Long Bien Bridge

Phunghung · CC BY 3.0

A steel bridge the French raised early last century, still carrying trains and motorbikes over the Red River.

Long Bien was completed in 1902, then among the longest steel bridges in Asia, and for decades it was the only crossing of the Red River at Hanoi. That made it a target: it was bombed heavily during the war, spans collapsed and were patched back with girders of a different pattern, so even today you can read along its length which parts are original and which are healed wounds. It now carries only trains, motorbikes, bicycles and pedestrians; cars use other bridges. Walking out to the middle late in the day, looking down on the green market gardens of the river's mid-stream island, is about as Hanoi as anything left.

Visitor information

When is the best time to visit Long Bien Bridge?

Late afternoon, year-round

How long do you need at Long Bien Bridge?

1 hour

What are the opening hours of Long Bien Bridge?

All day

Did you know

The bridge was completed in 1902 and was among the longest steel bridges in Asia at the time.
For decades it was the only crossing of the Red River in Hanoi.
It was bombed repeatedly during the war; the repaired spans differ visibly from the originals.
Today it carries only trains, motorbikes, bicycles and pedestrians.

Travel tips

Walk out to the middle late in the day for the mid-river island and the sunset.
The footway is narrow and close to the track — stand against the railing when a train passes.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Bi%C3%AAn_Bridge

Updated: 2026-08-16