Love Lock Bridge
Da Nang, Vietnam
Dragon Bridge, Da Nang
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Photo: Bùi Thụy Đào Nguyên, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free
- Hours
- Bridge open 24 hours; lit every evening after dark; fire and water show Fri, Sat, Sun and major holidays at 21:00
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 30 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Admission
- Free — it's a public road bridge with pavements on both sides
- Fire and water show
- Friday, Saturday, Sunday and major public holidays, 21:00
officiali
Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Show length
- About 15 minutes: two rounds of fire (9 bursts each), then three rounds of water; guides say anything from 5 to 15 minutes
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Traffic closure
- Unofficially, the bridge closes to cars and motorbikes around 20:45 and people walk onto the roadway
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Dragon's head
- At the east end, above the Trần Hưng Đạo riverside — the dragon faces the sea
- Splash zone
- Right under the head; guides suggest staying at least 100 m away to keep dry
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Cancellations
- Heavy rain or strong wind can cancel a show; extra nights are added around big holidays
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Paying
- Riverside stalls take cash (VND); Grab takes cash or a linked international card
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Key facts
Fri–Sun · 9 pmfire and water show, plus major public holidays
2 sourcesi
Da Nang Department of Tourism portalTuoi Tre News quoting the bridge operator666 mlength of the bridge across the Han River; main span 200 m
Sourcei
English and Russian WikipediaFreeto walk the bridge and watch the show — no tickets, no seating
2 sourcesi
Da Nang Department of Tourism portallocalvietnam.com≈ 15 minshow length: two rounds of fire, nine bursts each, then three rounds of water
2 sourcesi
Tuoi Tre News quoting Da Nang Bridge and Road JSCdiff.vn29 March 2013the bridge opened to traffic
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English and Russian Wikipedia37.5 mwidth: six traffic lanes plus pavements
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English and Russian WikipediaEastthe way the dragon's head faces — towards the sea and the beaches
2 sourcesi
Russian Wikipediabackpackmoments.comSince 2022Friday shows added; before that, Saturday and Sunday only
2 sourcesi
Tuoi Tre NewsBáo Lào Cai≈ 1.5 trillion VNDconstruction cost
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English and Russian Wikipedia2,500+LED lights along the dragon, changing colour
2 sourcesi
localvietnam.comyouindanang.com (unofficial)What time is the Dragon Bridge fire show?
The show starts at 9 pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and on major public holidays including Tết. That's the schedule on Da Nang's official tourism portal, and the director of Da Nang Bridge and Road JSC, which runs the bridge, gave the same days to Tuoi Tre News. Around big holidays the city announces runs of extra nights.
First the head breathes fire — two rounds of nine bursts — then it sprays water in three long jets. The operator puts the whole thing at about 15 minutes; you'll see 5 or 10–12 minutes elsewhere, depending on whether the pauses are counted. The fireballs last a few seconds each; the water arcs last longer and look better on video.
Get there by 8:30 pm. On Saturdays the good riverside spots fill by 8:45 pm, and that's also roughly when the bridge is closed to traffic. Saturday is the busiest night — people drive in from neighbouring provinces — while Friday is noticeably calmer.
What is Dragon Bridge?
Dragon Bridge — Cầu Rồng in Vietnamese — is a six-lane road bridge across the Han River in the middle of Da Nang. It carries Nguyễn Văn Linh street, the road in from the airport, over to the east bank and on towards My Khe Beach. It's 666 metres long and 37.5 metres wide, with pavements on both sides.
Above the roadway runs a yellow steel arch shaped like a dragon, its body dipping and rising over the water. The tail is on the west bank, the head on the east bank, facing the sea. Every evening LED lights run along its body and change colour.
The bridge opened on 29 March 2013 and cost close to 1.5 trillion VND. It's now the city's emblem, and the fire show is Da Nang's best-known free night out — locals bring the whole family.
Where to watch the Dragon Bridge show
- East bank, Trần Hưng Đạo street — the best first-timer spot. You face the dragon's head straight on, see the whole arch and its reflection, and stay dry. Stand between the bridge and the Love Bridge with its carp-dragon statue.
- On the bridge, 100 m or more from the head — once traffic stops, the crowd spills onto the lanes. Close and loud, and dry if you keep your distance.
- Right under the head — only if you want to get soaked. Bag your phone and passport.
- West bank, Bạch Đằng — a side-on, distant view, but thinner crowds. Upstairs cafés on Bạch Đằng give a view from above.
- Trần Thị Lý Bridge to the south or Han River Bridge to the north — a long side view of the whole bridge with the skyline behind; good for a tripod after the show.
- An evening Han River cruise — some sailings time their loop to the show; ask when you book.
- East-bank rooftop bars — no heads in front of you, at bar prices.
How to get to Dragon Bridge
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Love Lock Bridge is about 16 min away on foot.
- Museum of Cham Sculpture is about 7 min away on foot.
- Da Nang Cathedral is about 17 min away on foot.
More tips
- From Bạch Đằng riverside in the centre — the bridge starts right here, at the roundabout with Nguyễn Văn Linh, next to the Museum of Cham Sculpture. It's a 5–10 minute walk to the dragon's tail.
- To the east bank and the head — walk across on the pavement: 666 metres, about 10 minutes. On show nights, cross before 8:45 pm while you still can move freely.
- From Han Market — about 1 km south along Bạch Đằng, roughly 15 minutes on foot.
- From My Khe Beach — 2–3 km along Võ Văn Kiệt, 5–10 minutes by Grab or taxi. On show nights ask to be dropped on Trần Hưng Đạo: cars can't get onto the bridge.
- From Da Nang International Airport (DAD) — about 3 km, 10 minutes by Grab or taxi. Grab takes cash or a linked international card.
