Dan Tri and Dau Tu newspapers have built a new bridge in the southern province of Bac Lieu.

 New bridge opens on October 27

The VND238-million (USD11,300) bridge opened on October 27. The old bridge only safely allowed one person to cross at a time and was extremely rickety, putting off pupils who had to use a longer route to avoid the dangerous crossing.

 Phan Huy, head of Dan Tri's Mekong Delta office

Dau Tu editor-in-chief Nguyen Anh Tuan

Nguyen Chi Cong, chairman of Phong Tan Commune, said the communal budget was limited and could not afford a new bridge.

Xuyen, a local in Phong Tan Commune, said, "We're so happy. The new bridge means pupils don't have to be scared and don’t have to use the longer route anymore. We want to thank the sponsors for the new bridge."

Pupils receive scholarships from the Vietnam Study Promotion Fund 

Dan Tri and Dau Tu scholarships

Dau Tu editor-in-chief Nguyen Anh Tuan said both newspapers had worked together on charitable projects for a long time and looked forward to more joint efforts.

This is the ninth bridge in Bac Lieu Province and fifth sponsored bridge in the Mekong Delta region. In the coming time, Dan Tri will build a bridge in Soc Trang Province.

 Trying out the new bridge

On the same day, the Vietnam Study Promotion Fund gave 50 scholarships worth VND25 million, to help disadvantaged pupils.

The local authorities, Dan Tri and Dau Tu newspapers also gave 50 scholarships, each worth VND500,000 each to outstanding poor students.

Nguyen Van Hien, party secretary in Phong Tan Commune, said the new bridge would help boost the local economy.