The Dragon Bridge (Cầu Rồng) is the most iconic and internationally recognized landmark of Da Nang, Vietnam. Spanning the Han River, this architectural marvel is not only a critical piece of the city’s infrastructure but also a major tourist attraction, famed for its unique dragon-shaped design. The bridge’s highlight is its weekend fire and water breathing show, a spectacular performance that draws thousands of spectators. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the bridge, the show, and the best vantage points for an unforgettable experience.
Overview of the Dragon Bridge
The dragon is a very important and sacred symbol in Vietnamese culture. It represents power, nobility, and good fortune. The Dragon Bridge was designed by the Ammann & Whitney Consulting Engineers firm from the United States. This bridge, which opened in 2013 to celebrate the 38th anniversary of the city’s liberation, was designed to look like a dragon from our ancient Ly Dynasty. It is a powerful symbol of Da Nang’s ambition and its journey into the future. It is not just a bridge; it is a work of art and a source of great pride for Da Nang city.
Where is the Dragon Bridge?
You will find the magnificent Dragon Bridge right in the spectacular heart of our vibrant city, Da Nang. It gracefully spans our mighty Han River, and you can’t miss it—it’s like a giant golden guardian watching over the city.
Its location is absolutely perfect because it acts as a gateway to so many of our other treasures. From the bridge, you are just a short journey away from the beautiful, winding roads of the Son Tra Peninsula (our Monkey Mountain) and the serene, breathtaking Linh Ung Pagoda with its giant Lady Buddha statue. And on the city side, it leads you right to the bustling riverfront and all the best cafes and restaurants. It is truly the beautiful, fiery centerpiece from which all your Da Nang adventures can begin!
Architect of Dragon Bridge in Da Nang
The Dragon Bridge is a massive bridge, stretching over 666 meters long, with its golden dragon body undulating gracefully all the way across the river. It was a huge and very proud project for our city, costing over 1.5 trillion VND to build.
But you must look closely at the details! The dragon’s tail, for example, is beautifully designed to look like a blooming lotus flower, a very important symbol of purity in our culture. And at night, the real magic happens. The entire dragon is lit up by over 15,000 colourful LED lights that are constantly changing, making the bridge shimmer and glow against the dark water. It is a truly spectacular and dazzling sight that you will want to take many, many photos of!
Here’re the characteristics of the Dragon Bridge in Vietnam:
- Material: Steel
- Total length: 666 meters (2,185 ft)
- Width: 37.5 meters (123 ft)
- Longest span: 200 meters (660 ft)
- Clearance below: 7 meters (23 ft)
READ MORE: Your perfect Golden Bridge Vietnam guide for Indian tourists.
The Dragon Bridge fire show
This is the moment everyone waits for! On the weekend, the dragon’s head, which faces the sea, puts on an incredible performance.
The show starts with the dragon’s head breathing real, powerful plumes of fire into the night sky. It’s an incredible sight, and you can feel the heat even from a distance! After the fire-breathing, the dragon then changes and starts to spray powerful jets of water from its mouth, creating a fine, misty cloud that is very refreshing on a warm evening.
It’s a short but spectacular show, lasting about 15 minutes. The atmosphere is electric, with thousands of locals and tourists gathering together in excitement. It’s a wonderful, joyful, and very family-friendly event.
The Dragon Bridge Fire show timings
This is the most crucial piece of information for your planning. Please remember this!
- The show only happens on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights.
- The time is always 9:00 PM (21:00).
- The show happens on public holidays as well.
Advice: If your trip to Da Nang includes a weekend, you absolutely must plan your evening around this show. It is a truly unique and unforgettable experience.
The best viewing spots for the Dragon Bridge show
You have several fantastic options to watch the show, depending on the experience you want.
Right on the Bridge Itself (The “Up-Close” Experience)
For the most thrilling and immersive experience, you can stand right on the bridge. The police will stop all traffic a few minutes before the show starts, so you can walk onto the road.
You will be very close to the dragon’s head! When it breathes fire, you will feel the heat. When it sprays water, you will get wet! It’s a very fine mist, like a heavy fog, and many people, especially kids, find it very fun and refreshing.
The Riverbank on Bach Dang Street (The “Classic” View)
This is the most popular spot. The beautiful, wide promenade along the river offers a fantastic, direct view of the dragon’s head.
You will be joined by hundreds of happy local families and tourists. It’s a wonderful, festive atmosphere. You are far enough away to get great photos of the whole dragon and the fire, and you won’t get wet.
From a Rooftop Bar (The “Glamorous” View)
For a more sophisticated and comfortable experience, you can watch from one of the many rooftop bars in the hotels near the bridge.
You can enjoy a delicious cocktail with a stunning, panoramic view of the bridge and the city skyline. It’s a very glamorous and relaxing way to see the show from above.
From a Han River Cruise Boat (The “Magical” View)
This is our personal favorite and a truly special experience. You can take a relaxing cruise on the Han River, and the boat captain will position the boat perfectly on the water for a magical view of the show.
Seeing the fire and water reflected on the river’s surface, with the sparkling city lights all around you, is a completely different and incredibly beautiful experience.
Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF)
If you are very lucky and plan your trip for our summer, you might get to see the Dragon Bridge during its most spectacular time of all: the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival! This is when Da Nang city truly shines. Teams from all over the world come to compete, and they turn our night sky into a breathtaking canvas of colour and light.
And the magnificent Dragon Bridge is right at the heart of it all, acting as the perfect, golden centerpiece for the show. Imagine seeing those spectacular fireworks exploding right above the glowing dragon, with the vibrant reflections dancing on the water below—it is a sight that is pure magic and will leave you completely in awe. During the festival, the whole city is filled with a wonderful, joyful energy, and it’s a moment of great pride for all of us in Da Nang. It is, without a doubt, the most unforgettable time to be here.
Conclusion
Dragon Bridge in Da Nang is more than just an architectural marvel; it is the living, breathing, fiery soul of our city. Its weekly spectacle is a proud, joyful celebration that brings our entire community together. Watching this magnificent golden dragon come to life against the night sky is not just a tourist activity, it is a chance to feel the vibrant, modern, and powerful spirit of Da Nang. It is an experience that will truly light up your holiday.
