Names of Bridges

In Vietnamese culture, Dragon Bridge (Cầu Rồng) stands as a powerful symbol of authority, luck, and prosperity. While it’s widely known, two neighboring bridges south deserve equal attention—even if their names date back to a tragic and brutal history. Sitting side by side, one is the quiet, decommissioned Nguyễn Văn Trỗi Bridge, while the other is the busy Trần Thị Lý Bridge, constantly alive with motorbikes and traffic.

The decommissioned bridge honors Nguyễn Văn Trỗi, a young electrician and member of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam (NLF). He was convicted and executed by firing squad by the Republic of Vietnam after attempting to assassinate U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara during McNamara’s 1964 visit. Following his death, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam hailed him as a revolutionary martyr, commemorating his image on stamps, monuments, and educational materials. His name was subsequently given to streets, schools, and public landmarks across Vietnam. Here in Đà Nẵng, the Nguyễn Văn Trỗi Bridge spans the Hàn River.

The second bridge has the name of Trần Thị Lý, a member of the Vietnamese Communist Party who endured severe imprisonment and torture in Saigon. While working as a liaison officer for the People's Army of Vietnam, she was arrested during her commute in 1956 by South Vietnamese forces. After many years of torture, she was abandoned in the street and left for dead. When rescuers finally recovered her and brought her to the Soviet Friendship Hospital in Hanoi, she weighed 26 kg (57 lbs). In 1992, she was honored with the Hero of the People's Armed Forces medal, passing away shortly after. Today, the Trần Thị Lý Bridge serves as a lasting tribute to her endurance and sacrifice.