- Leaving after the show — for 20 minutes or so Grab prices jump and cars are hard to find. Walk a couple of blocks away from the river first, or wait it out in a café.
Where is Dragon Bridge, and what's nearby?
The bridge links the two halves of central Da Nang: the west bank, with the Bạch Đằng riverside, museums and Han Market, and the east bank, which leads to the beach districts. Type “Cầu Rồng” or “Dragon Bridge” into Grab or your map app.
At the west end is the Museum of Cham Sculpture; the pink cathedral is under 1 km north along Trần Phú, with Han Market 300 m beyond it. At the east end, on Trần Hưng Đạo, are the Love Bridge and the carp-turning-into-a-dragon statue. Son Tra Night Market is nearby on the east bank, but reports say it was recently moved, so check your map for its current spot.
Is Dragon Bridge worth it, and how long do you need?
Half an hour covers the bridge itself — walk part of it, photograph the dragon, look up and down the river. With the show allow about an hour, including the wait. If you're in Da Nang on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday night, go: it's free, central and unlike anything else in Vietnam.
Honestly, if all your evenings fall on weekdays, there's no need to make a special trip — you'll see the lights anyway driving back from the beach. And on Saturday expect a dense crowd, motorbikes and loud music; if crowds aren't your thing, pick Friday and a spot further along the riverside.
Riverside, bridge or west bank: where to stand
| Trần Hưng Đạo riversideyou are here | Straight on, whole dragon | No | Busy | 8:30 pm | Easy: flat, wide promenade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On the bridge near the head | Very close, looking up | Yes, within about 100 m | Packed | Traffic closure, around 8:45 pm | Tight, loud and wet |
| Bạch Đằng riverside | Side-on, distant | No | Lighter | Just before 9 pm | Kerbs and café tables |
Head position and distance advice from localvietnam.com, backpackmoments.com and diff.vn; the closure time is unofficial.
Before the show
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You are ready for the visit
An evening in central Da Nang: cathedral, museum and two bridges
The Cham museum and the pink cathedral in the afternoon, before 5 pm, across Dragon Bridge to the east bank by 8:30 pm, and the Love Bridge next door after the show. Add them to your route — YesGo works out the timing and walks.
- Da Nang Cathedral20 min · Free
- 13 min walk from the previous stopMuseum of Cham Sculpture1 h · 60,000 VND
- 8 min walk from the previous stopDragon Bridgeyou are here30 min · Free
- 6 min walk from the previous stopLove Lock Bridge20 min · Free
4 places · about 2 h 37 min with walks · 27 min on foot in total
Nearby and on your route
Museum of Cham Sculpture
Da Nang, Vietnam
Da Nang Cathedral
Da Nang, Vietnam
My Khe Beach
Da Nang, Vietnam
How to do it right
- If you have only one Friday, Saturday or Sunday in Da Nang, keep that evening for the bridge — the show runs three nights a week.
- To stay dry, watch from the east-bank riverside or from the bridge at least 100 m from the head.
- To get soaked on purpose, stand under the head — but bag your phone first.
- Friday crowds are much lighter than Saturday's.
- Don't call a Grab from the riverside right after the show; walk a couple of blocks first.
- With small kids, stand at the edge of the crowd so you can slip out easily.
- Walk over to the Love Bridge before the show — it's a couple of minutes from the dragon's head.
Questions
What days does the Dragon Bridge breathe fire?
Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 9 pm, plus major public holidays. Friday was added in 2022, so older guides only mention weekends.
How long is the Dragon Bridge fire show?
About 15 minutes according to the operator: two rounds of fire, then three rounds of water. The fire part itself is only a couple of minutes.
Where is the best place to watch the Dragon Bridge show?
The east-bank riverside on Trần Hưng Đạo, where the head faces you straight on. On the bridge itself, stay at least 100 m from the head unless you want to get wet.
Do you get wet at the Dragon Bridge show?
Only if you stand close to the head — the water jets come down right on the crowd. On either riverside, or 100 m or more along the bridge, you'll stay dry.
Is the Dragon Bridge show free?
Yes. There are no tickets and no seating. You only pay if you watch from a river cruise or a rooftop bar.
What time does Dragon Bridge light up?
Every evening after dark, with colour-changing LEDs along the dragon. The fire and water show is only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Is Dragon Bridge worth visiting?
Yes, on a show night: it's free, central and genuinely spectacular. On a weekday it's just a well-lit bridge you can see from the riverside.
How do I get to Dragon Bridge from My Khe Beach?
Take a Grab or taxi along Võ Văn Kiệt: 2–3 km, 5–10 minutes. On show nights ask to be dropped on Trần Hưng Đạo, as the bridge closes to traffic.
Can you walk across Dragon Bridge?
Yes, there are pavements on both sides. The 666-metre crossing takes about 10 minutes, and on show nights the whole roadway becomes pedestrian.
Is the show ever cancelled?
Heavy rain or strong wind can cancel it at short notice. Around big holidays the city adds extra show nights instead.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- Da Nang Department of Tourism portal (danangfantasticity.com): show days and time, fire and water sequence
- Tuoi Tre News: show schedule and rounds, quoting the director of Da Nang Bridge and Road JSC; Friday shows since 2022
- Báo Lào Cai: Friday shows since 2022
- English and Russian Wikipedia, Wikidata Q5305270: length, width, span, opening date, cost, direction of the head
- localvietnam.com, backpackmoments.com, diff.vn, vietnamtourism.com, Sun Paradise Land: viewing spots, traffic closure, splash zone, weather cancellations (unofficial)
- YesGo Vietnam notes: cash, cards and Grab
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