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Having stood for nearly 250 years, Thanh Toan Tile Bridge (in Huong Thuy town, Hue city) is now considered one of Vietnam's five most beautiful ancient tile bridges.
The history behind Thanh Toan Tile Bridge
Located in Thanh Thuy Chanh village, Thuy Thanh commune, Huong Thuy town, Thanh Toan Tile Bridge was built in 1776. The bridge was funded by Mrs. Tran Thi Dao, the wife of a high-ranking official during the reign of King Le Hien Tong. She received royal praise and exemption from various local taxes for the village. In 1925, Emperor Khai Dinh also granted her a royal title, Duc Bao Trung Hung Linh Pho. The Emperor further ordered the villagers to set up a shrine on the bridge to honor her.
The bridge was constructed using the "upper house, lower bridge" design (a bridge on top of a house). The bridge consists of several sections, each resembling a small house within a larger structure. The main body of the bridge is made from wood, with a roof covered in glazed ceramic tiles. In terms of design, the "upper house" part uses a wooden truss system with seven sections. The central section, the largest, serves as the shrine to Mrs. Tran Thi Dao. The remaining six sections are symmetrically arranged, each featuring two rows of wooden benches and handrails. The sections are divided into a "pedestrian lane" in the middle and "resting areas" on the sides.
The original dimensions of the bridge were 43 m (141.75 ft) long and 14 m (45.9 ft) wide. After several restorations, the bridge now measures 16.85 m (55.2 ft) in length and 4.63 m (15.2 ft) in width. While similar to the Chua Cau bridge in Hoi An, which uses dog and monkey motifs for decoration, Thanh Toan Tile Bridge features dragon and phoenix designs on the ridge caps of its roof. The gable ends are decorated with enamel patterns, with motifs centered around the theme of "turning into a dragon."
Interesting activities near the Tile Bridge
During each Hue Festival, Thuy Thanh commune holds a ceremony to carry the spirit tablet of Mrs. Tran Thi Dao from the Tile Bridge. This procession marks the opening of the "Village Market Festival", one of the most distinctive cultural events. The village market is set up in the open space next to the bridge. Visitors to the market can immerse themselves in the simple life of the locals in Hue. Additionally, they have the chance to purchase traditional souvenirs such as figurines, conical hats, and more. Guests can also enjoy performances of Bai Choi music, watch boat races, and more.
Next to Thanh Toan Tile Bridge, there is the Thanh Toan Agricultural Tools Exhibition House. Visitors can learn about the history of farming tools. The exhibition reflects the rural life of Thanh Toan village through items like waterwheels, buckets, sieves, rice mortars, and bamboo trays. Visitors also have the opportunity to engage in fun activities such as operating a waterwheel, grinding rice, and making conical hats.
According to Mytour.vn
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Reference: Mytour.vn Travel Guide
Mytour.vnAugust 7, 2024
