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Thanh Toan Bridge (built 18th century? onward)

Thanh Toan bridge is located about 7 kilometers to the east of Hue in Thuy Thanh Commune, Huong Thuy district. It was reportedly established during the reign of Emperor Le Hien Tong (1740-1786) and has been maintained by the village ever since. Construction of the bridge was initiated by Tran Thi Dao, the wife of a high-ranking Mandarin in Le Hien Tong's court. Tran, who came from this area, had the bridge constructed to better facilitate transportation and communication in the village that lines both sides of the canal. When the Emperor heard of her charitable act, he exempted the village from taxation as a reminder for them to live up to her example. In 1925, Emperor Khai Dinh granted her a posthumous title and ordered the villagers to establish an altar on the bridge in her memory.

In many guidebooks, the bridge is referred to as the "Japanese Bridge" since it bears some stylistic resemblence to another small wooden bridge in nearby Hoian (see the Japanese Bridge, Hoian, on this website). Recognizing the bridge's historical value, the Cultural Ministry renovated the bridge in 1991.

Location

The approximate location of the bridge is 16.466910' N, 107.643204' E (WGS 84 map datum).