Hanoi's Iconic Long Bien Bridge Reopens on 28 May
Long Bien Bridge, one of Hanoi’s most photographed landmarks, officially reopened to traffic on 28 May 2026. The reopening restores full access to one of the city’s most distinctive heritage structures, which had been closed while repair works were carried out on sections of the central span and the supporting framework at the western approach.
Built between 1899 and 1902 under French colonial administration, Long Bien Bridge spans the Red River using a series of steel cantilever trusses stretching nearly 1,700 metres. It was designed by the Daydé & Pillé company - the same firm responsible for several notable bridges in France during the same period - and is widely compared in profile to the Eiffel Tower, reflecting the same architectural era and approach to ornamental ironwork. The bridge survived heavy American bombing during the Vietnam War: key sections were struck repeatedly between 1967 and 1972, and the structure visible today is partly rebuilt from those wartime repairs. The patchwork of different-era sections, visible in the varying rivet patterns and truss profiles along the bridge deck, is part of its historical character.
For visitors, the bridge functions as both a functional crossing and a slow-travel experience. Walking or cycling across takes around 20–30 minutes and offers elevated views of the Red River floodplain, the railway line that shares the structure, and Hanoi’s older districts on either bank. Early morning is the most rewarding time to visit: local vendors set up along the bridge deck selling breakfast items and fruit, the light across the water is excellent for photography, and the cycling commuters who use the bridge at this hour give the crossing an authentic texture that the Old Quarter tourist streets do not.
Getting there
Long Bien Bridge is accessible on foot from the Old Quarter in around 10–15 minutes. The eastern end of the bridge connects to Long Bien market, a busy wholesale fruit and vegetable market that operates through the early hours and is worth exploring before the produce sellers pack up around 8am. Cyclists can rent bikes in the Old Quarter and pedal across; motorbikes are also permitted on the bridge deck’s side lanes. There is no entry fee. The most commonly used western access point is from Hang Dau Street, where the bridge meets the Hoan Kiem District.
Planning your Hanoi visit
The Long Bien Bridge is a natural anchor for a morning exploring the area north and east of Hanoi’s Old Quarter - combine it with the Long Bien market, the Dong Xuan covered market, and the narrow streets of the historic 36 guild streets district. Our one-week North Vietnam itinerary builds in time for Hanoi before heading to Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh.
For a wider look at moving between Hanoi’s districts and beyond, our getting around Vietnam guide covers train, bus, motorbike taxi, and domestic flight options across the country. To book guided tours in Hanoi - including Old Quarter walking tours, street food routes, and day trips to the surrounding countryside - browse the full selection. Hanoi’s temperatures in June average 28–33°C with high humidity and occasional afternoon rain - the kind of weather that makes an early-morning bridge walk before the heat builds a particularly good option.
What to know before you go
There is no entry fee to cross Long Bien Bridge, and no formal opening hours - the bridge operates around the clock as a working rail and road crossing. Visitors sometimes ask whether it is safe to walk on: the pedestrian lanes are separated from the vehicle lanes and the railway track, and the bridge has been maintained and repaired continuously since its wartime damage. Repairs completed in 2026 specifically addressed the western approach trusses and several expansion joints mid-span, and the bridge is considered structurally sound for the foreseeable future. Photography from the bridge is unrestricted.