Vietnam’s fire-breathing dragon bridge will make you look twice

By Josh Lew, Mother Nature Network

Sitting on the central coastline of Vietnam – an hour’s flight from both the political capital of Ha Noi and the overcrowded economic hub of Sai Gon – Da Nang is a metropolis on the rise. Thanks to its relatively newfound economic prowess, some people have started referring to this port city as one of Asia’s economic dragons.  As you will see shortly, this nickname is certainly not lost on Da Nang’s urban planners.   
 

Dragon river bridge located in Da Nang. Photo: Peera_stockfoto/Shutterstock

The very definition of an Asian boomtown, Da Nang has changed from a backwater harbor to a metropolis featuring high-rise hotels, expensive real estate, palatial beachside resorts, a beautifully designed airport, and one of the world’s most unique bridges.
 
The metro area, which is home to more than a million people, is divided by the Han River. Two bridges now connect the city’s downtown and airport with the main beach and resort area (there are six bridges over the Han in all). Both of the urban spans are lit up brightly at night, but the newer of the pair has a little bit more light, thanks to the fire-breathing dragon that sits just above its roadway. 

The aptly-named Dragon Bridge (it’s called Cầu Rồng in Vietnamese) feature a snake-like dragon that seems to be slithering along the six-lane roadway. Opened in early 2013, the Dragon Bridge has 2,500 LED lights provided by Phillips. The bridge was designed by American architecture firm The Louis Berger Group. Berger’s design also included a wide riverfront plaza that stretches along the banks of the Han.

Read the full article by Josh Lew from Mother Nature Network.