Inspired by the renowned Long Bien Bridge, artist Dang Viet has recently opened his private exhibition titled “The Bridge” in Hanoi. The exhibition features a lot of eye-catching artworks, with the highlight being watercolour silk paintings of Long Bien Bridge in various angles. The paintings carry the artist’s feelings and emotions when he passes the bridge every day and witnesses changes to it over history. Besides dazzling paintings on Long Bien Bridge, those on green trees and frogs are also on display. Through which, the artist expresses his love for the nature given the urban expansion. The exhibition takes place until May 20.-VNA … [Read more...] about Exhibition inspired by Long Bien Bridge
Long bien bridge hanoi
Long Bien Bridge turned into dating site with love locks
Hanoi’s iconic Long Bien Bridge has emerged as a popular dating site as lovers use love locks and graffiti to save the memories. Long Bien Bridge was designed by the French and constructed from 1898 to 1902. It was called Paul-Doumer Bridge, named after Paul Doumer - The Governor-General of French Indochina. As more and more couples have started going to the bridge for dates, they left love locks and graffiti on the bridge similar to the old love locks on the Pont de L'Archevêché in France. Many people carved the date or wrote their names on the locks. Hundreds of couples locked their loves on the bridge each year. In 2017, the local authorities had to remove all the locks in order to preserve the bridge and to prevent the barriers from becoming rusty and potentially collapsing due to metal fatigue but new locks still appeared afterwards. Many people agree that it is a romantic gesture but shouldn't be practised anymore since it will damage the bridge. Some … [Read more...] about Long Bien Bridge turned into dating site with love locks
Long Bien Bridge expected to be turned into living museum
In recent years, preserving the iconic Long Bien Bridge has attracted public concern in Hanoi. With a determination to maintain heritage, Vietnamese architects have worked hard to preserve the bridge for the next generation. A project that would transform Long Bien Bridge into a cultural art space of Vietnamese-French architect Nguyen Nga has received public attention. The project will be carried out under the private-public partnership model, with total investment of 215 million USD. The project has received warm response from many other architects and authorised bodies as the bridge will become a historical tourism site, attracting both home and foreign visitors. However, there will be difficulties in implementing the project. Long Bien Bridge has witnessed the ups and downs and historical moments of the capital city. Therefore, transforming the bridge into a museum is architects’ aspiration. After a century to serve its transportation function, the bridge has been seriously … [Read more...] about Long Bien Bridge expected to be turned into living museum
Street vendors cash in on Long Bien Bridge
Many areas in the Long Bien Bridge are being occupied by street vendors who overcharge travellers for snacks. Street vendors on Long Bien Bridge Long Bien Bridge was built from 1899 to 1902 and is a symbol of Hanoi. It consists of a railway and two roads on either side. But those roads are being illegally occupied by street vendors who sell tea and some snacks. They lay out a mat and waited for customers from 7 pm to 12 am. According to the locals, the street vendors have encroached Long Bien Bridge for years and those areas were busiest during the summer. The mats and the motorbikes of customers block the road night after night without any interference from the authorities. The vendors mostly target students and travellers from other provinces. The prices are set unreasonably high, with a dish of fruits costing VND100,000 (USD4), a cup of ice tea VND50,000, VND30,000 for grilled corn and VND70,000 for 45 minutes sitting on the mats. VND300,000 drinks and snacks Arguing … [Read more...] about Street vendors cash in on Long Bien Bridge
Life under Long Bien Bridge revealed
Long Bien Bridge is one of Hanoi’s most iconic landmarks. However, it is being seriously polluted by large amounts of rubbish. Every day, people who live under the bridge at Phuc Xa Ward, Ba Dinh District, have to face the smell of rubbish along with the sewage. The pollution has recently worsened as the water level of Red River is rising due to heavy rains. Piles of rubbish under the bridge The rubbish fully covers the sewer. Decayed fruit Workers often rest under Long Bien Bridge. Most of them are from other localities and they come to Hanoi to work. This area is known for it's run-down and very small six square metre rooms. The Red River’s water level is rising, bringing more rubbish to the area. … [Read more...] about Life under Long Bien Bridge revealed