Han River Bridge to swing open earlier for visitors

Following a suggestion from the Da Nang Department of Transport, the municipal People's Committee (PC) has agreed to allow the Han River Swing Bridge to open earlier at weekends to attract more visitors.
Many local residents and representatives from local travel agencies had shown strong support for the department's suggestion, believing that the earlier opening of the bridge could become one of the city’s most impressive tourism attractions.
Between 2000 and 2010 the bridge was open daily from 1 am to 4 am to allow vessels to go up and down the river.
Since 5 March 2010, the bridge has still been opening for vessels at 1am daily, but if there are no vessels passing, it closes again before 2am.
In an attempt to attract tourists, the bridge has more recently been opening earlier at weekends from midnight to 1am although, for safety reasons, not if the wind speed exceeds level 6.
Following the latest instructions from the PC, the bridge will now be allowed to open earlier than midnight at weekends to satisfy the demand of local visitors.
Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism (DCST), Mr Tran Chi Cuong, remarked that the Han River Swing Bridge is an impressive symbol of the city. Mr Cuong added that useful information about bridges spanning the Han River has been sent to local travel agencies and businesses, along with tourist guides and others involved in tourism. He stressed the need for them to find the most efficient way to introduce this information to visitors.
Many local residents and representatives from local travel agencies are suggesting that the bridge should be opened earlier every day, and that this should be publicised widely in the mass media.
They have also suggested that a wide range of cultural activities and festivals along both banks of the Han River should be organised to satisfy the varied demands of visitors.
The municipal DCST is finalising plans for such activities, and will submit them to the PC for approval before 30 September.
In particular, Bach Dang street will be the venue for 8 new activities. These will include a park near the Novotel Danang Premier Han River displaying marble sculptures from the Non Nuoc Marble Carving Village, a venue for 'Bai Choi' (singing while acting as playing cards), and the Hai Chau Book Festival..