In the center of the ancient town of Hoi An, there is a small bridge that everyone must take at least one photo of: the Covered Bridge – also known as Lai Viễn Kiều, Japanese Bridge. Built by Japanese merchants in the early 17th century to connect with the Chinese quarter, the bridge has passed through more than 400 years of history and has become a symbol printed on the 20,000 Vietnamese dong banknote.

The Covered Bridge is only 18 meters long but contains the entire story of East Asian culture. The curved yin-yang roof features distinctive Japanese architecture; inside, it worships Bắc Đế Trấn Vũ according to the beliefs of the Chinese people; at both ends of the bridge are wooden statues of a monkey and a dog – symbols of the year of construction and the year of completion. Overall, it creates a unique intersection in Southeast Asia.

After a large-scale restoration completed at the end of 2024, the Covered Bridge returns with its original reddish-brown paint, instead of the controversial pink tone. The wooden planks have been reinforced, and the roof has been re-thatched using traditional techniques, preserving the ancient dragon and phoenix carvings. Today, the bridge is only for pedestrians, and crossing it feels like stepping into a scene from a historical film.

Tip: the morning from 6 am to 8 am is the time with the fewest visitors, with golden sunlight shining across the railing for the best photos; in the evening after 6:30 pm, the lanterns on both sides of the canal light up, turning the Covered Bridge into a shimmering frame. The entrance fee for the ancient town is 120,000 dong/person, which includes the Covered Bridge and the old assembly halls. Combine your visit with the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall and the ancient Tan Ky house nearby to learn more about the life of the old trading port. Just a short bridge, but walking on it, the heart suddenly slows down – that is what Hoi An always offers to visitors.