Long Bien bridge, spanning the width of the Red River at over 1.6 km, stands in Hanoi as a symbol of the achievements of technology in the early 20th century, of longevity, beauty, and historical values past and future, and cultural heritage for a growing Hanoi to reflect upon. Learn more: Hanoi tours
It has been claimed that Gustave Eiffel designed the bridge, but he was not involved at all.
The architectural firm responsible was actually Daydé & Pillé, overseen by Governor- General Paul Doumer, for whom the bridge was named. However, the Vietnamese called it cầu Sông Cái (Bridge of the Mother River), or its eventual name, cầu Long Biên (Bridge of the Intersecting Dragons). According to legend, a dragon appeared over the waters as this town was formed. Construction began in 1898 and ended in 1902; the bridge opened to traffic in 1903.
The bridge was the first to cross the Red River, which can be quite ferocious and unpredictable, shattering dikes, flooding inhabited land, and swallowing buildings whole. It was quite controversial, and criticized by the French and Vietnamese from conception to construction, as they thought the bridge was simply not feasible. Critics were shocked when the bridge was finally complete.
In 1946, as the start of the resistance against the French, the people of Hanoi turned the city into a battlefield for sixty days. The defenders eventually had to evacuate. Over a thousand people quietly and safely crossed the river beneath the bridge, right below French soldiers armed with guns and woolen coats, shivering in the cold and rainy night. As the war went on, the bridge was repeatedly bombed, repaired, and zealously guarded.
Today, Long Bien bridge is no longer an artery of transportation. However, it continues to be
a picturesque sightseeing point, a historical relic, and an architectural marvel.
Founder & Photography Guide
Specialties: Culture, landscape, portrait, hiking, active and adventurous tour
Besides my unlimited passion for traveling, a professional tour guide for over a decade, I have been taking photographs since sitting at Hanoi of the University of Culture in the early 2000s. Photography started as a hobby but it was seriously taken due to my work relations and my significant passion for the beauty of our world, especially in Southeast Asian parts such as Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar.
Within a few years of taking photographs, my works began to be recognized by many reliable international publications such as AFAR Travel, The Times, and The Daily Telegraph newspaper. In addition, I continuously add to my growing profile by winning numerous major awards: 3rd Position of The Independent Photographer 2018, 1st Position of Amateur Photographer of the year 2018, Grand Prize Winner of the AFAR Travel Photography 2019, and a Gold Award of San Francisco Bay International Photography 2020.
I photograph a wide variety of subjects, from travel to landscapes to street scenes. I enjoy documenting the East’s rich cultural heritage and its land soaked in glorious sunrise or sunset light in remote and secluded spots. And, I am very happy to share my knowledge and experience with you. You can visit Luminousvietnamtour to explore tour!
