Hoi An Travel Tips
Japanese Covered Bridge Hoi An – Full Travel Guide, History
The Japanese Covered Bridge Hoi An — known locally as Chùa Cầu — is the single most iconic landmark in Vietnam’s UNESCO-listed Ancient Town. Built by Japanese merchants over 400 years ago, this roofed wooden bridge is so treasured that it appears on the 20,000 VND banknote. This complete 2026 guide covers its history, legends, architecture, ticket prices, opening hours, the best photo spots, and exactly how to visit.
Start hereJapanese Covered Bridge Hoi An at a Glance
Short on time? Here is everything you need to know before you go, at a glance.
Local tip: You can admire and photograph the bridge from the street or riverbank for free at any time. A ticket is only needed to walk across it and enter the little temple inside.
The storyHistory of the Japanese Covered Bridge Hoi An
The bridge was built around 1593 by the Japanese merchant community that lived and traded in Hoi An, then one of Asia’s busiest international ports. Its purpose was practical: to connect the Japanese quarter (today’s Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street) with the Chinese quarter (today’s Tran Phu Street) across a small canal.
Sometime in the 17th century a small temple (chùa) was added to the northern side of the bridge — which is why Vietnamese people call it Chùa Cầu, literally “Pagoda Bridge.” In 1719, Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu visited Hoi An and bestowed on it the poetic name Lai Viễn Kiều (来遠橋), meaning “Bridge for Travelers from Afar” — a nod to the foreign traders the town welcomed.
- 1c. 1593
Built by Japanese merchants to link the Japanese and Chinese trading quarters.
- 217th century
A small Taoist temple is added on one side — giving rise to the local name Chùa Cầu.
- 31719
Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu names the bridge Lai Viễn Kiều, “Bridge for Travelers from Afar.”
- 41990
Officially recognized as a National Historical–Cultural Relic (17 Feb 1990).
- 52006
The bridge’s image is printed on Vietnam’s 20,000 VND polymer banknote.
- 62022–24
A major “surgery-style” restoration; the bridge is re-inaugurated on 3 August 2024.
Because it sits on a river bank and carries the weight of a roof and temple, the bridge has been carefully repaired many times over the centuries — records mention restorations in 1763, 1817, 1875, 1915, 1962, 1986 and 1996 — before the comprehensive 2022–2024 project described below.
DesignUnique Architecture of Chùa Cầu
The Japanese Covered Bridge is about 18 metres long and 3 metres wide, resting on sturdy stone-and-brick piers with an all-timber body and a curved roof of yin-yang tiles. A covered, roofed footbridge like this is extremely rare in Vietnam, and its silhouette blends Japanese structure, Vietnamese roofing and Chinese decorative detail into one harmonious whole.
Look for these signature details when you visit:
- Guardian statues — a pair of dogs stand at one entrance and monkeys at the other, watching over everyone who crosses.
- The temple (miếu) — a small shrine set into the middle of the bridge, dedicated to the Taoist deity Bắc Đế Trấn Vũ.
- Carved beams — intricate dragons, clouds and Chinese characters run along the woodwork and the lacquered name-plaque above the door.
- Yin-yang roof tiles — the gently curved tiled roof that shelters the whole crossing, a defining feature of Hoi An’s old architecture.
MythLegends & Symbolism
The bridge is far more than a river crossing — it is believed to be a spiritual guardian of Hoi An. According to a Japanese legend, a giant monster called Namazu (known in Vietnamese folklore as con Cù) lay hidden beneath the earth. Its head rested in Japan, its body stretched across Vietnam and its tail reached distant lands; whenever the beast thrashed, it triggered earthquakes and floods.
The Japanese built the bridge like a sword pressed across the monster’s back, pinning it in place to keep the town safe from disaster. The little temple honours Bắc Đế Trấn Vũ (the Taoist “God of the North”), who is believed to command the weather and protect the region from storms and flooding.
Why a dog and a monkey? The most popular explanation is that construction began in the Year of the Monkey and finished in the Year of the Dog. Both animals were also revered as sacred guardians in Japanese belief — so they were chosen to stand watch at each end of the bridge. (As with many old legends, versions of the story vary.)
Recently restoredThe 2022–2024 Restoration
If you visited Hoi An before 2022, you’ll notice the bridge looks brighter today. Between 28 December 2022 and July 2024, the Japanese Covered Bridge underwent its most thorough restoration in modern history — a roughly 19-month, “surgery-style” project led by the Hoi An Centre for Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation, at a cost of about 20.2 billion VND shared equally by Quang Nam province and Hoi An city.
Conservators went to great lengths to keep the monument authentic: roughly 60% of the original timber, 30% of the roof tiles, 80% of the ancient name-plaques and 20% of the stone foundations were preserved and reused. The bridge was formally re-inaugurated on 3 August 2024 during the 20th Hoi An–Japan Cultural Exchange festival.
“It looks too new!” — a fair first impression. The fresh colour is mostly on the replaced walls and roof decoration; the original woodwork was left in its natural tone. Heritage experts followed international “no-falsification” restoration principles, and the timber is already mellowing back to its familiar weathered patina.
