Saigon River footbridge span joined; 3,400-tonne shipment included temporary supports

The main structure of the Saigon River pedestrian bridge linking central Ho Chi Minh City with Thu Thiem was joined on October 21.

This is a construction milestone, not an opening; the roughly 3,400-tonne transported assembly included both the steel arch and temporary supports.

A large factory assembly travelled by water

Contractor DaiDung said the barge carrying the main span reached the site on October 19 after a 124-km water journey from its Vung Tau fabrication yard. It describes its main steel arch as 187 metres long and more than 20 metres high. The length belongs to that arch section, not the whole bridge. Likewise, the shipment’s weight is not the weight of the finished bridge.

Placing the structure was a separate operation

The span had to be positioned precisely between the riverbanks. The contractor’s sequence included releasing restraints, rotating and approaching with the barge, alignment, load transfer and joining. Thanh Nien’s October 21 account from the site describes cable adjustments and barge ballast operations to bring the span into position. Transporting an assembly by water and connecting it to the permanent structure are distinct stages.

A visible connection is not pedestrian access

Deck surfaces, lighting, railings and adjoining spaces still require completion. A report of joining therefore does not mean a walking route is open. Sources give different times for overnight work, the morning ceremony and subsequent operations. This article does not select one as an exact completion time; the common verified point is the October 21 structural connection.

The next milestone is an access announcement

The nipa-palm-leaf-inspired bridge aims to add public walking space between Bach Dang and Thu Thiem. Better access and tourism benefits remain project expectations, not measured outcomes. Actual use depends on finishing work, checks, acceptance procedures and an official opening notice. There is no reason to enter the construction area to check the connection personally.

Primary sources and independent checks

Primary: contractor’s October 19 transport and installation plan. Roughly 3,400 tonnes includes arch and temporary supports; promotional performance claims are excluded: DaiDung · barge arrival and installation sequence

Independent check: site photographs, event statements and operational account establish joining and remaining finishing work; inconsistent detailed timings are not resolved by assumption: Thanh Niên · October 21 site account

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