Da Nang, a dynamic and charming coastal city, is not only famous for its long, smooth sandy beaches and unique cuisine but is also known as a “city of bridges”. Among them, the Dragon Bridge majestically stretches across the Han River, not just a vital traffic route but also a unique architectural symbol, the pride of Da Nang people, and a must-visit destination for tourists from all over. But what makes the Dragon Bridge so special, and what is its history? Let’s explore the interesting facts about this uniquely shaped bridge with “Travel Around The World”.
Journey to Create an Icon: History of Da Nang Dragon Bridge
Few people know that to have the magnificent Dragon Bridge of today, Da Nang city went through a long process of searching and selecting a unique design idea. With the desire to create a new architectural landmark of international stature, Da Nang organized a broad bridge design competition, attracting the participation of many talented architects from home and abroad. Among the submitted proposals, the bold idea of a steel dragon reaching out to the East Sea completely captivated the judging panel. This design, from two American architects, not only met the requirements of a modern transportation project but also carried profound artistic value, expressing Da Nang’s aspiration to rise strongly. On March 29, 2013, on the occasion of the 38th anniversary of the city’s liberation, the Dragon Bridge was officially inaugurated and put into use. With an impressive length of 666 meters, a width of 37.5 meters, 6 lanes, and a total investment of nearly 1.5 trillion VND, the Dragon Bridge quickly became one of the largest and most modern bridges in Vietnam. 
Dragon Bridge Da Nang on its inauguration day, a new symbol of the city by the Han River Source: danangfantasticity.com The birth of the Dragon Bridge not only solved the traffic problem, connecting Da Nang International Airport with the city center and surrounding areas quickly, but also marked a strong transformation of Da Nang in the field of architecture and urban planning. The Dragon Bridge has become a symbol of development, innovation, and international integration of this beautiful coastal city.
Unique Architecture & Symbolic Meaning of Dragon Bridge
It is no exaggeration to say that the Dragon Bridge is a contemporary work of art on the Han River. The most distinctive feature of the bridge is the shape of a Ly Dynasty dragon, winding softly and powerfully reaching out to the vast ocean. This image not only evokes the cultural roots and national history but also expresses Da Nang’s desire to reach far and integrate with the world. The dragon’s tail is stylized into a blooming lotus flower, a traditional cultural symbol of Vietnam, representing nobility, purity, and peace. The harmonious combination of the powerful dragon image and the graceful lotus creates an architectural whole that is both majestic and approachable, imbued with Vietnamese identity. To ensure durability and aesthetic appeal, the Dragon Bridge is made of high-quality steel and coated with 5 layers of anti-corrosion paint. The metallic gold paint not only protects the bridge from the harsh effects of the sea weather but also creates a brilliant, prominent appearance in the heart of the city. At night, the Dragon Bridge puts on a new, magnificent, and magical coat. The lighting system consists of 15,000 LED lights arranged along the dragon’s body, creating shimmering light effects, turning the bridge into a truly living, colorful dragon.
Discover Unique Events & Experiences at Dragon Bridge
Dragon Bridge is not only a beautiful architectural work but also an attractive tourist destination with many interesting activities and events, especially at night.
Be Amazed by the Fire and Water Breathing Performance
One of the must-do experiences when visiting Dragon Bridge is to witness the unique fire and water breathing performance. Every Saturday and Sunday evening, at 9:00 PM, the dragon’s head will spew out fiery flames into the sky, followed by powerful bursts of water, creating an extremely impressive and spectacular scene. 
Dragon Bridge spraying water on weekends, attracting tourists and locals Source: danangfantasticity.com The fire breathing performance lasts for about 2 minutes with 2 bursts, 9 times each burst. This is followed by a quick water breathing performance with 3 bursts, only 1 time each burst. The combination of light, fire, and water creates a special effect, attracting thousands of tourists and locals to admire every weekend. Suggested ideal locations to watch the fire and water breathing: – On Dragon Bridge: During the fire and water breathing times, vehicles are prohibited from crossing the bridge, so you can freely stand on the bridge to watch. However, keep a safe distance from the dragon’s head if you don’t want to get wet when the dragon breathes water. – Tran Hung Dao Street (at the foot of the bridge): Tran Hung Dao Street runs along the Han River bank, right at the foot of Dragon Bridge, which is a great location to see the entire performance. You can also enjoy drinks at roadside cafes while admiring the Dragon Bridge. – Bach Dang Street (opposite the bridge): Bach Dang Street is located on the opposite bank of the Han River from Dragon Bridge, offering a wide and airy view. Cafes and restaurants along Bach Dang Street, especially those with balconies or high floors, are ideal choices to both enjoy the Han River scenery and watch the fire and water breathing. – From above: Hotels and high-rise buildings around the Dragon Bridge area are also ideal observation points, allowing you to admire the performance from a high angle and overview the entire city at night. – Nearby bridges: Han River Bridge, Tran Thi Ly Bridge, Nguyen Van Troi Bridge… are also good choices to watch the fire and water breathing from afar, while admiring the Dragon Bridge in the overall space of Da Nang’s rivers and waters.
Immerse Yourself in the Atmosphere of Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF)
Da Nang is not only a destination of natural beauty but also a “festival city” with many unique cultural and entertainment events, the most prominent of which is the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF). Every year, DIFF attracts top fireworks teams from around the world to compete, performing artistic fireworks displays in the sky above the Han River. Dragon Bridge, with its central location and open space, becomes one of the best places to enjoy fireworks for free. On fireworks nights, tens of thousands of people and tourists flock to the Dragon Bridge area to admire the spectacular light shows. To get a good spot and fully experience the sound and light of the festival, you should arrive early and find a favorable seat for yourself.
Directions to Dragon Bridge
Dragon Bridge is located in the city center of Da Nang, at the intersection of 2 Thang 9 Street and Bach Dang Street, very easy to get to from many different areas. From Hoi An: – Bus: Hoi An – Da Nang bus route has a frequency of about 20 minutes per trip, ticket price is about 20,000 VND/person. You can take the bus at Hoi An bus station and get off at the stops near Dragon Bridge. – Motorbike: Follow the coastal road or National Highway 1A towards Da Nang, then move to the city center following the directions to Dragon Bridge. – Taxi/Ride-hailing: This is a fast and convenient means of transportation, suitable for large groups or families.
From other areas in Da Nang: – Motorbike/Private car: Move along main roads such as 2 Thang 9 Street, Bach Dang Street, Tran Phu Street, Le Duan Street… and follow the directions to Dragon Bridge. – Bus: The public bus network in Da Nang is quite developed, you can search for bus routes with stops near Dragon Bridge. – Taxi/Ride-hailing: Popular and easy to book transportation anywhere in the city.
Conclusion
Da Nang Dragon Bridge is not only a modern transportation project but also a unique architectural symbol, an attractive tourist destination, and the pride of Da Nang people. With its majestic beauty, impressive architecture, interesting events, and experiences, Dragon Bridge deserves to be one of the must-visit destinations when you set foot in this beautiful coastal city. Come to Da Nang and discover the beauty of Dragon Bridge for yourself, you will surely have unforgettable memories! To make your trip to Da Nang even more complete, don’t forget to explore the attractive offers at Pullman Danang Beach Resort to enjoy luxury resort and culinary experiences!