Plan your visitEntrance Fee, Opening Hours & Location
Entrance Fee
120,000 VND
per international visitor (~US$4.7). This is the Hoi An Ancient Town pass, which also covers 5 heritage sites of your choice. Vietnamese visitors pay 80,000 VND.
Opening Hours
Ticket booths run roughly 07:30–21:30 daily. You can view the exterior any time — it’s most magical after sunset when the lanterns switch on.
Location
Western end of Tran Phu Street, spanning the canal to Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St, Minh An Ward, Hoi An, central Vietnam.
Do you always have to pay? In practice, the Ancient Town ticket is meant for entering heritage sites like the bridge’s interior. Simply walking the surrounding lantern-lit streets and photographing Chùa Cầu from outside is free — buy the pass if you want to cross it and step into the temple.
Pro tipsBest Time to Visit & Photography Tips
The bridge is stunning at two very different moments: early morning (roughly 6:00–8:00), when the light is soft and the crowds are thin, and evening, when Hoi An’s lanterns turn the whole Ancient Town golden. Midday is hot, bright and busy — the least flattering time for photos.
- Best seasons: February to August are driest. Avoid October–November, Hoi An’s flood season, when the canal can rise.
- Full-moon nights: On the 14th day of each lunar month the town dims its electric lights for the Lantern Festival — unforgettable, but crowded.
- Best photo angle: shoot from the small footbridge and riverbank just south of Chùa Cầu to catch its reflection in the water.
- Golden hour: arrive ~30 minutes before sunset to capture both daylight detail and the first lantern glow.
- Respect the shrine: dress modestly and keep your voice low inside the temple — it’s still an active place of worship.
DirectionsHow to Get to the Japanese Covered Bridge
The Japanese Covered Bridge sits at the heart of Hoi An Ancient Town, which is pedestrian-only for much of the day — cars and motorbikes aren’t allowed inside the core heritage zone. The easiest approach is to park at the edge of the Ancient Town and walk in; from most points near the centre the bridge is only a 5–10 minute stroll.
Coming from further out? The Ancient Town is about 5 km from An Bang Beach, 30 km from Da Nang and 45 km from Da Nang International Airport. Having your own bike makes hopping between the beach, the rice paddies and the Ancient Town effortless — which brings us to the best way to explore.
While you’re thereNearby Attractions in Hoi An Ancient Town
Once you’ve seen the bridge, the rest of the Ancient Town is right on your doorstep. Within a few minutes’ walk you’ll find the Fujian (Phuc Kien) Assembly Hall, the beautifully preserved Tan Ky Old House, the bustling Hoi An Central Market, and the An Hoi lantern bridge and riverside night market just across the water. Give yourself at least half a day to wander — and read our Hoi An travel tips to make the most of it.
Get aroundExplore Hoi An by Motorbike, E-Bike & Bicycle
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Good to knowJapanese Covered Bridge Hoi An — FAQ
When was the Japanese Covered Bridge built?
It was built around 1593 by Japanese merchants living in Hoi An, to connect the Japanese and Chinese trading quarters. That makes it more than 400 years old.
Why is it called Chùa Cầu and Lai Viễn Kiều?
Chùa Cầu (“Pagoda Bridge”) is the local name, because a small temple was added to the bridge. Lai Viễn Kiều (“Bridge for Travelers from Afar”) is the formal name given by Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu in 1719. In English it’s simply the Japanese Covered Bridge.
Do I need a ticket to visit the bridge?
To walk across the bridge and enter the temple, yes — you need a Hoi An Ancient Town pass (120,000 VND for foreigners), which also covers five heritage sites. Photographing the bridge from the street or riverbank is free.
What are the opening hours?
Ancient Town ticket booths operate roughly 07:30–21:30 daily. The bridge exterior can be admired at any hour and looks its best after sunset when the lanterns are lit.
Who is worshipped inside the bridge?
The small shrine honours Bắc Đế Trấn Vũ, a Taoist deity known as the God of the North, believed to control the weather and protect Hoi An from floods and natural disasters.
Why are there dog and monkey statues?
The popular explanation is that construction began in the Year of the Monkey and ended in the Year of the Dog. Both animals were also considered sacred guardians in Japanese tradition, so they stand watch at each entrance.
Was the bridge really restored, and does it look too new?
Yes — a major restoration ran from December 2022 to July 2024, reopening on 3 August 2024. About 60% of the original wood was preserved. The brighter look comes mainly from repainted walls and roof decoration, and the timber is naturally weathering back to its old patina.
Is the Japanese Covered Bridge worth visiting at night?
Absolutely. It is arguably at its most beautiful after dark, glowing under lantern light and reflected in the canal — one of the most photographed scenes in all of Vietnam.
How do I get there and where can I park?
The Ancient Town is pedestrian-only in its core, so park your bike or bicycle at the edge and walk in — the bridge is a 5–10 minute stroll from most central points. Renting a bike in Hoi An is the easiest way to reach the town from the beach or your hotel.
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