Thanh Toan Bridge is located 8 km from the center of Hue. It was built in 1776 by Mrs. Tran Thi Dao addressed the danger of crossing a large canal in Thanh Toan village using boats, especially during the rainy season.

Thanh Toan Bridge is now part of Vietnam's national heritage. It is considered a source of pride for the people of Hue.

We have compiled this article to inform you about the offbeat places in Vietnam, and Thanh Toan Bridge is one of them. In the article, you will find the best time to visit, things to do, how to get there, and some bonus tips.

Story Behind Thanh Toan Bridge (Tale Of Selflessness)

In the 16th century twelve patriarchs, among the immigrants, founded Thanh Toan Village in the area.

From these patriarchs, descendants of the sixth generation of the Tran family turn out to be the Goddess of the future. She is blessed with a soft heart that beats for villagers. Her biggest dream was to be a mother.

However, nature's plan was entirely different. Instead of being broken, she spent all her savings on villagers; she cared for them like a mother. One morning, she realized what would happen if a bridge were made over the canal. The life of villages will be so easy after that.

Mrs. Tran Thi Dao started the construction in the 18th century. The bridge was not just for practical travel but was intended to be a richly decorated covered bridge.

She invested her savings wholeheartedly to make the bridge an ideal path for villagers. During the reign of King Khai Dinh in 1920, an altar was installed on the bridge.

The altar is a permanent monument in honor of Tran Thi Dao, acknowledging her significant contributions to the community and the bridge's construction.

How To Reach Thanh Toan Bridge?

Thanh Toan Bridge is only 8 km away from Hue Street. Reaching the bridge takes only 15 minutes on a motorbike and 30 minutes by cycle. You can also hire a car, which will take only 12 minutes.

What's The Best Time To Visit Thanh Toan Bridge?

The best time to visit Thanh Toan bridge is mid-Autumn when two big festivals will occur. It's the best time to experience rural life without any filter.

How unique is Thanh Toan Bridge- Architectural Features:

The uniqueness of Thanh Toan Bridge lies in its architecture. Let's take a closer look at its features:

Pillar System:

Unlike other bridges in Hue, Thanh Toan Bridge stands out with its unique architectural design. Supported by a pillar system with three rows, each row contains six stone pillars.

The joints are connected with wood tenons to combat depression, and supporting pillars bridge the gap between the two bridgeheads.

Wooden Element:

All architectural elements are crafted from wood, showcasing two motif types of circular and square cross-sections to enhance the bridge's aesthetic appeal. Artisans carved symbols of the four sacred animals—Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle, and Phoenix—on the bridge's roof.

Things To Do Near Thanh Toan Bridge:

Thanh Toan Bridge is exciting, whether it's about traveling, your appetite, your photography session, or anything else. Your experience here is well worth the investment. Go through the list below to know what activities you can enjoy at Thanh Toan Bridge.

Sightseeing:

Thanh Toan Bridge is an ideal place to get lost in the beauty of the surrounding village. The whole town can be easily seen by sitting on the wooden planks. Thanh Toan Village exudes a peaceful countryside atmosphere where traditional values are preserved.

On one side of the bridge, a vast green paddy field has sustained generations of the village. On the other side, water lily flowers bloom, creating a captivating scene in Autumn and winter. Adjacent to the village is the giant banyan tree along the temple.

These features evoke familiarity and nostalgia in the mind of someone who has lived in the countryside. This village connects rural life with the historical charm of Hue Citadel.

Live A Community Life:

Locals need awareness of advanced marketing tactics. They are self-employed, mostly selling fish, handicrafts, and Hue's famous clothing. The market has diversified as time progresses, but it still gives vibes to a rural setting. You can also become a salesperson for one day if it fascinates you and you want to experience how small communities live.

Visiting A Traditional Market:

This market is a rural superstore from where locals buy daily use goods such as meat, fruits, vegetables, and farming equipment. Over time, the market has expanded gradually. Plus, trading from nearby villages has also started in Thanh Toan Village.

You might wonder why visiting a traditional market is worthwhile. Locals offer traditional and non-traditional food, especially for tourists, which has a lasting impression. You will mostly get white meat here.

Experiencing Festivities:

Spring and Autumn are the best seasons to visit Thanh Toan Bridge. Many festivals are held during this time yearly. These festivals remind the young generation about their ancestors who founded the village decades ago and preserve their culture for the younger generation.

Now, let's delve into the excitement. After a few rituals, the canal in Thanh Toan Bridge serves as the venue for traditional games, including sailboat racing, water puppet dancing, and fish-catching.

On the other hand, the nearby temple yard hosts folk games like tug-of-war, human chess, and blind man's buff. Visitors can engage in farming life, including learning to wrap Tet sticky rice cakes (Banh Chung & Banh Tet) or making a conical hat.

Bonus Tips Before Going To Thanh Toan Bridge:

• Consider traveling by bicycle to Thanh Toan, as you can be mesmerized by farms, rice fields, and traditional homes and can easily take pictures whenever you want.
• Thanh Toan Bridge is known locally as 'Cau Nigoi.' Do remember this name with correct pronunciation, as if you need to ask directions from locals, you need this name. This place is more lively and peaceful than many famous places in Hue.

Final Verdict!

Thanh Toan Bridge stands not only as a testament to architectural brilliance but as a symbol of selflessness. Plan your journey and become part of this historical and cultural legacy.