"Prenley" is the name the French army used for the Muong Thanh Bridge, a military structure located in the central sector of the Dien Bien Phu fortified complex. The bridge's construction materials were sourced from France and transported to Dien Bien Phu for assembly. The bridge is 40 meters long and 5 meters wide, with simple iron support beams on either side and no central piers. The deck is made of wood, and underneath are sturdy iron beams connected to each other, ensuring a load capacity of 15 to 18 tons. This was the only iron bridge built by the French across the Nam Rom River at the time, a vital transportation artery connecting the strongholds west of the Nam Rom River with the eastern high points of the Dien Bien Phu fortified complex. It served as a route for transporting food, materials, ammunition, and barbed wire for the construction of defensive positions in the eastern area. This place was once the site of an extremely fierce battle between the Vietnamese Army and the French Expeditionary Force. The bridge has witnessed countless sacrifices and bloodshed on both sides, with thousands of people falling here.
Muong Thanh Bridge - Dien Bien Province
Muong Thanh Bridge, connecting the two banks of the Nam Rom River, is a "witness" that has seen the historic moment of May 7, 1954, and the many ups and downs of the people of Dien Bien over the past 65 years.
Việt Nam•28/11/2025On the afternoon of May 7, 1954, in the triumphant spirit of victory, the soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army marched across the Muong Thanh Bridge, advancing straight into the Command Headquarters of the Dien Bien Phu fortified complex. This marked the complete collapse of colonialism at Dien Bien Phu. The Muong Thanh Bridge, a makeshift bridge built by the French across the Nam Rom River, ultimately became the means of transporting our troops in their offensive, planting the flag of decisive victory on top of General De Castries' bunker.
The bridge spans the tranquil Nam Rom River, flowing peacefully for many years. While Dien Bien province has built many new, more spacious and sturdy bridges to facilitate travel for people on both sides, the Muong Thanh Bridge remains, having been renovated to ensure the safety of locals and tourists. The Muong Thanh Bridge holds profound spiritual and historical value. It is a testament to history, witnessing the most painful yet heroic events of the past, and now stands as a reminder to future generations of a glorious era of our ancestors – a time to remember.
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Dancing and singing during the water festival (Bun Huot Nam) of the Lao people.
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