(VOVworld) - Long Bien bridge is often referred to as Hanoi’s “bridge of the poor”. It swarms with ragged laborers from early morning till midnight.
The 2,290-m bridge was built between 1899 and 1902 by the French, and opened to traffic in 1903. Over the past 100 years, the steel structure has had a close association with Hanoi’s trials and tribulations and has witnessed many historic events.
Spanning three centuries and suffering war wounds, the bridge has still stood the test of time, linking the two banks of the Red River.
Long Bien bridge’s destiny is closely linked with Hanoi. It is a symbol and part of the capital city.

Long Bien Bridge spans the Red River. Dawn breaks at one end in Gia Lam district

It is closely associated with the image of hard-working people traveling across it to earn a living

This is why Long Bien is called “the bridge of the poor”

Along the bridge, a rail line is separated from roads on both sides

Local people are engaged in farming under the bridge

A fishing village in the dry season

Small makeshift markets open up on both roadsides of the bridge

A new day begins for hard-working farmers

A warden begins his daily routine of ensuring safety for trains

Over the past century, the bridge has experienced many ups and downs

It looks very romantic in the crescent moonlight

The attached plaque records the date that the bridge was built