Students in La Khe Trem face difficulties because they have to take a longer route to school along a muddy, narrow road.

The longer the journey, the greater the worry.

In the pouring rain, we walked with Ms. Vo Thi Thu Hong, a resident of La Khe Trem neighborhood, along the small dirt road running alongside the Ta Trach River – where the pontoon bridge had stood for 12 years. The bridge used to be a familiar link for residents crossing to Thuy Xuan to go to Tuan Market and to drop off and pick up their children at Thuy Bang Primary and Secondary School.

“Now the bridge has been swept away by the flood. The road ahead is muddy, and students cycling home with their pants rolled up have mud clinging to their wheels. You see, it’s so inconvenient without the pontoon bridge. Since the bridge disappeared, children going to school or women going to the market have to detour to Huu Trach Bridge, then follow the road to Minh Mang Mausoleum to cross Tuan Bridge to the other side. The distance has increased by more than 4km. Not only is it far, but crossing Tuan Bridge is very dangerous,” Mrs. Hong lamented.

Indeed, as we crossed the bridge, trucks and buses rumbled along in a continuous stream. For the children, that route is a nightmare. Previously, children from La Khe Trem, Dinh Mon, and Kim Ngoc could ride their bicycles across the pontoon bridge on their own, saving their parents the trouble. Now it's different; many parents have to take their children across the bridge four times a day because, "I'm very worried about letting the children ride their bikes across the Tuan Bridge on their own. It would be great if there were a sturdy bridge, but for now, the people just hope the pontoon bridge will be operational again soon," Mrs. Hong expressed.

According to Mr. Le Tuan Vinh, Vice Chairman of the Kim Long Ward People's Committee, the La Khe Trem pontoon bridge has been in operation since 2013. Although not a permanent structure, for the past 12 years, this bridge has played a crucial role in the lives of the local people. While absolute safety cannot be guaranteed for the pontoon bridge, its absence would be very disadvantageous for the residents.

In late September 2025, the ward worked with relevant departments and the investor. Inspection revealed that the bridge was licensed and operating in accordance with regulations, and had been inspected multiple times by the Department of Transport, the Vietnam Register, and the waterway police. The ward requested the investor to ensure absolute safety during operation, to refrain from using the bridge during the rainy season, and to cooperate with regular inspections. Simultaneously, they requested the Department of Construction to provide guidance on the inspection and maintenance procedures and to assume overall responsibility, as the bridge is located between the Kim Long and Thuy Xuan districts.

Necessary, but must be absolutely safe.

Mr. Vo Duc Hai, representing the investor, said that previously, more than 1,000 people crossed the pontoon bridge every day. This side is like an isolated island; going around via Huu Trach bridge is too far, and going via Tuan bridge is dangerous. The recent flood swept away about 40% of the pontoon bridge's equipment, with the rest still anchored. The investor hopes to receive support to reinvest and restore the pontoon bridge to serve the people.

According to the Vice Chairman of the Kim Long Ward People's Committee, about 540m upstream from the old pontoon bridge, a permanent bridge connecting Kim Long with Thuy Xuan has been planned. Investing in the bridge soon is necessary, especially after the incident where the pontoon bridge was swept away by floods.

"In the absence of resources for building permanent bridges, pontoon bridges remain an effective solution," Mr. Vinh stated. However, he emphasized that operation must be subject to regular inspections and checks by a designated unit and must not be neglected. Since the bridge spans two different districts, Mr. Vinh believes that the provincial department should be the managing authority to ensure consistency.

"The local government's greatest aspiration is to have a sturdy bridge so that people can travel safely," Mr. Vinh said. The bridge would not only facilitate travel but also create socio -economic connections between the two areas. The ward requests that the Hue City People's Committee allocate funds for investment according to the plan.

Standing on the path leading to the remaining pontoon bridge, Mrs. Hong looked across the river, where the roof of Thuy Bang Primary School was dimly visible in the rain. It was just a small bridge, but for the people of La Khe Trem, it represented their entire livelihood and the safety of their children on their way to school every day. “The people just want a bridge to make things easier. Hearing about the plan for a new bridge, the villagers are very happy. They eagerly await the day they can cross safely,” she said.

The Ta Trach River still flows, carrying with it the anxieties of the people after the flood season. And they are still waiting for a bridge, whether a pontoon or a solid one, to reconnect the lives of the two banks.

Text and photos: LIEN MINH

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/chinh-polit-xa-hoi/la-khe-trem-mong-mot-nhip-cau-160245.html