The Japanese Covered Bridge Hoi An: A Comprehensive Guide
The Japanese Covered Bridge Hoi An: A Comprehensive Guide
The distance is around 30 kilometers from Da Nang City and nearly 140 kilometers from Hue City to get into the heart of Hoian Ancient Town.
Your trip to Hoian will only be complete if you have seen the historical symbol of this ancient town - Japanese Covered Bridge or Chua Cau in Vietnamese. Existing for more than decades, The Japanese Covered Bridge or Chua Cau is not only one of the most famous sightseeings of Vietnam but also plays an essential role in the ritual life of local people here.
Image by Vietnam Budget Car rental
The Japanese Covered Bridge, Hoi An - Beauty through History
Introduction of the Japanese Covered Bridge
Hoian's Japanese Covered Bridge was built by the Japanese 400 years ago. Even though the wooden bridge has only a length of 18 meters and bends over the canal flowing into the Hoai River, the Covered bridge has become an extraordinary work with its unique architecture in the shape of a pagoda.
The Japanese Covered Bridge also has another name, Lai Viễn Kiều ( a bridge welcoming guests from Afar) or Hoian Japanese Bridge. Still, it is more familiar with the name Chua Cau, meaning it is a bridge built in a pagoda style. In the past, besides regulating traffic, it was also a place of religious activities of citizens and a meeting point for trading disputes in the commercial port of Hoian.
Today, the Japanese Covered Bridge has become a symbol of the ancient quarter, contributing to Hoian as a World Cultural Heritage. On February, 17,1990, the Japanese Covered Bridge was recognized as a National Historic-Cultural Monument by UNESCO.
History of the Japanese Covered Bridge
During the XVI and XVII centuries, the Nguyen Dynasty tried to reform the country, open trade with foreign nations, and develop their commercial industry.
Image by Vietnam Budget Car rental
So on, Hoian was chosen as a port town - a place to meet and exchange goods with foreign merchants. Along with the development of the economy, Hoian port was becoming busier and busier, and then quickly transferred into one of the largest ports in Southeast Asia.
When Japanese people in business came to Hoi An to settle down, they donated money to build a bridge over the canal to facilitate their merchants.
So that is the reason why it was called the Japanese Bridge. In 1653, the Japanese made an additional part of the pagoda, connecting the north railing protruding from the middle of the bridge, so the locals called it Cau Pagoda. Until now, this is the only architectural work considered of Japanese origin.
According to the chronology inscribed on the roof beam and the epitaph at the head of the bridge, it was rebuilt around 1817 under the Nguyen Dynasty.
Since then, this bridge has undergone many significant restorations in the past few years: 1865, 1915, and 1986. Unfortunately, some original Japanese architectural features have gradually disappeared after various repairs, replaced by Vietnamese and Chinese styles, as visitors can see today.
On December 28, 2023, the Hoian government started implementing the project to restore the Cau Pagoda relic site, which will be held until the end of 2023.
Hoi An Covered Bridge is also associated with the daily lives of the locals here. Typically, traffic regulation is convenient for traveling in the old quarter.
Read more: Kim Bong Carpentry Village in Hoian.
There is a folk tale about this bridge: A sea monster named Mamazu, translated into Vietnamese as Cu. It is the cause of natural disasters under its dominion. To control this monster, the Japanese built a bridge with the shape of a sword stabbing the monster's back, preventing it from causing harm.
Why is the Japanese Covered Bridge so unique?
Image by Vietnam Budget Car rental
3.1 Architecture
Even though its initial architecture was originally Japanese style, after being under restoration many times, it now has three diverse features among Japanese, Vietnamese, and Chinese.
The wooden pagoda had the house's upper part and the bridge's lower part, and its foundation was made of stone pillars.
The stunning curved 'yin yang' roof covers every meter of the bridge, and the main door has a large sign with 3 Chinese characters, ' Lai Vien Kieu.' Besides, the Japanese Covered Bridge in Hoian stands out firmly with the standing animal statue - the two majestic mascots Dog and Monkey.
This marks the completion of the construction work in the year of the Money till the year of the Dog.
3.2 A pagoda but no Buddha
A fun fact about this pagoda is that it does not worship Buddha-like other temples. The temple inside worships the guardian god of the country, who brings happiness and richness to people, Bac De Tran Vo.
Therefore, the Japanese Covered Bridge is a renowned sightseeing destination and a religious place where various tourists and locals come to make a wish and pray for fortune in their daily lives.
