Nguyen Van Troi Bridge: From War Path to Peaceful Footpath — A Quiet Witness of Da Nang’s Tumultuous Past

Nguyen Van Troi Bridge — originally named Nguyen Hoang Bridge before 1975 — was built in 1965 by the American contractor RMK. Spanning 513.8 meters across the Han River with 14 steel pony truss spans, the bridge measures 10.5 meters wide, including an 8.5-meter roadbed. This was the first road bridge across the Han River, constructed by the U.S. to transport military equipment from Tien Sa Port into downtown Da Nang during the war.

Today, Nguyen Van Troi Bridge serves as a pedestrian walkway. However, it rarely sees more than a few people taking evening strolls or doing light exercises — and occasionally, a group of friends gathering to snap a few photos. Once a vital artery and silent witness to Da Nang’s history, it now quietly stands in the shadow of the city’s rapid transformation.

Many people often confuse Nguyen Van Troi Bridge with the old De Lattre Bridge. In fact, the De Lattre Bridge — named after French General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny — was built by the French between 1951 and 1952. It was later renamed Trinh Minh The Bridge, and after 1975, became known as Tran Thi Ly Bridge. The current version of Tran Thi Ly Bridge was completely rebuilt and reopened in 2013.

Though its steel frame no longer bears the weight of convoys, Nguyen Van Troi Bridge still quietly carries the memories of Da Nang’s complex and storied past. From war path to peaceful footpath, it remains a silent witness to the city’s journey through time.

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Mr. Old Man, July 2023