Hien Luong Bridge: Historical Witnesser of the Vietnam War

Where is Location of Hien Luong Bridge?

Hien Luong Bridge crosses Ben Hai River, in Hien Luong village, Hien Thanh commune, Vinh Linh district, Quang Tri province, Vietnam. Also here, there were fierce ” Loud Speaker War”, “Color War”, and “Flag War” during the Vietnam War. At that time, Hien Luong Bridge was to connect 2 banks of the Ben Hai River where it was the border area that divided Vietnam into two regions along the 17th parallel: the North was administered by the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, and the South was controlled by the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. managed by the State of Vietnam and then the Republic of Vietnam and then the Republic of South Vietnam, for nearly 22 years, from 1954 to 1976.

• Location: Dong Ha City, Vinh Linh District, Quang Tri Provice, Vietnam
• Entrance Fee: Free of Charge or 50k to walk on the bridge & Museum
• Opening Time: 24 Hours
• Dress Code: Comfortable Cloths

As normal as many other lands throughout the country, but when the two regions were divided during the war (1954 – 1975), the Ben Hai river and the land on both banks became famous. The banks of Hien Luong have become “historical witnesses” for more than 20 years carrying the pain of dividing the country. The cluster of relics includes at the two banks of Hien Luong: Hien Luong Bridge, Ben Hai River, the flagpole on the North bank, the Union house, the police station at the border line, loudspeakers, the monument cluster “Aspirations for unity” on the bank. South, 17 Parallel Museum House

History of Hien Luong Bridge:

Vinh Linh government built the first Hien Luong Bridge here in 1928. This bridge was made of wood, iron piles, 2m wide. The tonnage is only enough for pedestrians. In 1931, this bridge was repaired by the Indochinese Federation. And in 1943 the bridge was upgraded again, at this time small motor vehicles could pass.

In 1950, due to military needs, French rebuilt the bridge with reinforced concrete, 162m long, 3.6m wide, with a tonnage of 10 tons. This bridge existed for two years, until Viet Minh guerrillas destroyed it to prevent the French advance. In May 1952, French rebuilt a new bridge with 7 spans, 178m long. This bridge existed for 15 years, until US bombs destroyed it in 1967.

From 1972 to 1974, to serve the southern battlefield, the South Vietnamese Liberation Army built a temporary pontoon bridge 20 meters west of the old bridge. And in 1974, the government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam rebuilt with reinforced concrete 186m long, 9m wide, with a pedestrian corridor 1.2m wide.

In 1996, the Ministry of Transport built a new bridge 230m long, 11.5m wide. And in 2001, Vietnamese Fovernment restored the iron bridge into its original design

In 1954, French agreed to return Vietnam’s independence under the Geneva Agreement. Ben Hai River at the 17th parallel became the border dividing Vietnam into two military gathering areas. The Army of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam withdrew to the North. The army of the French Union withdrew to the South.

But in 1956, Ngo Dinh Diem, president of the Republic of Vietnam, refused to participate in the general election. So, the Ben Hai River continued to divide the country and separate many families in the two regions of Vietnam. Today, on the south bank of the Ben Hai River. There is a monument with the name: “Aspiration to unify the river”.

How to Get to Hien Luong Bridge?

Hien Luong Bridge is located in the North of Dong Ha Town. On National Road No 1 on the way South to/from North. Distance Hien Luong Bridge is about 90km to/from Hue. And 190km from Danang, 75km to/from Dong Hoi, 120km from Phong Nha National Park. So the best affordable and comfortable way to get to Ben Hai River is by Private Car or Grab Taxi.

If you traveling from Hue City. You can book Hue DMZ Private Tour Half Day or Rent a Private Car to drive you to Vinh Moc. Then it depends on your plan to go back to Hue, stay in Dong Ha City. Or take overnight train and open bus to Hanoi on the same day. You can also visit Hien Luong Bridge on the way Hue to/from Phong Nha by Private Car.

See More Useful Articles for Vietnam DMZ Travel:

• Vinh Moc Tunnels Information: Travel Guide to DMZ Vietnam
• Khe Sanh Combat Base and Battle: Things You Need to Know
• Quang Tri Ancient Citadel & Battle: Things You Need to Know
• Ben Hai River in Parallel 17th – Everything You Need to Know