A bridge preserving the soul of Hue's homeland.

A woman in a purple Hue-style ao dai dress by Thanh Toan tiled bridge. Photo: MTA

Located about 8km from the center of Hue city, Thanh Toan tiled-roof bridge is situated in Thanh Thuy Chanh village. To date, the bridge has existed for 250 years. That's a relatively long time for a structure with a wooden frame and tiled roof in the style of "house on top, bridge underneath."

The Thanh Toan tiled bridge, built of ironwood, spans a canal. The entire bridge spans seven sections, showcasing a distinctive artistic style from the reign of King Le Hien Tong.

The folk song, "Whoever goes to Thanh Toan tiled bridge/ Let me go with a group to have fun," is an invitation for visitors from all over to immerse themselves in this peaceful place. At both ends of the bridge, the lush canopy of ancient trees provides shade for souls seeking to rediscover the flavors of the countryside. As the first rays of dawn appear, the glazed tile roofs shimmer with a radiant glow.

The rural setting is made even more picturesque by the village market located just a few dozen meters from the tiled bridge. Maintaining their simple way of life, the villagers bring their homemade products to the market. From sticky rice, rice paper, and melons... to clam rice, clam noodles, and rice noodle soup, everything is available there. Perhaps because it's so familiar, even when far away, generations of people from Thanh Thuy Chanh always remember the atmosphere of their small hometown market.

For hundreds of years, the Nhu Y River has embraced Thanh Thuy Chanh village like an integral part of its being. The Nhu Y River is considered a "gift from heaven," carrying countless drops of alluvial soil along its course. And the Thanh Toan tiled bridge has received these quintessential gifts from nature.

After each flood, the grass at both ends of the bridge becomes even greener. In the summer, the village children excitedly call out to each other to play on the grass. In the children's minds, it's simply a place for fun and games. The generations who have grown up will understand and love that green patch of grass even more.

In Thanh Thuy Chanh, there's a humorous saying: if you can't find the children at home at lunchtime, go to the Thanh Toan tiled bridge. Through countless ups and downs, the tiled bridge has served as an invisible thread, connecting the villagers.

Children, adults, and even elderly people all love this place. The image of the elderly sitting by the bridge railing, fanning themselves with paper fans and chatting peacefully is truly heartwarming. Each story, though rambling and disjointed, is a collection of memories and fragments of a lifetime.

As smaller groups of tourists began visiting Thanh Toan tiled bridge, professional tour routes emerged. The cluster of three historical sites, including Thanh Toan tiled bridge, Van The village communal house, and Ton That Thuyet shrine, was included as a stopover point in the community tourism project.

This direction is gradually transforming the economic landscape of Thanh Thuy Chanh from agriculture to services. From the Thanh Toan tiled bridge, we can easily gaze out over the vast rice fields of Thanh Thuy Chanh. When the sun is at its zenith, a gentle breeze from the sea blows in, as if embracing each person in the village, simple and full of peace.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/nhip-cau-giu-hon-que-xu-hue-3336913.html