"400 Years of Secrets: The Untold Story of Hoi An’s Japanese Bridge"

Hidden in the heart of Hoi An Ancient Town—where lanterns illuminate timeless alleys and time itself seems to stand still—lies a small wooden bridge full of mystical power. This is the Japanese Covered Bridge, a timeless symbol that has silently witnessed over “400 years” of transformation in this land. More than just a famous check-in spot, this bridge holds secrets, legends, and memories that few truly know.

✅Have you ever truly heard the voice of Hoi An’s history?Let’s Amigos Travel guide you on this journey of discovery!

The Bridge That Connects Two Worlds

Japanese Covered Bridge, also known as Lai Vien Kieu—meaning "the bridge that welcomes travelers from afar"—was named by Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu in 1719 during his visit to Hoi An. However, this unique bridge had already stood in the town for decades, built by the Japanese merchant community around the early 17th century during their trading days in Hoi An.

More than just a wooden bridge crossing a small canal flowing into the Thu Bon River, Japanese Covered Bridge is a sacred intersection of three cultures: Vietnamese – Japanese – Chinese. Here, diverse communities, despite differences in language, beliefs, and customs, lived together, traded, shared values, and created a golden era of commerce in Southeast Asia.

Behind its quiet and graceful appearance, the bridge carries deeper meaning - it connects not only the riverbanks but also cultures, beliefs, and even the memories of time. It stands as an eternal symbol of harmony, where every step taken whispers tales of the past.

✅Seeking a place to touch the past and feel the blending of cultures? The Japanese Bridge is your answer. Let’s Amigos Travel take you there.

The Legend of Namazu – The Earth Dragon and the Sacred Seal

Few know that the Japanese Bridge isn’t just a site of trade and connection—it’s also tied to a sacred Japanese legend: the tale of Namazu, the Earth Dragon. Ancient Japanese believed that beneath the ground lived a giant catfish-like creature called Namazu. Whenever it moved, earthquakes and natural disasters would follow.

Legend has it that Japanese Bridge was built on a critical dragon vein, acting like a sword piercing Namazu’s back to pin it down and prevent disasters—thus protecting Hoi An and preserving its prosperity. Perhaps for this reason, the bridge is not just a structure—it’s a protective talisman for the entire ancient town.

✅Do you believe in ancient legends? Come uncover the truth behind every brick and tile with Amigos Travel.

Why Does the Japanese Bridge Still Hold Its Value?

In a world that grows faster and more modern each day, Japanese Bridge reminds us that true strength lies in stillness, beauty in simplicity, and sometimes, a small wooden bridge can carry the soul of an entire city.

Its enduring legacy stems from its rare and intricate architecture - crafted entirely without nails, using traditional wooden joinery. Japanese Bridge is a masterpiece of cultural fusion: the structure and technique from Japan; curved tiled roofs and dragon-phoenix decorations from China; while its name and worship practices are distinctly Vietnamese.

 

Made of precious lim wood, with brick and stone pillars, the bridge arches over a small canal connected to the Thu Bon River. Its yin-yang tiled roof balances spiritual energy while offering shade and protection. The woodwork is finely carved with motifs of dragons, clouds, and flowers—all imbued with Eastern symbolism. At both ends stand statues of a dog and a monkey—not only for spiritual protection but also said to represent the years 1593 (Year of the Monkey) and 1595 (Year of the Dog)—when the bridge was likely started and completed.

 

At the bridge’s center is a small shrine to the Black Tortoise Deity (Huyen Thien Dai De)—a guardian deity from the North, believed to bring peace and balance. Though called a “temple”,  the bridge has no Buddha statues, no bells, no incense—only a serene space for reflection and prayer.

Preserving the Soul of a Heritage – Restoration Through the Ages:

 

 

Despite standing for over 400 years, the Japanese Bridge has retained its original structure thanks to careful restorations over the centuries:

• 1653: First reinforcement by Hoi An authorities due to damage from the humid climate.

• 1719: Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu visited and inscribed the name Lai Vien Kieu on the bridge’s gate, marking official recognition.

• 19th century: Minor repairs to the roof and shrines by the Nguyen dynasty.

• 1986 & 1996: With help from the government and UNESCO, significant restorations were carried out—roof tiles replaced, carvings renewed, and wooden supports reinforced.

• 2021–2023: The largest restoration project to date, with Amigo Travel accompanying international visitors to witness and record the heritage preservation journey told by Hoi An’s locals.

Each restoration is not just about materials—it’s a mission to safeguard the spirit, identity, and memory of a city once at the heart of Southeast Asia’s trade and culture.

✅If you visit Hoi An, don’t just walk across. Pause Japanese Covered Bridge, take a deep breath, and observe each aged wooden beam, each moss-covered tile. Who knows—you might hear a 400-year-old secret whisper to you.

A National Cultural Icon in the Heart of the Ancient Town

In 1990, the Japanese Bridge was officially recognized as a National Historic and Cultural Site. Its image is proudly printed on Vietnam’s 20,000 VND polymer banknote—a testament to the bridge’s immense cultural significance.

Yet beyond its fame, the bridge retains its quiet grace. Though only about 18 meters long, every step you take bridges the gap between past and present, tradition and modernity. International visitors often refer to it as the Japanese Covered Bridge—a must-visit landmark in Vietnam.

✅Have you ever crossed a bridge where time seemed to stand still? Japanese Bridge offers just that—and more!

Touch the Soul of the Ancient Town with Amigos Travel

Amigos Travel proudly offers the most enriching and emotional journeys through Hoi An. More than just taking you to the Japanese Bridge, we invite you to live Hoi An like a local: sip tea, make lanterns, cycle through Cam Thanh’s countryside, and enjoy authentic cuisine by the shimmering lights of floating lanterns.

Let Amigos Travel accompany you on a journey not only through Hoi An but also through the cultural soul of Vietnam. And if you could make one wish standing before the Japanese Bridge—it might just be… that you had come here sooner.

Contact Amigos Travel to book your Japanese Bridge and Hoi An Heritage Tour:

• Address: Group 32, Ben Tre, Cam Ha Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam
• Hotline: 0915 019 114
• Website: https://amigostours.vn/
• Email: info@amigostour.vn

✅“We don’t just take you to places - We take you through time.” - That’s the mission Amigos Travel brings to every journey!