Investments

Vietnam’s Engineering Marvel: River Bridge Rises 1.08 Meters, Officially Reopens Today

The river bridge, recently put into operation, has been elevated by an impressive 1.08 meters using groundbreaking technology, showcasing the exceptional capabilities of Vietnamese engineers.

Administrator

25 November, 2025

Binh Trieu 1 Bridge Officially Opens to Traffic This Morning

On the morning of November 23, the Center for Road Infrastructure Management (under the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction) held an opening ceremony for the Binh Trieu 1 Bridge after completing the clearance height upgrade project. This critical component is expected to alleviate congestion at the northeastern gateway and enhance waterway transportation on the Saigon River.

The clearance height upgrade project for Binh Trieu 1 Bridge began on August 26. Just over a month later, on September 30, the main structure was raised by 1.08 meters, achieving a clearance height of 7 meters. This ensures safe passage for ships weighing 2,000–3,000 tons.

Binh Trieu 1 Bridge this morning. Photo: Bao NLĐ

Previously, Binh Trieu 1 Bridge and Binh Phuoc 1 Bridge (built before 1975) had clearance heights of only 5.5–6 meters, failing to meet planning requirements and severely hindering waterway transportation on the Saigon River.

The Binh Trieu 1 Bridge clearance height upgrade project has a total investment of 133 billion VND, with a route length of over 770 meters. Simultaneously, the Binh Phuoc 1 Bridge upgrade project has a budget of 110 billion VND, raising its height by an additional 1.25 meters. Both projects utilize advanced hydraulic lifting technology, ensuring construction while maintaining traffic flow.

First-Time Application in Vietnam, Highly Praised by the Ministry of Construction

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Tran Quang Lam, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction, stated that during project research, the option of building a new bridge with a total investment of approximately 1 trillion VND was considered. However, as this is a major traffic artery, closing the bridge for new construction would have severe impacts.

Therefore, Ho Chi Minh City opted for an upgrade instead of new construction, costing only over 100 billion VND but still ensuring:

According to Mr. Lam, during the nine-month implementation, traffic was restricted for cars for only about three months, while other vehicles continued to flow normally.

Despite the modest investment, this technical solution is being applied in Vietnam for the first time. The project has been highly praised for:

The project involved collaboration among experts, scientists, and experienced entities such as the French contractor Freyssinet, the Institute of Science and Technology, and various consulting and supervisory organizations. Inspection results confirm that all technical parameters meet standards.

The Director of the Department of Construction noted that the northeastern gateway is currently a severe traffic bottleneck, especially with numerous major projects pending completion in Thu Duc City and Binh Duong. Upgrading the clearance height of Binh Trieu 1 Bridge not only facilitates waterway transportation but also reduces road traffic pressure, enhancing inter-regional connectivity.

The project’s completion and restoration of full traffic flow are expected to drive positive changes, ensuring smooth transportation amid accelerated infrastructure investment in the eastern region.