As a result of years of war, Vietnam’s infrastructure might not be as strong as others; however, it is steadily and sustainably improving over the past few years. The mission of building the right kind of infrastructure needed to support more than 97 million people is not easy at all, but these civil engineering projects have proved that Vietnam is doing well!
#1 Dragon Bridge
Anyone who has been to Đà Nẵng in the last decade will instantly recognize this distinctive bridge. It’s the centerpiece of the tourism industry in Vietnam’s sixth-largest city and features in the background of countless pictures. Though the bridge doesn’t boast much in terms of span and height, its combination of functional importance — being a main thoroughfare in the downtown – and spectacular design makes this a bridge you’ll never forget, especially if you’re around when it spits fire.
#2 Long Bien Bridge
It was originally designed by the French and built by Vietnamese workers at the turn of the 20th century, using Vietnamese materials. Since then, this bridge has been a vital connection between the capital city and the surrounding farmlands. Though the bridge was destroyed several times by American bombers, it has been repaired and now represents Hanoi’s resilience.
#3 The Landmark 81
This colossal building is the focal point of Vinhomes Central Park, a massive housing complex along the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh City. This area is essentially a new city within a mega-city, and will eventually be home to tens of thousands of people, drawn to live in the shadow of the tallest building in Vietnam.
#4 Reunification Express
The name of this railway signifies the struggle to reunify the country during and after the American War. When Saigon fell in 1975, the railway tracks, bridges and tunnels throughout Vietnam were in dire need of repairs. Amazingly, it took less than two years before trains were up and running between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Today, the reunification express is a popular way for tourists and locals to enjoy this beautiful country.
#5 Hai Van Tunnel
This tunnel shares its name with one of the best motorbike routes in the country and has completely changed how people move between Huế and Đà Nẵng. Trucks were once forced to traverse the hairpin turns and terrifying drops of the Hải Vân Pass, but now they can cruise through the modern Hải Vân Tunnel, which at 6.28km is also the longest in Southeast Asia.
Source: Matthew Pike / the culture trip
