Da Nang is one of the most striking cities in all of Vietnam. For many in America, it was the scene of many conflicts during the Vietnam War. Today, the city has become a popular tourist destination thanks to its stunning location and remarkable sights. Recently, news reports of the fabled Da Nang Golden Bridge have captured the imagination of the public and have driven even more tourists to visit the area.
The City of Da Nang
While Vietnam has been developing its status as a popular tourist attraction over the past few decades, the city of Da Nang has been overlooked in many respects until recently. This is because many travelers will either visit Ho Chi Minh City and Ha Long Bay while only traveling by train or bus through Da Nang to reach other parts of the country.
Da Nang itself is a thriving city that is set amid a mountain range that provides many natural attractions. The third-largest city in the country, Da Nang began as a small trading port and by the 16th century started to grow in size thanks to its good location. By the 19th century, Da Nang had industrialized and was building ships.
Da Nang’s status drew in the French by the end of the 19th century and for the next 100 years, the country suffered from the ravages of war. Only in the past three decades has Vietnam managed to turn its fortunes around. The new Golden Bridge is the latest symbol of the success that the country is enjoying.
The Da Nang Golden Bridge
Opened in June 2018, the Da Nang Golden Bridge has gone viral on social media sites thanks to its remarkable golden color and the two giant concrete hands that hold the bridge secure. The bridge itself is nearly 500 feet long and is located high up along a mountain range. Designed by TA Landscape and backed by the Sun Group, this bridge became an immediate hit once it opened.
The area was first developed by colonists from France back in 1919. Before the completion of the bridge, the area was best known for its unusual range of tourist attractions ranging from a replica French village from medieval times to have a cable car, a beautifully manicured garden, and a wax museum featuring statues of celebrities such as Michael Jordan and Lady Gaga. The cable car offers an incredible view of the countryside which includes the remains of the French colony.
However, it is the newly constructed bridge which is drawing all the attention. Called “Cau Vang” which means “Golden Bridge” in Vietnamese, the bridge bows out from the mountainside to offer a stunning view of the valley below. This pedestrian bridge connects the cable car station with the Ba Na Hills Resort so that visitors do not have to climb the steep side of the mountain. The scenic overlook is the prize for walking along the bridge and the two large concrete hands make it a powerful sight to see.
For those who want to see one of the most stunning sights in all of southeast Asia, the Da Nang Golden Bridge is certainly one of the most compelling.
