Nipa palm leaf bridge across Saigon River set for February opening

The nipa palm leaf-shaped pedestrian bridge crossing the Saigon River in downtown Ho Chi Minh City has reached about 90% completion and is expected to open to the public for the upcoming Lunar New Year, or Tet.

The bridge will have its main arch joined on Oct. 21 following the successful towing of its 3,400-ton steel arch structure via the sea route from Vung Tau on Monday.

Following the connection of the arch, contractors will finish the bridge deck, railings, architectural features, and lighting systems, as well as install escalators and elevators to prepare the bridge for operation, said Nguyen Huu Hoang, project director at Nutifood, which is funding the bridge construction.

He added that the bridge is expected to be put into use this Tet, which will fall in early February next year.

The main steel arch of the pedestrian bridge arrives near Bach Dang Wharf on the afternoon of Oct. 19, 2026. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran

On Monday, a barge carrying the main steel arch span arrived at the construction area at Bach Dang Wharf following a 124-km journey from Vung Tau.

The assembly is currently anchored along the Thu Thiem bank, preparing to be positioned for installation to connect the two sides of the river.

The main steel arch structure was assembled at the Dai Dung factory in the Dong Xuyen Industrial Park in the former Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province, which is now a part of HCMC.

The structure is approximately 187 m long and weighs 1,400 tons; along with a 2,000-ton support frame, it was loaded onto a specialized barge before departing for central Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday morning.

An artist's impression of a pedestrian bridge across the Saigon River. Photo by the design consortium, Chodai - Takashi Niwa Architects and Chodai Kisojiban Vietnam

Construction commenced in March 2025, and the pedestrian bridge costs nearly VND1 trillion (US$38.6 million).

The structure measures approximately 720-m long with a deck width ranging from 6 to 11 m. Its main steel span is shaped like a nipa palm leaf, a natural symbol of southern Vietnam.

The bridge features an unobstructed view, catering to pedestrians with dedicated lanes for bicycles and accessible pathways for people with disabilities. It is also designed to accommodate ambulances in emergency situations.

This is the first pedestrian bridge to cross the Saigon River. Once operational, the landmark will provide a direct connection between the city center and the Thu Thiem New Urban Area while expanding riverside public spaces for both residents and visitors.