Crossing the bridges

Having traveled through countless streets and neighborhoods in Nha Trang, Tran Phu Bridge has always held a special place in my heart. Every time I think of this place, I picture myself waking up early in the morning, jogging on Tran Phu Bridge amidst the lingering mist over the Cai River, listening to the gentle lapping of the waves beneath the bridge like a whispered confession from the city.

The Tran Phu Bridge spans the Cai River estuary, like a breath connecting the two banks of a coastal city that embodies both land and ocean. Though not bearing the dust of centuries past, standing here, one can still feel the enduring continuity of Nha Trang, both old and modern. Through countless seasons of sun and wind, this sturdy and elegant bridge silently connects two shores of life and distant memories.

Photo: THUY DUONG

I still maintain the habit of jogging across this bridge at dawn. Initially, my legs eagerly move in rhythm with my breath, my ears listening to the wind rustling through my hair and the car horns echoing from the distant streets. But halfway across the bridge, my pace unconsciously slows down, then stops completely. It's not because my legs are tired, but because the ethereal beauty of the seascape gently captivates my mind, making me reluctant to continue. Looking towards the river mouth, fishing boats lie silently anchored, their oars resting against the sides, still clinging to nets damp with dew. In the pristine morning light, a thin mist hovers over the water, mingling with the delicate wisps of smoke rising from the fishing village on the north bank. Here, the rhythm of life begins silently while the city is still half-asleep, gently and patiently, before the dawn awakens the town.

On the other side is the sea. Nha Trang's sea stretches out vast and boundless, a boundless blue so deep that it's impossible to distinguish where the water meets the sky. Standing on the bridge, gazing out at the distant horizon, I suddenly feel half my soul left behind in the city, the other half drifting away with the waves. The wind on the bridge is always more invigorating than in the city. It carries the distinctive salty taste of the ocean – a gentle saltiness, not harsh, just enough to remind me that I'm standing very close to the breath of the blue sea. On those early mornings, I often stop, place my hands on the bridge railing, and take a deep breath. The wind rushes in, whipping against my face, tossing my hair, and inadvertently sweeping away any lingering worries in my heart.

Photo: THUY DUONG

Whenever I slowly cross the bridge, I often look down at the water flowing endlessly. The river flows into the sea, carrying with it changing hues with each season: sometimes crystal clear blue, sometimes reddish-brown with silt after heavy rains from upstream. Below the bridge, a few small boats hum with the sound of their engines, the crisp roar echoing in the still-quiet space. The boatmen glide along, without needing to look up, perhaps because they know every span of the bridge by heart.

Nha Trang at night has no shortage of dazzling places, but for me, Tran Phu Bridge still holds a unique beauty. Rows of streetlights strung along the bridge cast shimmering golden streaks of light onto the water, like a connecting link illuminating the realms of reality and illusion. On the open sea, the lights from anchored ships twinkle like falling stars; on the river, the darkness seems quieter, with only the sound of water lapping against the boats and the distant chirping of insects. On nights like these, I like to stand still on the bridge, just watching. Watching the lights shimmer on the water, the brightly lit streets behind me, and the deep, dark sea ahead. That moment of harmony is like a quiet pause for me to reflect on myself amidst the vastness.

Photo: GC

After years of wandering and crossing countless magnificent bridges in major cities, only upon returning and stepping onto the Tran Phu Bridge did I truly feel a sense of belonging. Not because the bridge is bigger or more beautiful, but because it carries the salty scent of the sea breeze, the murmuring sounds of fishing boats, and the rows of yellow lights that patiently cast their reflections on the river of memories – a place where a part of my soul is anchored in the heart of this coastal city.

The Tran Phu Bridge is more than just connecting two banks. For those deeply attached to Nha Trang, it's also a bridge linking the past with the present. Each time I run across it and then slow down, taking a deep breath of the salty sea air, I know I'm not just crossing a bridge. I'm touching memories, and I'm truly returning home.

EMPRESS TANG

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/van-hoa/nhung-goc-pho-nhung-con-duong/202604/di-qua-nhung-nhip-cau-0ef24d2/