Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu)
Chùa Cầu
The symbol of Hoi An's old town: a wooden covered bridge built by Japanese merchants in the late 16th century, which appears on the 20,000-dong banknote.
Also called Lai Vien Bridge, it spans a small canal at the western end of the old town. A shrine to Northern Emperor Zhenwu stands inside the bridge, and stone statues of a monkey and a dog guard its two ends. A major restoration was completed in 2024, and the bridge looks brand new. Entry to the covered bridge requires the old town combo ticket, which costs about 120,000 VND and covers five sites. Photos taken from outside the bridge are free. The bridge is least crowded before 7 a.m., when the light is good, and it is most atmospheric at dusk, after the lanterns are lit. It stands at the western end of Trần Phú Street and is within walking distance of the old town's other sights.
Opening hours
Open all day (bridge interior tours approx. 08:00–21:30)
Nearby sights
- Hoi An Ancient Town
- Hoi An Impression Theme Park (Hoi An Memories Show)
- Thanh Ha Pottery Village
- Tra Que Vegetable Village
- An Bang Beach
- Cua Dai Beach
- Bay Mau Coconut Forest, Cam Thanh
- VinWonders Nam Hoi An