The Mekong Delta has long been a captivating destination for travelers, renowned for its lush beauty, rustic charm, and rich cultural identity. In exploring this region, one majestic structure stands tall, gracefully crossing the poetic Tien River – the My Thuan Bridge. More than just a crucial transportation artery, My Thuan Bridge is a unique tourist symbol, offering visitors a chance to admire the magnificent Mekong Delta from an entirely fresh perspective.
History and Significance of My Thuan Bridge
My Thuan Bridge is more than just a bridge; it’s a testament to the cooperative friendship between Vietnam and Australia. Construction began in 1997 and was completed in 2000. My Thuan Bridge was Vietnam’s first cable-stayed bridge, marking a significant milestone in the country’s bridge-building industry. This project was funded by Australian ODA and Vietnamese counterpart funds, demonstrating the close ties and mutual support between the two nations.
The birth of My Thuan Bridge solved a critical transportation bottleneck, eliminating the My Thuan ferry, which had long hindered travel and cargo transport between Tien Giang and Vinh Long, as well as other provinces in the Mekong Delta region. My Thuan Bridge not only shortened travel times and boosted trade but also opened up opportunities for economic, social, and tourism development across the Mekong Delta.
Architecturally, My Thuan Bridge is a project of significant technical and aesthetic value. With its modern cable-stayed design, the bridge is not only structurally sound but also offers a graceful beauty that harmonizes with the surrounding river landscape. My Thuan Bridge is not only a source of pride for the people of the Mekong Delta but also a symbol of Vietnam’s development and integration during the Doi Moi (renovation) period.
Architectural Beauty of My Thuan Bridge
My Thuan Bridge impresses visitors at first sight with its grandeur and unique architecture. Spanning over 1.5 km in total length, the bridge stretches like a soft silk ribbon across the Tien River. The main bridge is 650m long, designed with three cable-stayed spans, including a central span of 350m. Two towering main pillars stand like majestic landmarks, supporting the robust cable system, creating a powerful and dignified image.
The wide deck, with 4 lanes for motorized vehicles and 2 lanes for rudimentary vehicles and pedestrians, ensures smooth and safe traffic flow. The bridge railings are subtly designed, ensuring safety without obstructing views, allowing visitors to freely admire the river scenery. A special feature of My Thuan Bridge is its artistic lighting system at night. Thousands of LED lights are installed along the bridge and cables, creating a shimmering, magical light show, transforming My Thuan Bridge into a brilliant highlight in the silent night.
Standing on My Thuan Bridge, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the vast Tien River and the fertile plains stretching along both banks. At dawn or dusk, the scene becomes even more poetic and enchanting. The river sparkles in the sunlight, the lush green fields stretch to the horizon, and the bright red-tiled roofs of houses peek out from under the trees, all creating a peaceful and picturesque Mekong Delta scene.
My Thuan Bridge spanning the Mekong River
My Thuan Bridge Travel Experiences
Traveling to My Thuan Bridge is not just about sightseeing; it’s also a journey to explore culture and experience Mekong Delta life. To reach My Thuan Bridge, visitors can travel by various means such as buses, self-driving cars, or motorbikes. The bridge is located on National Highway 1A, the region’s main transport axis, making it easily accessible from Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring provinces. The best time to visit My Thuan Bridge is during the dry season (from December to April), when the weather is dry and sunny, ideal for sightseeing and travel.
Upon arriving at My Thuan Bridge, visitors can stop at the foot of the bridge to capture the most beautiful perspectives. Here, there are many cafes, restaurants, and rest areas for visitors to relax and enjoy local cuisine. Visitors can stroll along the bridge to feel the grandeur of the structure and admire the river scenery. Or choose to drive a motorbike or car across the bridge to experience the sensation of gliding in the air and admire the panoramic Mekong Delta from above.
Additionally, visitors can combine a trip to My Thuan Bridge with other attractive destinations in Tien Giang and Vinh Long. Tien Giang is famous for the Cai Be floating market, Thoi Son island, Vinh Trang Pagoda, My Tho tourist area, and more. Vinh Long boasts Van Thanh Mieu, Tien Chau Pagoda, An Binh island, Vinh Long market, etc. Exploring these places will help visitors better understand the culture, history, and people of the Mekong Delta.
Scenic view of My Thuan Bridge from a distance
Cuisine Around My Thuan Bridge
Traveling to My Thuan Bridge is also an opportunity for visitors to discover the unique cuisine of the Mekong Delta. Around the My Thuan Bridge area, there are many eateries and restaurants serving local specialties such as My Tho noodle soup (Hu Tieu My Tho), Banh Xeo pancakes, grilled snakehead fish (Ca Loc Nuong Trui), hotpot with fermented fish sauce (Lau Mam), Cai Be grilled spring rolls (Nem Nuong Cai Be), and orchard fruits.
My Tho noodle soup is the most famous dish of Tien Giang, with chewy noodles, flavorful broth, and a variety of toppings such as char siu pork, shrimp, quail eggs, and fried shallots. Mekong Delta Banh Xeo pancakes have a crispy crust, filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts, served with fresh herbs and sweet and sour fish sauce. Grilled snakehead fish is a rustic but extremely appealing dish; the snakehead fish is grilled with straw until fragrant, the fish meat is sweet and tender, dipped in chili salt. Lau Mam is a typical hotpot of the Mekong Delta, with a rich fermented fish broth, served with many kinds of vegetables, fish, shrimp, and meat.
In addition, visitors should also enjoy fresh orchard fruits such as Hoa Loc mangoes, Lo Ren star apples, Cai Mon durian, and Long Khanh rambutans. Visiting the Mekong Delta without enjoying the local cuisine is like not fully experiencing the trip.
Base of My Thuan Bridge with nearby local shops
Travel Tips for My Thuan Bridge
To have a complete and meaningful trip to My Thuan Bridge, visitors should note a few tips:
- Transportation: Buses are a popular and economical means of transportation to Tien Giang and Vinh Long. If you want to be more proactive, you can rent a self-driving car or motorbike.
- Visiting time: You should visit My Thuan Bridge in the early morning or late afternoon to watch the sunrise or sunset over the Tien River. In the evening, My Thuan Bridge is beautifully lit, suitable for taking photos.
- Sightseeing spots: The foot of the bridge, especially on the Vinh Long side, offers many beautiful vantage points to admire the entire My Thuan Bridge. Visitors can also stop on the bridge to admire the scenery, but need to pay attention to traffic safety.
- Combine sightseeing: You should combine a trip to My Thuan Bridge with other destinations in Tien Giang and Vinh Long to fully explore the beauty of the Mekong Delta.
- Preparation: You should bring a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and drinking water when visiting My Thuan Bridge in the summer.
My Thuan Bridge is not only an important transportation project but also an attractive tourist destination, a symbol of the Mekong Delta. Coming to My Thuan Bridge, visitors will not only admire the majestic beauty of the bridge but also explore the culture, cuisine, and hospitable people of the Mekong Delta. Are you ready for a trip to My Thuan Bridge and explore the Mekong Delta?