In addition to the closure, the Department of Construction has directed motorbikes and rudimentary vehicles traveling from Bo De ward to Hoan Kiem ward to use Long Bien - Xuan Quan road and then proceed onto Chuong Duong Bridge.

For vehicles traveling from Hoan Kiem ward to Bo De ward, those originating from Yen Phu and Hang Dau should access Tran Nhat Duat road, proceed to the roundabout at the entrance of Chuong Duong Bridge, and then cross the bridge.

From Tran Quang Khai and Dike 401, vehicles should also proceed to the roundabout at the beginning of Chuong Duong Bridge before crossing. Bicycles are permitted to use the mixed-use lane on Chuong Duong Bridge in both directions.

The Long Bien Bridge management authority posted a notice on 25/3 prohibiting road vehicles from crossing the bridge. *Photo: Hoang Phong*.

Long Bien Bridge, constructed in 1899 and completed in 1902, is a 1,691.15-meter-long steel truss bridge featuring 19 spans, each ranging from 51.2 to 130 meters. After 120 years of service and surviving two wars, the bridge has significantly deteriorated. Today, only 9 spans on the Hanoi side and 3.5 spans on the Gia Lam side retain their original design; other sections were damaged during conflicts and replaced with different girder styles.

Between 1995 and 2010, Long Bien Bridge underwent reinforcement and repairs, costing a total of 116 billion VND. In 2015, a comprehensive overhaul was carried out with an investment of nearly 300 billion VND. This was intended to ensure the bridge's safe operation until 2020, when the Yen Vien - Ngoc Hoi urban railway line one project was slated to begin and ultimately replace Long Bien Bridge.

Long Bien Bridge was closed to road vehicles for repairs in late 2025. *Photo: Pham Chieu*.

However, the Yen Vien - Ngoc Hoi railway line has not yet been implemented. Consequently, Long Bien Bridge continues to carry dozens of passenger and freight trains daily, in addition to thousands of motorbikes, bicycles, and rudimentary vehicles. Cars are already prohibited from using the bridge.

Most recently, on 2/2, the management company identified severe damage at the steel truss joint connecting section 10 and section 11 of span 18, posing a risk to the structure's integrity. The bridge was then closed, leading to passenger trains on the Hanoi - Hai Phong route diverting to Gia Lam station for pick-ups and drop-offs, rather than Hanoi station. By the afternoon of 9/2, the bridge had reopened.

To ensure the bridge's safety, Hanoi authorities and the railway sector are undertaking an urgent repair project focusing on the pedestrian walkways, motorbike lanes, and rudimentary vehicle lanes on both sides of Long Bien Bridge.

Vo Hai