France funds $784,000 to study the renovation of Long Bien Bridge

Hanoi has announced the approval of a technical assistance project called "Research on the Renovation of Long Bien Bridge," funded by a non-refundable grant from the French Embassy in Vietnam through the FASEP Fund under the French Ministry of Economy and Finance, totaling nearly VND20 billion (over $784,000).

The project aims to determine the feasibility of solutions for ensuring structural safety and alternative uses of the bridge in the future. This includes the safety of people and vehicles using the structure, its heritage value, and scenarios for its future use.

The project consists of three components: Survey, data collection, and analysis/evaluation; Proposing short-term renovation and repair solutions for the bridge to ensure traffic safety; and Researching and proposing options for its future use when the national railway line through the bridge is discontinued and handed over to the Hanoi People's Committee for management.

The project will be implemented over 11 months and is expected to be completed in 2025.

Previously, in 2023, the French Embassy sent a letter to the Hanoi People's Committee offering approximately €700,000 in technical advice and support for research into renovation and repair options for the Long Bien Bridge.

The Long Bien Bridge, which spans the Red River, was built from 1898 to 1902 by the Daydé & Pillé Company (France) and put into operation in 1903.

The bridge is 2,290 m long over the river and has 896 m of approach spans. It has a single-track railway running in the middle, with roads for motorized vehicles and pedestrians on either side.