3.3 Its image is on Vietnamese currency
If you take your 20,000 VND cash and have a look at it, do you recognize anything special? The idea of Hoian's Japanese Covered Bridge was printed on the back of a 20,000 VND banknote, enhancing this relic's importance. So don't hesitate to take the banknote out and take a selfie with it!
How to get to Hoi An from Danang?
Image by Vietnam Budget Car rental
4.1 Location
The Japanese Covered Bridge is currently located across a small creek of the Hoai River, a connection between Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and Tran Phu streets in Hoian Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province.
Address: 186 Tran Phu Street, Hoi An Old Town
Time open: 24hrs (including holidays)
Ticket: free of charge
4.2 How to get to Hoian by train/ plane/ motorcycle/ taxi?
Train: If you start your journey from Ho Chi Minh City or Ha Noi to Da Nang train station, it takes you quite a long time, between 15-20 hours, and the price will depend on which tickets you want to buy, and after that you can book a taxi to Hoi An town.
Plane: It is mainly recommended to transport during your journey. It takes only 1 or 2 hours to fly you to Da Nang airport and saves a lot of time.
Taxi: If you take a taxi from Da Nang City, it will cost you 200,000 VND. But it would be best to ask them first, or you can be easily scammed.
Motorcycle: With 30 kilometers of Da Nang City, you can hire a bike and travel along the beach roadway with your friends. This way is easier for you to travel around this small town.
Unfortunately, there is no public bus between Da Nang City and Hoi An Town, so you can not find any of them.
Direction from Da Nang City to Hoian Town
There are two main roadways from Da Nang City to Hoian Ancient Town:
Tran Hung Dao Street - Tran Thu Do Street -Nguyen Tat Thanh Street (directly to the center of Hoian, 30km).
Read more: Chan May port to Hoian all things you need to know before traveling
Beach entry: If you follow Au Co Street, you will come across An Bang Beach, then turn right, follow Hai Ba Trung Street, go straight ahead around 4 kilometers, and get into the center of Hoian Ancient Town.
4.3 When to visit Hoian & Essentials to pack
The best time to visit Hoian is also very considerate to plan when to stay here! There are two common seasons from February to August that we suggest for you:
February - April: It is the beginning of Spring, cooling weather, not too sunny, and little rain. Visit Hoian at this time is the best idea! Remember to wear colorful clothes, dresses, or shorts, which will be comfortable!
May-August: Summertime is coming! You will be surprised by a bunch of tourists, foreign and domestic coming here in the summer. However, remember to bring your coach, umbrella, and sunscreen because this duration is the hottest and can get you sunburned.
September - January: You should not visit here during this time because prolonged rains will hinder tourist activities.
4.4 How much time should you spend in Hoian?
It depends on your traveling demand. If you want to spend a long holiday in Hoian, enjoy the peace of the quiet ancient town, around one week will be appropriate for your pocket!
Otherwise, 2 or 3 days are ideal for your trip plan to save money for the next exciting destination in Vietnam.
4.5 Food & Drinks in Hoian
Image by Vietnam Budget Car rental
Quang Noodle is one of the iconic specialties in Hoian. You will never forget the rich sauce, the soft and chewy noodles, the well-cooked shrimp, and the richness of the quail egg.
Quang Noodle Mr.Hai
Location: 6A Truong Minh Luong Street, Hoian, Vietnam
Time: 7.30 am to 9.30 every day (including holidays)
Cao Lau is one of the unique dishes for tourists' foodie souls. It would be best if you remembered to try this food when you have a chance to come here.
Read more: Top 10 of best seafood restaurants in Danang
Cao Lau Thanh restaurants
Location: 26 Thai Phien Street, Hoian, Vietnam.
Time: 7 am to 7 pm every day (including holidays)
White Rose dumpling ( bánh bao bánh vạc) is the 1-0-2 regional specialty in Hoian Ancient town that will blow your minds with the combination of two cuisine cultures - Vietnamese and Chinese.
Bong Hong Trang Restaurant
Location: 533 Hai Ba Trung Street, Hoi An, Vietnam
Time: 7h30am - 8h30pm every day (including holidays)
New Updates
The project to restore the Cau Pagoda relic has been under construction since December 28, 2022. The plan and progress of the project to renovate it is 360 days ( from December 2022 to November 2023).
The investor is the People's Committee of Hoi An Town, and the Hoi An Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation Center is the unit assigned to manage and organize the implementation of this project.
