The bridge is damaged, and despite the "no entry" signs, cars still disregard them and use it.

Struggling under the burden

Built in 1992, the Bien Hoa Bridge is over 40 meters long, constructed of reinforced concrete, and spans the Bung River – an important irrigation waterway flowing through the border area between Dien Chau District and Yen Thanh District (formerly). When it was first built, the bridge was a source of hope for people on both sides of the river, as it significantly shortened travel distances, facilitating agricultural production, goods transportation, and community interaction.

However, after more than three decades, the bridge has seriously deteriorated. Over time, the volume of traffic has increased significantly, coupled with harsh weather conditions, especially annual floods, causing extensive damage to many parts of the bridge.

On the morning of July 29th, upon arriving at the site, we were shown the cracked sections of the bridge's girders by Mr. Cao Dinh Ha, the head of Phu Lam village. Looking down, many places on the girders were gaping open, exposing rusted reinforcing steel. Even with the naked eye, it was clear that this bridge spans a fairly wide section of the river. Many sections of the bridge surface were peeling. The bridge railings – the minimum safety element for people and vehicles – were in a patched-up state, with many damaged sections repaired with iron bars. Currently, one section of the railing is in a state of disrepair, almost like... "falling teeth."

Mr. Ha said that at that damaged section of the railing, someone driving a cart accidentally hit it and fell into the river. Luckily, they knew how to swim, otherwise their life would have been in danger.

It's worth noting that, despite signs prohibiting cars at both ends of the bridge, many cars were still recklessly driving across it at the time of our visit.Most drivers were well aware of the bridge's poor condition, but they still disregarded it, explaining that they had no other option but to take the risk.

Mr. Ha said: “I don’t know how much longer the bridge will last. Every time I see a car passing by, I worry. Everyone knows it’s dangerous, but the people here have no choice. Going around to Dien Nguyen commune (formerly) is nearly 10 kilometers away, and going back up to Hop Minh commune (formerly Yen Thanh district) is even further. So even though they know it’s risky, they still use it.”

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During the rainy season, when the river water rises and flows rapidly, the risk of the bridge being swept away is very real. If a heavy vehicle were to cause a section of the bridge to collapse, the consequences would be devastating. Not only would there be property damage, but it could also endanger people's lives...

Mr. Cao Dinh Ha - Head of Phu Lam village, Minh Chau commune

In reality, every day this bridge still bears the weight of hundreds of vehicles crossing it, despite the ever-present risk of accidents. Meanwhile, the demand for travel and trade between the two banks of the river is constantly increasing.

It's worth noting that currently, more than 60 hectares of agricultural land belonging to residents of Minh Chau commune are located on the other side of the Bung River. Therefore, many people have to cross this bridge daily to carry out their agricultural activities.

Ms. Huong, a resident of Phu Lam village, said: "I have to cross this bridge every day. Every time I cross the section with the damaged railing, I feel scared. Especially during harvest season, when I have to use a cart to transport rice home, crossing the bridge is very dangerous. But if I don't use this bridge, there's no other way."

It needs to be upgraded soon.

Beyond the safety risks, the dilapidated condition of the Bien Hoa Bridge is a major obstacle to the socio-economic development of the region. In recent years, Minh Chau commune has seen many positive changes in infrastructure and cultural tourism. In particular, Co Am Pagoda, an ancient and sacred temple rich in cultural value, has attracted numerous tourists and Buddhists from all over after being renovated and restored.

Every year, especially on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month, a large number of people flock to Co Am Pagoda, many of whom come from Yen Thanh commune or other upstream communes. However, due to the dilapidated condition of Bien Hoa Bridge, travel between the two sides of the river has become inconvenient and dangerous, significantly reducing the potential for connectivity and the development of local tourism services.

Furthermore, this bridge plays a crucial role in promoting trade connections between two regions with a long tradition of agricultural production. Improved transportation will facilitate the movement and consumption of goods, increasing people's income and creating an effective economic linkage.

Mr. Le Manh Hien, Chairman of the Minh Chau Commune People's Committee, said: "The deterioration of the Bien Hoa bridge has lasted for many years, posing many safety risks, especially during the rainy season. Voters have repeatedly raised this issue in meetings with provincial People's Council representatives and National Assembly representatives. However, due to limited local budget, resources have not yet been allocated for repairs or the construction of a new bridge."

Mr. Hien added that, according to preliminary assessments, building a new bridge with a modern structure and sufficient width for safe car traffic would require a relatively large amount of capital. This is beyond the commune's capabilities, so it urgently needs attention and support from higher levels of government.

Given the current state of deterioration of the Bien Hoa Bridge, it is clear that investing in its upgrade to ensure traffic safety, especially with the rainy season approaching, is extremely important. This not only ensures traffic safety but also significantly contributes to unlocking the potential for economic, social, cultural, and tourism development in the entire region.