Truong Tien Bridge Hue 2026: History, Night Lights & Myths

Truong Tien Bridge (Cầu Trường Tiền) is Hue’s historic steel bridge across the Perfume River, linking the Citadel side with the modern south bank. Opened in 1900, it is 402.6 m long with six arched spans of 67 m each and is beautifully lit in changing colours at night. Walking across is free and takes about ten minutes.

Status (checked October 2026): under repair and repainting since 1 June 2026 (planned for about 150 days, so works may continue into November). During the works, one pavement is closed, all vehicles are banned from 21:00 to 05:00, and scaffolding may affect views and lighting; use Phu Xuan or Da Vien bridges if you are driving at night.

Why Truong Tien Bridge is worth seeing:

A symbol of Hue: the “six spans, twelve arches” bridge appears in countless Vietnamese songs and poems.
Over 125 years of history: built by French engineers, damaged by flood and war, and rebuilt several times.
Night lights: colour-changing LED lighting reflected in the Perfume River.
The best river views: look upstream towards the Citadel and the boats at the pier.
Free and central: between Dong Ba Market and the riverside hotels.

Truong Tien Bridge at a Glance

Vietnamese name	Cầu Trường Tiền (also Cầu Tràng Tiền)
Location	Across the Perfume River between Phu Xuan Ward (north bank, by Dong Ba Market) and Thuan Hoa Ward (south bank, Le Loi Street), Hue City
Built	Designed 1897; work began 1899; inaugurated 18 December 1900
Size	402.6 m long, 6 m wide, six steel spans of 67 m
Name	From the Nguyen dynasty royal mint (truong tien) that stood nearby
Known for	Gothic-style arches, night lighting, songs and poems about Hue
Opening hours	Open 24 hours; during the 2026 repairs vehicles are banned 21:00–05:00
Entrance fee	Free
Time needed	15–30 minutes (longer with a riverside walk)
Best time	After dark for the lights; sunrise for calm river views
Nearby	Dong Ba Market, Perfume River boat pier, Hue Imperial City, Le Loi riverside park
Find it	Google Maps · Tripadvisor · Wikipedia

Is Truong Tien Bridge Worth Visiting?

Yes, especially in the evening; it costs nothing and you will probably cross it anyway. The bridge itself is a modest steel structure, but its history, its place in Vietnamese culture and the views of the Perfume River make a short walk worthwhile. Combine it with Dong Ba Market and a riverside dinner.

Best for: evening strollers, photographers and anyone staying on the south bank.
Skip if: you dislike traffic; motorbikes use the roadway beside the pavements.
Short on time? Photograph it from the south-bank riverside park after dark; you do not need to cross.

History of Truong Tien Bridge

A French-built bridge for the royal capital

In 1897 the French Resident Superior in Annam commissioned the engineering firm Schneider et Cie et Letellier to design an iron bridge across the Perfume River. Work began in May 1899 and the bridge was inaugurated on 18 December 1900, at a cost of about 732,456 francs. It took its name from the royal mint (Truong Tien) that stood nearby.

Floods, war and many rebuildings

The great Year of the Dragon flood on 11 September 1904 swept four spans into the river, and the bridge reopened in 1906 with a concrete deck. After Emperor Thanh Thai was exiled in 1907, the French renamed it Clemenceau Bridge. Between 1937 and 1939 the Eiffel company (then Anciens Etablissements Eiffel) replaced and strengthened the structure and added pavements; this is the origin of the popular but inaccurate belief that Gustave Eiffel designed the bridge.

In 1945 it was renamed Nguyen Hoang Bridge. Viet Minh forces blew up two spans in 1946, and in the 1968 Tet Offensive a pier and a span were destroyed. After temporary repairs, Thang Long Bridge Company No. 1 carried out a full restoration from 1991 to 1995, changing the colour from silver to grey.

A bridge of light

Decorative lighting was first installed in the early 2000s for Festival Hue and upgraded in 2018 at a cost of about 10 billion VND. A new programme of repair and repainting of the steel structure began on 1 June 2026.

What to See at Truong Tien Bridge

1. The six spans and twelve arches

Each of the six spans is shaped like a curved comb, giving the bridge its rhythmic Gothic silhouette. Vietnamese describe it as “six spans and twelve arches” (sau vai muoi hai nhip).

2. The night lights

After dark, LED lights pick out the arches in slowly changing colours, reflected in the river. This is the bridge’s most famous image.

Truong Tien Bridge and the Perfume River, Hue — The bridge is lit with changing colours at night. Photo: Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

3. The view upstream

From the middle of the bridge you can see the Perfume River curving towards the Citadel and, on clear days, the hills of the royal tombs beyond.

4. The south-bank riverside park

The park along Le Loi Street has sculptures, benches and a wooden walkway by the water; it is the best place for photographs of the whole bridge.

5. The boat pier

Dragon boats moor near the bridge on the south bank. Evening boat trips with Hue folk singing (ca Hue) depart from here; agree the price first.

6. Dong Ba Market at the north end

Cross north and you arrive at the front of Dong Ba Market, with evening food stalls from around 18:00.

