Ong Cop - Vietnam's Longest Wooden Bridge

Ong Cop Bridge not only captures the attention of tourists for sightseeing and photography but also serves as a shortcut to various other famous destinations in Phu Yen.

Ong Cop Bridge - Vietnam's Longest Wooden Bridge

Vietnam has many wooden bridges spanning rivers, handcrafted by locals, connecting villages or small islets. One of the most renowned wooden bridges is Miếu Ong Cop Bridge, located in the 'yellow flowers on green grass' province of Phu Yen.

Situated less than a hundred meters from National Highway 1 - near the Vung Xoai slope - Miếu Ong Cop Bridge (also known as Ong Cop Bridge, Binh Thanh, Tuy An) spans the Binh Ba River (indicated on maps as the Phu Ngan River). The bridge links the northern hamlets of An Ninh Tay commune, Tuy An district, with Xuan Dai ward, Song Cau town.

Constructed in 1998 with a total cost exceeding 1 billion VND, the bridge has a length of over 700 meters and a width of 1.5 meters (widest point 1.8 meters). The primary material used in the bridge is wooden planks made from rattan tree trunks. The bridge's structure is crafted from aged bamboo stalks.

At the beginning of the bridge in Xuan Dai ward, there stands a simple wooden house, also functioning as the toll collection point for passing vehicles. Each trip, pedestrians pay 1,000 VND, motorcyclists pay 3,000 VND, and those carrying additional cargo pay 5,000 VND. Under the bridge, there are stacks of rattan wood ready for use, promptly repairing any damaged planks. In some years, heavy rains and floods washed away the entire bridge, requiring months of reconstruction. During that period, locals had to take a much longer detour.

In ancient tales, when humans and animals could understand each other, the My Dua mountain often hosted a group of tigers, including Mr. White Tiger. When Mrs. Tiger faced difficult labor, Mr. Tiger leaped down the mountain, ran straight into Dong Do village, tore down the clay walls of a small house, and grabbed the midwife to assist in the childbirth.

Hearing the commotion, many villagers rushed to witness Mr. Tiger but dared not intervene. They could only kneel down, worship, and light incense, pleading for the release of the woman. However, Mr. Tiger silently carried the midwife up the mountain. After assisting Mrs. Tiger in giving birth, Mr. Tiger safely brought her back down the mountain.

Three nights later, Mr. White Tiger brought a wild boar to the midwife's doorstep as a token of gratitude. Some time later, the midwife left Dong Do village for Phu Hanh coastal village, located below Hon Bu mountain in An Ninh Dong commune, Tuy An district, to start a new life. That area is now a popular destination for tourists to admire the national scenic site of Ganh Da Dia.

After the midwife passed away, in the last days of every lunar year, the people of Dong Do village saw the footprints of Mr. White Tiger from the direction of My Dua mountain, crossing the Binh Ba River towards Tien Chau beach, then down to Hon Bu to visit the midwife's grave.

Since then, Mr. White Tiger lay beneath My Dua mountain with a solemn and melancholic appearance. Not long after, he passed away. In fond memory of the gentle and grateful Mr. White Tiger, who valued and helped the midwife during childbirth, the villagers of Dong Do collectively ascended the mountain to quarry stones, forming the shrine of Mr. Tiger for worship. The bridge became inseparable from Mr. Tiger's shrine, hence the name Ong Cop Bridge originated from this connection.

Not just a thoroughfare for the local community, Ong Cop Bridge is also an exciting destination for young people, backpackers, and photography enthusiasts. Moreover, it serves as a shortcut leading to famous attractions in Phu Yen such as Ganh Da Dia, O Loan Lagoon, Mang Lang Church, and Tam Giang Dam.

According to Do Thi Huynh Hoa/Vnexpress

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Reference: Travel guide Mytour