The pontoon bridge was installed 400 metres from the Phong Chau Bridge collapse site. It was put into operation on Monday morning, and bikes, motorbikes, cars, and pickup trucks can use it between 6 am and 10 pm.

The bridge, which spans the Red River, will help shorten transportation between Phu Tho's Lam Thao and Tam Nong districts by more than 10 km.

Phong Chau Bridge suddenly collapsed on September 9 due to rising Red River floodwaters, leaving four dead and four others missing. The bridge's collapse has caused significant disruptions to local life, property damage, and traffic flow.

According to the director of Phu Tho Provincial Transport Department, Tran Hoai Giang, they have co-operated with relevant agencies on the survey and design plan for the new bridge.

"The new bridge project will cost VND875 billion, which will be sourced from the state budget, Giang said. "It will have six lanes stretching one kilometre, including 400 metres across the Red River and 600 metres of connecting road."

The Vietnam Road Administration has just approved spending over VND9 billion to salvage the bridge and navigate traffic flows during that time.

Earlier, PM Pham Minh Chinh also urged Phu Tho authorities to study, survey, and prepare investment procedures for a new Phong Chau Bridge that can withstand all weather conditions.