Top 5 Longest Sea Bridges in Vietnam

The Van Don Sea Bridge, stretching 490 meters, is the second longest bridge in Quang Ninh Province and plays a critical role in the region's transportation network. Located to the east of Ha Long, Van Don was once a remote area, cut off by numerous islands, making travel between the islands challenging. Before 2005, people had to take a ferry across the Tai Xa River to connect Van Don with Cam Pha. With the completion of the Van Don Sea Bridge in 2005, travel times were dramatically reduced, and it became an important link between regions.

The project for the Van Don Sea Bridge was approved by the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee in 2000, with a total investment of 145 billion VND. It connects Road 334 to National Highway 18. Construction began in May 2002, and after nearly three years of work, the bridge was officially opened on January 1, 2005.

Since its completion, the bridge has significantly improved connectivity, easing travel from the western part of the province to Ha Long and Van Don. It has also supported the region's economic development, facilitated trade, and attracted investment opportunities. Along with the Cai Rong Port and other infrastructure projects, the Van Don Sea Bridge has opened up new avenues for Quang Ninh's economic growth, helping Van Don emerge as a key hub for the province's progress.

The first bridge on this list is the De Gi Sea Bridge, which stretches nearly 400 meters in Binh Dinh Province. It is the second bridge built after the Thi Nai Bridge, completed in 2022. Part of the National Coastal Road Project DT639, this bridge is considered one of the most challenging and significant structures in the project, requiring 10 months of construction before it was officially opened in February 2023.

The De Gi Sea Bridge has a total length of 396 meters. The approach bridge from Phu Cat district consists of 3 spans, totaling 118 meters, while the approach bridge from Phu My district spans 2 sections of 78 meters. The main bridge itself is made up of 3 spans, with a combined length of 200 meters. The asphalt surface is over 17 meters wide, allowing for traffic speeds of up to 80 km/h.

With the completion of the De Gi Sea Bridge, the coastal traffic route connecting Quy Nhon City to Hoai Nhon Town has been streamlined, cutting travel time by over 40 minutes. It has become a long-awaited link for the residents of Phu Cat and Phu My districts, who were previously separated by distance. The bridge has opened up new possibilities for the economic and tourism development of Binh Dinh Province, particularly for coastal areas, providing a boost to the local economy and improving connectivity across the region.

The Tan Vu Sea Bridge, stretching 5,440 meters, is the longest sea bridge in Vietnam and one of the longest in Southeast Asia. It is part of the Tan Vu - Lach Huyen road project, which covers a total distance of 15 kilometers. The bridge connects to the Hanoi - Hai Phong Expressway, and its bridge section is 5,440 meters long, with the approach roads measuring 10.19 kilometers. This impressive bridge features cutting-edge Japanese construction technologies, such as the use of pre-cast concrete segments for its beams.

The Tan Vu - Lach Huyen Bridge is designed to be a durable, long-lasting structure with reinforced concrete and prestressed steel. The bridge deck is 16 meters wide, and the entire bridge spans 29.5 kilometers, with 6 lanes—4 for motor vehicles and 2 for non-motorized traffic. The maximum speed limit is 80 km/h. This new connection between Hai Phong city and Cat Ba Island has drastically reduced travel times, cutting the journey from over an hour by ferry to just 5-10 minutes.

Notably, the bridge also includes a special tunnel beneath it, considered the 'technical box' of this monumental project. The Tan Vu - Lach Huyen Sea Bridge plays a critical role in connecting the entire region, linking the Hanoi – Hai Phong Expressway, National Highways 5 and 18, the Hanoi – Hai Phong railway, the Noi Bai – Ha Long Expressway, and Cat Bi International Airport. It is integral to the economic triangle of Hanoi – Hai Phong – Quang Ninh, facilitating the smooth movement of goods to ports in the area and strengthening the region's infrastructure network.

The Thi Nai Sea Bridge is the longest sea bridge in Central Vietnam and the second longest in the country. It connects the city of Quy Nhon with Nhon Hoi, consisting of 54 spans, with the total bridge length reaching 7 kilometers, including a main bridge of 2,477 meters. This massive infrastructure project also includes a primary bridge crossing the Thi Nai Lagoon and five smaller bridges over the Ha Thanh River.

Construction began in 2002, utilizing modern engineering techniques from Austria and Australia to ensure the bridge could handle heavy traffic loads. On December 12, 2006, the Bình Định Provincial People's Committee officially opened the bridge. It has since become a significant symbol for the people of Bình Định, contributing greatly to the region's economic and social development while drawing tourists interested in its unique structure.

From above, the Thi Nai Sea Bridge resembles a scenic masterpiece, stretching across the vast blue sea like a ribbon of white silk, linking two areas of Bình Định Province. The sight of the bridge across the turquoise waters creates a picturesque and tranquil image, blending beautifully with the natural surroundings.

Since its opening, the Thi Nai Sea Bridge has awakened the untapped potential of Bình Định’s port system. Not only does it have immense economic and social value, but it also stands as a key tourist attraction in Quy Nhon. Its striking architecture and picturesque natural landscape have made it a popular destination for travelers, both domestic and international, making it an essential stop on the tourist map.

The Van Tien Sea Bridge is the longest sea bridge in Quang Ninh and the third longest in Vietnam, part of the Van Don - Tien Yen expressway project. Spanning over 1,500 meters, the bridge connects the districts of Van Don and Tien Yen and was completed on December 5th. The project cost nearly 800 billion VND and is the largest among the 32 bridges on the Van Don - Mong Cai expressway.

Designed with a permanent reinforced concrete structure, the bridge features a 25-meter wide roadway. The expressway standard allows for 4 lanes of motor vehicles and 2 emergency lanes, with a maximum speed limit of 120 km/h.

The construction of this bridge was highly challenging due to the complex geographical and geological conditions, including strong tidal currents with a 3-5 meter difference in water levels and a 17-meter deep foundation. The process of setting up drilling rigs and floating systems for the bridge's construction was time-consuming and difficult.

Upon completion, the Van Tien Sea Bridge, along with the Van Don – Mong Cai expressway, will shorten the travel time from Hanoi to Mong Cai to just 3 hours. It will greatly improve road connectivity from Lang Son to Mong Cai, Van Don, and Ha Long. Additionally, the bridge will serve as a key trade gateway between Vietnam, ASEAN, and China, boosting economic development, connecting major economic zones, and attracting both domestic and international investors to the areas along the expressway.