We helped build a new bridge to replace an old, rickety timber bridge in Hậu Giang province. Known by the locals as ‘Cầu Đê ngăn mặn’, it is located at Hamlet 7, Xà Phiên village, Long Mỹ district, 227 km from Saigon and 65 km from Cần Thơ.
Condition of the old bridge
Approaching road at one end of the bridge
The old bridge was in an appalling condition, presenting a huge danger to all users. In fact, it had caused many serious accidents for the locals, especially children going to the two nearby primary schools and a secondary school.
A very brave bridge user!
The new bridge is of concrete construction, 28m long, 3m wide and with 5 Ton capacity. Total cost amounted to VND 261 Million (about AUD 16,000), of which Vietnam Foundation contributed VND 140 Million, local people and authorities VN 80 Million and the Đồng Tâm Charity group, which managed the construction, VND 41 Million.
Design drawing of the new bridge
Ground breaking ceremony for the construction was held on 12 August 2018.
New bridge under construction
Bridge construction was completed in early October 2018.
The opening ceremony was held on 20 October 2018 with the presence of our representatives in Vietnam, Prof HC Hoài and Ms NT Huyền Trân, representatives of the Đồng Tâm Charity Group, the bridge design engineer and local people. Many local school children were presented with gifts of books and stationery on the occasion.
The new bridge at completion
First official walk across the new bridge. From Left to Right: Mr NV Vương, the bridge designer/engineer, Prof HC Hoài, VNF’s representative, Ms N Ngọc Mai, representative of the Đồng Tâm Charity Group and Ms NT Huyền Trân, VNF’s representative.
Local children, people and representatives of the groups which were involved in the bridge construction celebrating on the new bridge.
The plaque for the new bridge