Under the proposal sent to the Ministry of Transport, the investment would improve the Long Bien and Phu Luong bridges between 2026 and 2031.

Long Bien Bridge

Long Bien Bridge is part of the Hanoi-Dong Dang railway route, and Phu Luong Bridge is part of the Gia Lam-Haiphong railway route.

According to the Vietnam Railway Authority, Long Bien Bridge, a vital part of the Hanoi-Dong Dang railway route, has deteriorated significantly after 120 years of use, necessitating immediate action.

The prime minister previously assigned and earmarked VND250 billion (USD9.82 million)for the Vietnam Railway Corporation to invest in restoring Long Bien Bridge. The project must be completed in 2025.

The Long Bien Bridge will have some parts of its support structure and steel auxiliary piers replaced due to rust, reinforcing, repairing, and rust-proofing the steel pile structure at the auxiliary piers on the bridge.

Meanwhile, some parts of Phu Luong Bridge, such as the longitudinal and cross beams and truss system, have become rusty and dilapidated.

Long Bien Bridge spanning 1,691 metres across the Red River was designed by the French in 1898.