Nguyen Hoang Bridge over the Perfume River, Hue, Vietnam

Winging it over the river. Nguyen Hoang Bridge, Hue, Vietnam

Bridging the gap between old and new, Nguyen Hoang Bridge gives Hue's skyline a fresh connection. Spanning the Perfume River in Vietnam, the modern steel-arch landmark opened to traffic on March 26, 2025. Its design, called 'The Crane Facing Thien Mu,' draws inspiration from a local legend and nearby Thien Mu Pagoda.

Designed by Finnish bridge architect Antti Karjalainen, the bridge features steel arches shaped like a crane's outstretched wings. Its V-shaped piers suggest cranes gathering peacefully beside the river. The royal-yellow color pays tribute to Hue's imperial heritage under the Nguyen dynasty.

The details continue along the pedestrian walkways, where 64 parasol-shaped steel ornaments echo the aesthetics of the royal court. After dark, color-changing LEDs illuminate the arches, creating the appearance of a crane in flight. There is a historical twist, too: Hue's famous Truong Tien Bridge briefly carried the Nguyen Hoang name in 1945. With its mix of heritage and modern engineering, this bridge gives Hue a new way to move forward.