Truong Tien Bridge: Access and Hours

Item	Details
Entrance	Free
Pedestrians	Pavements on both sides (one closed during the 2026 repairs)
Vehicles	Road traffic uses the central roadway; all vehicles banned 21:00–05:00 during the repairs
Lighting	Every evening after dark (may be affected by the works)
Repairs	From 1 June 2026, planned for about 150 days

Truong Tien Bridge is a public road bridge managed by the authorities; traffic arrangements can change during events and maintenance.

How to Get to Truong Tien Bridge

From	How	Time
Le Loi / Pham Ngu Lao hotels	Walk along the river	5–10 min
Hue Imperial City	Walk via Dong Ba Market, or cyclo / Grab	15–20 min on foot
Hue Railway Station	Taxi or Grab	About 5–10 min
Phu Bai Airport	Taxi or Grab	About 30 min

Our Hue transportation guide covers cyclos, taxis and bikes.

Best Time to Visit Truong Tien Bridge

When	What to expect
Sunrise	Calm water, joggers and fishing boats
Blue hour (just after sunset)	Lights on with colour still in the sky; the best photos
Evening	Locals strolling, boats with folk music on the river
February–April	Pleasant evenings for walking
Festival Hue	Special lighting and events, often with traffic changes
October–November	Flood season; the river can rise dramatically

Local Expert Tips for Truong Tien Bridge

These tips come from years of arranging Hue tours for international travellers.

Photograph the bridge from the south bank, a little upstream, for the full row of arches.
Cross on foot rather than by cyclo so you can stop for photos.
Combine an evening walk with street food at Dong Ba and a river boat trip.
Watch for motorbikes when stepping off the pavement at either end.
Look for Hue’s famous dishes in our Hue food guide before your evening walk.

Truong Tien Bridge vs Dragon Bridge

	Truong Tien Bridge	Dragon Bridge (Da Nang)
Built	1899–1900	Opened 2013
Style	Historic steel arches	Modern dragon-shaped bridge
Night show	Colour-changing lights	Lights plus fire and water show on weekend evenings
Atmosphere	Romantic and nostalgic	Lively and spectacular

Our view: Truong Tien is about history and atmosphere; the Dragon Bridge is about spectacle. See both if your trip includes Da Nang.

Nearby Attractions

Dong Ba Market: at the north end of the bridge.
Hue Imperial City: about 1.5 km away.
Thien Mu Pagoda: by dragon boat from the pier near the bridge.
Tu Duc Tomb: about 15 minutes south by car.
Thuy Xuan Incense Village: on the road to the tombs.

Sightseeing in Hue for First-Time Visitors: Where Truong Tien Bridge Fits

One day in Hue? See the Imperial City and royal tombs by day, then walk across Truong Tien Bridge after dinner. It is the natural end to a day in Hue.

Two days? Add an evening boat trip with folk music near the bridge. Read our Hue travel tips and where to stay in Hue; the riverside south bank is the most convenient base.

Plan your trip with our Hue travel guide and Hue tours. Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions about Truong Tien Bridge

1. Where is Truong Tien Bridge?

Truong Tien Bridge crosses the Perfume River in central Hue, linking Phu Xuan Ward (Dong Ba Market) with Thuan Hoa Ward (Le Loi Street).

2. Did Gustave Eiffel design Truong Tien Bridge?

No. Truong Tien Bridge was designed by Schneider et Cie et Letellier and opened in 1900; the Eiffel company only rebuilt and strengthened it in 1937–1939.

3. How long is Truong Tien Bridge?

Truong Tien Bridge is 402.6 m long and 6 m wide, with six steel spans of 67 m each.

4. When was Truong Tien Bridge built?

Construction of Truong Tien Bridge began in May 1899 and it was inaugurated on 18 December 1900.

5. Is Truong Tien Bridge lit up at night?

Yes. Truong Tien Bridge is lit with colour-changing lights every evening, though the 2026 repair works may affect the display.

6. Is Truong Tien Bridge under repair in 2026?

Yes. Repair and repainting of Truong Tien Bridge began on 1 June 2026 for about 150 days, with one pavement closed and vehicles banned from 21:00 to 05:00.

7. Can you walk across Truong Tien Bridge?

Yes. Truong Tien Bridge has pedestrian pavements, and walking across takes about 10 minutes.

8. Is there an entrance fee for Truong Tien Bridge?

No. Truong Tien Bridge is a free public bridge.

9. Why is it called Truong Tien Bridge?

Truong Tien Bridge is named after the Nguyen dynasty royal mint (truong tien) that once stood nearby.

10. What is the best time to see Truong Tien Bridge?

The best time to see Truong Tien Bridge is just after sunset, when the lights come on and the sky still has colour.

11. Where is the best place to photograph Truong Tien Bridge?

Photograph Truong Tien Bridge from the south-bank riverside park along Le Loi Street, slightly upstream.

12. Was Truong Tien Bridge damaged in the war?

Yes. Two spans of Truong Tien Bridge were blown up in 1946, and a pier and span were destroyed in 1968; it was fully restored in 1991–1995.

13. Can cars cross Truong Tien Bridge?

During the 2026 repairs, vehicles may use Truong Tien Bridge only between 05:00 and 21:00 under traffic guidance; check local signs for current rules.