Japanese Covered Bridge

The Japanese Covered Bridge, also known as Chua Cau or Lai Vien Kieu, is a historic covered bridge built by Japanese merchants around the late 16th or early 17th century. Spanning a small canal in Hoi An Ancient Town, it combines a wooden bridge, a tiled roof and a shrine, reflecting the town’s history of international trade and cultural exchange.

Overview

Location

Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Hoi An Ward, Da Nang City

Type

Historic Covered Bridge & Cultural Heritage Site

Established / Built

Late 16th–early 17th century

Opening Hours

The surrounding area is accessible throughout the day; access to the bridge and shrine follows the heritage site’s visiting arrangements.

Highlights

Traditional wooden structure, tiled roof, small shrine, decorative carvings and Vietnamese–Japanese cultural heritage

Introduction

Built during Hoi An’s development as an international trading port, the Japanese Covered Bridge connected the Japanese and Chinese quarters across a small canal. Its construction is traditionally attributed to Japanese merchants, and the bridge has become a lasting symbol of the connections formed between Vietnamese and Japanese communities through maritime trade. In 1719, Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu named it Lai Vien Kieu, meaning a bridge welcoming visitors from afar.

The bridge features a timber structure beneath a distinctive tiled roof, with decorative details reflecting traditional East Asian craftsmanship. A small shrine is incorporated into the structure, giving the bridge both practical and spiritual significance. Its compact design and curved roofline distinguish it from ordinary bridges, while its setting among Hoi An’s historic streets reinforces its place within the town’s preserved architectural landscape.

Following a major restoration completed in 2024, the Japanese Covered Bridge continues to stand as one of Hoi An’s most recognisable landmarks. Its architectural character and historical associations offer a tangible reminder of the town’s multicultural past and the enduring cultural relationship between Vietnam and Japan.