Truong Tien Bridge in Hue City was returned to its historic silver color

Hue City

After more than 30 years of being covered in opaque white, the Truong Tien Bridge spanning the Perfume River is being returned to its silver color, close to the appearance of the bridge under the Nguyen Dynasty.

In the early days of September, Hue residents and tourists walking along the banks of the Perfume River were surprised to see the city's iconic bridge dressed in bright silver. Under the sunlight, the steel arch bridges stand out in the middle of the Perfume River, creating an appearance that is both familiar and strange. The new paint not only changes the appearance but also helps protect the steel structures against the harsh environment on the Huong River.

According to researcher Nguyen Xuan Hoa, former Director of the Department of Culture and Information of Thua Thien Hue province, the original Truong Tien Bridge under the Nguyen Dynasty was silver in color. After a major restoration in 1995, the construction unit painted the bridge an opaque white color and exists until today.

Mr. Hoa commented that Truong Tien Bridge was repainted in silver emulsion color during this repair, closer to the historical image of the bridge, creating harmony with the landscape of the Huong River and surrounding heritage buildings.

The painting of Truong Tien bridge has been carried out since the beginning of June. The Central Region Road Project Management Board organized the repair, maintenance and repainting of the steel structure system, with a total cost of more than 9 billion VND. Construction work from 9:00 p.m. the previous day to 5:00 a.m. the next day. During this time, people are instructed to divert via Phu Xuan, Da Vien or Cho Dinh bridges.

A representative of the Central Region Road Project Management Board said that after repainting the entire steel arch system of Truong Tien bridge, the construction unit is focusing on reinforcing the rusted steel system and completing it. Repairs will be completed before the rainy season.

Truong Tien Bridge was built in 1897 under the reign of King Thanh Thai. The Ambassador of Central Vietnam assigned Eiffel (France) to construct the project. The bridge was completed in 1899, 401 m long, 6.2 m wide, including 6 semicircular steel beams.

In 1937, under the reign of King Bao Dai, Truong Tien Bridge had corridors on both sides expanded for bicycles and pedestrians and additional viewing balconies were built. In 1991-1995, Truong Tien Bridge was restored by Thang Long Bridge 1 Company but did not have a balcony system like the time of King Bao Dai.

In 2017, Truong Tien Bridge was restored by Road Management Department 2 with 10 balconies at five bridge pillars for tourists to enjoy the scenery. The balconies are built in a semi-hexagonal shape on both sides of the bridge piers, 7 m long and 1.25 m wide, protruding into the river following the model of Truong Tien Bridge balconies during the reign of King Bao Dai.