Hà Nội closes off historic Long Biên Bridge from today

A deserted Long Biên Bridge after it was closed on Tuesday. — VNA/VNS Photo Minh Quyết

HÀ NỘI — In light of recent flooding on the Hồng (Red) River, the Hà Nội Department of Transport has decided to close Long Biên Bridge from 3pm on Tuesday.

No passengers nor vehicles are allowed to cross the bridge from both sides, according to an announcement by the Hà Nội Department of Transport.

"We decided to extend this ban (of vehicles and passengers) until water in the Red River recedes and safety is ensured," an official of the Hà Nội Department of Transport told the media.

Earlier on Tuesday morning, Vietnam Railways (VNR) banned trains from crossing through Long Biên Bridge, another old bridge built in the early 1900s. Hà Nội - Hải Phòng trains now departs from Gia Lâm Station instead of Hà Nội Station. The decision is due to the water level reaching a safety limit for trains, according to Phan Quốc Anh, Deputy Director of VNR.

Hà Nội Department of Transport earlier announced that passenger coach buses with over nine seats and freight vehicles heavier than 0.5 tonnes are banned from traveling on Chương Dương Bridge, another bridge crossing the Red River, in the wake of the bridge collapse that killed eight people in Phú Thọ Province. The decision has come into effect since 8.30am.

Hà Nội's most iconic bridge crossing the Red River, and the oldest at 122 years old, was built on 1898 during the French occupation, and had a railroad track in the middle of the bridge.

During wartime, the bridge was damaged and underwent repairs. The repairs continued from 1995-2010, and once again in 2015 with a total investment of VNĐ416 billion (US$16.5 million).

From 2021-2022, VNR performed repairs in Long Biên Bridge, in both the rail and the road sections of the bridge. — VNS