This Dragon Bridge in Danang breathes fire and water – in the evening. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen it in action. I walked the bridge a couple of times in my two-week stay there but I didn’t know about the evening show – until my last night there. Yep, I missed it! However, here’s a video of the Dragon Bridge in action.
Where is Danang?
Danang is on the eastern coast of Vietnam. It is a halfway city between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, the country’s bustling capital. It is known for its beaches, thus most people go there for the sand, sea, and sun. Also, the city is just 30 minutes drive to Hoi An, an ancient town that bears the mark of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Dragon Bridge
I was on a Grab taxi from the airport to my hotel when I first saw this bridge from a distance. I thought it was uniquely designed and it truly is a head-turner or attention-seeking piece of a public art installation. Three days later, I walked and crossed the bridge – and I was wrong. It turned out it’s not a temporary art project, but a permanent one. It’s a bridge, period.
From afar, the Dragon Bridge looks this.
At any time of the day, the bridge is photogenic wherever you are along the Han River.
Measuring at 666 meters long, this well-known bridge is the longest in Vietnam.
Before you can walk on or cross the bridge, you’ll have to climb these colorful stairs.
The Dragon’s Head.
As you can see, it is made of steel. The bridge is pretty wide and has a total of six lanes.
The Dragon’s Body
With pointed scales, its body looks like the dragon you see in books and it came alive right before you. Though the dragon is a mythical animal, in many countries in Asia, it symbolizes power and prosperity.
The Dragon’s Tail
From its head to its tail, the consistency and the details of its structure are admirable.
From the bridge, you can see Danang’s skyline on both sides of the river.
There are other bridges in the city but this Dragon Bridge is the most-visited and the most unique of them all.
Hotel in Danang near My Khe Beach
Hang Mansion Hotel and Apartments is on the main road that goes to My Khe Beach. From the hotel, it only takes 3-5 minutes to walk to the beach. The hotel’s top floor has a small swimming pool and you can see the sweeping views of the surrounding areas and the beach from up there. The room is clean and two bottles of water are provided every day. There are a lot of restaurants, grocery shops, cafes, and other hotels around. The staff members are nice and helpful. The reception also offers tours and private cars – but you need to ask them. They don’t really seem to advertise such a service. You can book it via Booking, Expedia, and TripAdvisor. For hostels in Danang, check this out.