Hoian Japanese Coverd Bridge

Japanese Coverd Bridge

Conecting Tran Phu St. with Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St., Japanese Covered bridge was constructed in the middle of the 16th century by Japanese merchants in Hoi An. Due to natural disaster, Japanese Covered bridge was restored so many times that it gradually lost its original Japanese architecture style and was impacted by Vietnamese and Chinese design. The bridge was provided with a roof which was arched shape and skilfully carved with many fine patterns. Over the door, 3 Chinese characters “ Lai Van Kieu” (it means Bridge for Passers-by From Afar) were carved prominently to name the bridge by Nguyen Phuc Chu Lord in his trip to Hoi An in 1719.

The two entrances to the bridge are guarded by a pair of monkeys on one side and a pair of dogs on the other. According to legend, these once lived an enormous monster called Cu whose head was in India, its tail in Japan and its body in Vietnam. Whenever the monster moved, terrible disaster such as floods and earthquake befell these places. Thus, aprat from the purpose of transportation, building the bridge aslo is to speak-killing the monster to preserve safe and peaceful life.

Japanese Covered Bridge is an invaluable property and has been officially selected to be the symbol of Hoi An.