Thanh Toan Bridge

Thanh Toan Bridge is about 8 km away from Hue, located at Thuy Thanh commune, Huong Thuy district, Thua Thien Hue province. This bridge was built by Mrs. Tran Thi Dao in 1776, who is a member of 6^th generation of Tran’s family (one of the families explored Thanh Toan village). Mrs. Tran Thi Dao was the wife of a great mandarin under King Le Hien Tong but had no children. She wanted to use her money to pray for the village so it is the reason why Thanh Toan Bridge was built. Thanh Toan Bridge was also a place for traveler to relax after a long journey.

Thanh Toan Bridge

Thanh Toan Bridge was made of wood and the structure is “a bridge under a house” that made Thanh Toan Bridge different from others ancient bridges. It is 17 m in length and 4 m in width, there are 2 rows of wooden platforms and railings on both sides of the bridge for people to lean on. The roof made from tiles and divided into 7 compartments like 7 small rooms in a house. Inside the Bridge, tourist can see ancestral altar and traditional furniture.

The ancestral altar and traditional furniture inside the bridge

In Hue Festival, Thuy Thanh people usually hold the ceremony to remember the contribution of Mrs. Tran Thi Dao in Thanh Toan Bridge. This event is known as the opening activity of Hue Festival, one of the cultural and tourism programs in Hue Festival. During Rural Market Day Festival, many traditional cuisine and specialties such as Thuy Phu sticky rice, Duong Hoa peanut, mung bean sweet soup and tofu, ect will be sold. Tourist will have chance to take part in some games like painting completion under a random theme, boat racing, etc.

Coming to Thanh Toan Bridge, tourist can be enjoy the peaceful life and get more knowledge about the traditional culture of Vietnam. It will take you about 15 minutes to go by motorbike or 30 minutes to go by bike or cyclo from Hue. You can also buy a full day bike tour around Hue that have cycling to Thanh Toan Bridge on schedule.