which is used to help keep the bridge in excellent shape for future generations.

When you have seen the bridge and you are ready to move on, it is wise to spend a little time within the Thanh Thuy Village. The village is filled with many temples, a clan ancestral house, and many gardens.

With so much to see in the village that surrounds the Thanh Toan Bridge, it is best to plan a full day for your visit. While you can see much of it within a half of a day, you may feel rushed in some areas. However, you can choose to spend as much time as you wish there, as long as you take the time to see it! After all, there is no right or wrong way to experience any part of Vietnam and that includes the infamous Thanh Toan Bridge!