1. Where is the Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai River?
The relic complex of Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai River is located in Vinh Linh district, Quang Tri province, about 100 km north of Hue city. It is part of the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) established by the Geneva Accords in 1954, which divided Vietnam into two areas: North Vietnam and South Vietnam during the war.
2. Why is it called the Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai River?
The name of the complex comes from two main features: Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai River. Hien Luong Bridge is a steel bridge spanning the Ben Hai River, connecting the two banks of the river. Ben Hai River is a tributary of the Thach Han River, flowing from West to East and forming the 17th parallel, which used to be the boundary between the two regions.
3. The meaning of the Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai River
The relic complex of Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai River is not only a historical relic but also a cultural and spiritual symbol of Vietnam. It symbolizes pain, sadness of separation, hope, desire for national unity, pride, and joy of national independence and freedom.
4. What do Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai River have?
4.1. Hien Luong Bridge
The first Hien Luong Bridge was built in 1928, and made of wood, and people in the area contributed money and effort to build it. By 1952, France rebuilt the bridge with reinforced concrete. After the Geneva Agreement, the Hien Luong Bridge across the Ben Hai River was divided into 2 parts, 2 areas, and painted 2 colors: the southern half of the bridge was painted yellow, and the northern half of the bridge was painted blue. The boundary is a white horizontal line 1cm wide.
This bridge was destroyed by American bombs in 1967. After many constructions and restorations, in 2003, it was restored to its original design following the design of the old bridge.
4.2. Flagpoles of the North and South regions
On each bank of the Ben Hai River, there is a flagpole flying the flag of the corresponding region. The flagpole on the North bank is 38.6m high, flying the red flag with a yellow star, the national flag of Vietnam. The flagpole on the South bank is 35 meters high, flying a yellow flag with three red stripes, the old flag of South Vietnam. The flagpole was erected in 1962 and 1956, respectively, to demonstrate the political and ideological differences between the two regions.
Today, the flagpole on the northern bank of the Ben Hai River is preserved as a historical relic, simulating the flagpole that the Government and army of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam previously erected. The 28m high flagpole is made from 6 interconnected steel pipe sections. At the top of the flagpole is a five-pointed yellow star flag.
4.3. Exhibition house “The 17th Parallel and the Desire for Unification”
5. Opening hours and entrance fee
The Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai River are open daily from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Visitors should plan to spend at least 2 hours to explore the relic complex and learn about its history and culture.
The entrance fee is 40,000 VND per person.
6. How to get to the Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai River?
The Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai River are easily accessible by various means of transportation. Visitors can travel by car, motorbike, bus, or train to Quang Tri, and then take a taxi or a motorbike.
Alternatively, visitors can also book a private car from a travel agency, which will arrange the transportation and itinerary. Many options are available, depending on the budget, preference, and duration of the trip.
If the trip does not include a stop at Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai River, you can also ask the supplier to add additional attractions before starting the journey.
Here are suggestions for trips by private car:
- Private car from Hue to Phong Nha takes 7 hours and costs about 99 USD per 4 seat car
- Private car from Da Nang to DMZ takes about 9 hours and costs about 155 USD per 4 seat car.
- Private car from Hoi An to Phong Nha takes 1 day and costs about 150 USD per 4 seat car.
- Private car from Phong Nha to Hue takes about 7 hours and costs about 99 USD per 4 seat car.
- Private car from Phong Nha to Hoi An takes 1 day and costs about 172 USD per 4 seat car.
7. When should you visit the Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai River?
