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Thanh Toan Bridge Introduction
Thanh Toan bridge is one of the ancient architectural monuments containing rustic beauty, tinged with time, as well as unique artistic value in Vietnam nowadays.
Besides famous relics such as Hue Imperial City, Tu Duc Tomb, Thien Mu Pagoda, Thanh Toan Tile Bridge is also one of the ancient works recognized as national monuments in Hue.
With the unique beauty of architecture, charming landscape in the idyllic countryside, the bridge has become an attractive destination that you should not miss when visiting Hue.
Thanh Toan Bridge Hue Location
Thanh Toan covered bridge is one of the famous Hue tourist attractions, located in Thuy Thanh commune, Huong Thuy District, Thua Thien Hue province. It is about 8km from Hue city center.
The bridge is crossed by a canal running from the beginning to the end of Thanh Toan village. The village was established at the end of the 16th century, most of the village’s patriarchs are Thanh Hoa people who followed Nguyen Hoang Lord here. Later, Mrs. Tran Thi Dao – a niece of the Tran family (about the 6th generation) donated money to the village to build this bridge. In 1990, the bridge was recognized as a national monument.
How to get there?
To come to the Thanh Toan village or many other attractive destinations, you can “pocket” Hue’s tourist map. In fact, the ancient bridge is located in the suburb, about 6km southeast of the city center.
Starting from the center, you can follow the To Huu road, turn left at the intersection with Hoang Quoc Viet street. After that, you just need to go straight to the Thanh Toan market to get there.
Thanh Toan Bridge History
As a folk work of high artistic value, the Thanh Toan Bridge Hue Vietnam was built in 1776 by Mrs. Tran Thi Dao – the wife of a high-ranking mandarin during the reign of Le Hien Tong King. She donated money to the village to build a wooden bridge span the canal so that the villagers could pass by as well as the place where they can take a break.
In 1776, she was awarded a decree of praise for her virtue by Le Hien Tong King, and at the same time exempted the village from many kinds of taxes so that they could remember her merits and follow her good example.
In 1925, Khai Dinh Emperor also granted her the title “Duc Bao Trung Hung Linh” and ordered the people to build an altar right on the middle of the bridge to worship her.
Thanh Toan bridge Hue Vietnam Feature
Thanh Toan tile-roofed bridge Hue Vietnam was built in the “upper house, under the bridge” architectural style. It is divided into compartments, each space like a small house in a big house. The bridge frame is made of wood, the roof is covered with glazed pipe tile roof. Unlike the tile bridges in the North using fish scale tiles, Thanh Toan Bridge uses the green royal tiles.
The space in the middle of the bridge is also the largest space to worship Mrs. Tran Thi Dao, the remaining 6 compartments have a symmetrical structure.
They all have two rows of wooden platforms and railings, divided into “walking lanes” in the middle and “resting lanes” on both sides, creating grace and harmony for the Thanh Toan bridge Hue.
Thanh Toan Bridge Hue Vietnam has original dimensions of 18.75m long and 5.82m wide. Through many restorations, the current dimension of the bridge is 16.85m long and 4.63m wide.
Although there are many similarities in architecture, if the Japanese covered bridge (Hoi An) uses the mascots of the Dog and Monkey to decorate, the Thanh Toan Bridge Vietnam uses dragons and phoenixes to decorate the roofs. The gable is decorated with Phap Lam, the pattern is also the same theme “carps turning dragon”.
In the part of the “lower bridge” structure (abutment, bridge piers), Thanh Toan tile-roofed bridge has 6 ironwood piers, a circular cross-section with multi-span beams; stone abutment.
After nearly 250 years of existence, at the beginning of April 2020, the bridge was demolished by the local government to preserve and restore.
The project of preserving, restoring, and embellishing the Thanh Toan Bridge relic was approved by the People’s Committee of Thua Thien Hue province with a total investment of more than 13 billion VND. The restoration and embellishment of the bridge are based on the principle of making the most of originals materials.
What to do at Thanh Toan Village?
If you have time to travel to Hue during the Festival season, don’t forget the way back to Thanh Toan bridge Vietnam. Because on this occasion, the people of Thanh Thuy commune will hold a spiritual procession for Mrs. Tran Thi Dao who built the bridge.
Within the framework of this festival, there will be an opening ceremony along with many attractive cultural activities for visitors to enjoy and experience.
Right next to the bridge is the Thanh Toan Agriculture museum, a great place to learn about the local daily life of farmers. You can listen to the history of the farm tools, visit the artifacts reflecting the daily life of the countryside such as water bikes, buckets, sieves, jars, rice mills, etc and experience or see very interesting rural activities such as water pedaling, rice milling, conical hat making.
If you follow tours or community tours, visitors can also experience rowing and fishing on the Nhu Y river; planting and harvesting clean vegetables…
Plus, visiting Thanh Toan village, you also can visit the Thanh Toan early morning market to learn more about their culture, customs, rural daily life; learn how to bargain, how to choose fresh products, as well as interact with the locals.
Attractions nearby Thanh Toan Bridge
Perfume River- Truong Tien Bridge
Truong Tien Bridge is one of the symbols of Hue, located in the heart of the city center. Up to now, the bridge has been formed for more than a century, witnessing many ups and downs of history.
Visitors coming here can admire the bridge architecture, at the same time admire, take photos of the romantic Perfume River.
An Dinh Palace Hue
If you are looking for a monument with unique European architecture nearby Thanh Toan Bridge, then come to An Dinh Palace. This is also a significant palace in terms of culture, history, and architecture.
Hue Imperial Citadel
The complex of Hue Imperial Citadel is a must-visit attraction in Hue city. It is a large complex of Hue Citadel, Royal City & Forbidden city- the former working and residence of the 13th Emperors, concubines, eunuchs.
Some highlights in the complex that you should explore are the Nine Holy Cannons; The Ngo Mon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, Hue Royal Family Temple, Duyet Thi Duong Theater.
