The barrier across this pedestrian bridge is a section of dry bamboo that is adjusted up and down by a man wearing flip-flops and shorts. Motorcyclists and car drivers passing by slowly stop and give the barrier guard 2,000 or 10,000 dong. Perhaps that's why, for many people in Hung Yen today, the Dun Bridge is also known as the Dun BOT Bridge.
According to documents still preserved at the People's Committee of Than Khe commune, stemming from the need for transportation and goods exchange of the people of Chi Lang commune, neighboring communes of Hung Ha district and the people of Minh Tan commune, Dong Hung district (formerly Thai Binh province), since 2004, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Riec, Tan Tien village (formerly Chi Lang commune, now Than Khe commune, Hung Yen province) boldly submitted an application to Chi Lang commune and Minh Tan commune, Dong Hung district (now Tien Hung commune, Hung Yen province) to invest 100% of the capital to build the Dun bridge to replace the Dun ferry to serve the people.
With the approval of the competent authorities, the design and overall cost estimate for the Dun Bridge project were prepared and construction was carried out over two years, 2006-2007. The project had a total investment of over 800 million VND. The Dun Bridge has a maximum load capacity of 5 tons, a length of over 60 m, a width of over 3 m, and is a composite steel girder bridge with reinforced concrete slab, constructed by Thai Binh Transportation Construction Joint Stock Company.
After completion, Mr. Riệc applied for permission to collect tolls from vehicles crossing the Đún Bridge to recover his construction costs. Chi Lăng Commune and the People's Committee of Hưng Hà District agreed and submitted the application to the Provincial People's Committee, the Department of Finance, and the Provincial Tax Department of Thái Bình Province for permission to collect tolls, specifying the permitted collection period and Mr. Riệc's obligations to the State. At that time, Thái Bình Province issued a specific toll rate framework. Mr. Riệc and the commune authorities signed a contract for the management, operation, and toll collection of the Đún Bridge, with a term not exceeding 30 years...
Nguyen Dinh Thiet, 60, a resident of Than Khe commune who frequently crosses the Dun Bridge to go to the market and sell goods, said that previously, crossing the bridge by ferry was very inconvenient. Later, a local family built the bridge, making things more convenient, but the current traffic situation on the bridge is still problematic. Of course, the toll is to recoup the cost of building the bridge, but with traffic in society now being so open, this toll collection continues. Mr. Thiet hopes the government will consider and provide support to make crossing the bridge more convenient for the people.
Mr. Do Trong Nghia, Head of Tan Tien village (Than Khe commune), also stated that the bridge has been very convenient for the people since 2008. However, in recent years, with social development, the province and the central government should consider supporting and liquidating the bridge with the investor so that they no longer collect tolls, making it easier for people to cross. The people here mainly work in agriculture, and their economy is still very difficult, yet each time a motorbike crosses the bridge, it costs 2,000 VND, and a car costs 10,000 VND. Some people have to cross this bridge 3-4 times a day to take their children to school, to work at the factory, or to the market.
Regarding this issue, the Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Than Khe commune, Nguyen Anh Tuan, said that during meetings with voters, local residents have repeatedly expressed their concerns, saying that in this day and age, tolls are still being charged to poor people crossing the pedestrian bridge... Currently, Than Khe commune is striving to complete the dike-side road as soon as possible. This is the main road connecting Hung Ha commune with Bac Tien Hung and Than Khe communes. To the east, Than Khe commune borders Tien Hung and Bac Tien Hung communes, and the current transportation needs of the people are not yet met.
To connect the region, the commune hopes and proposes that the province consider investing in a bridge connecting the two neighboring communes, ensuring sufficient scale and traffic capacity to meet the needs of travel, exchange, and trade for the people of Than Khe and Tien Hung communes. Than Khe is also a commune with many thriving craft villages, resulting in a high demand for transportation. Since the construction of the road along the dike, the demand for car travel has increased significantly. With this connecting bridge, Than Khe commune will be a breakthrough point for economic development among its people.
Recently, during working sessions of the No. 4 Task Force of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee with wards and communes in the province, the leaders of Than Khe and Tien Hung communes reported on the Dun BOT bridge. This bridge no longer meets the increasing traffic volume and load capacity from Than Khe, Tien Hung, and Bac Tien Hung communes, which are located in the central part of the province.
Chairman of the People's Committee of Hung Yen province, Nguyen Manh Quyen, emphasized the importance of this issue, stating that Hung Yen should not allow the situation to persist like that of a remote area. He directed the two communes and the Hung Yen Provincial Department of Construction to review and inspect the entire matter. The Hung Yen Provincial Department of Finance is tasked with considering and allocating funds to the communes to develop a plan to facilitate convenient access to the Dun Bridge for local residents.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/van-de-quan-tam/chuyen-cau-dun-bot-o-hung-yen-20260615125752570.htm
