Chùa Cầu, the Japanese Covered Bridge, is a short roofed wooden crossing at the western end of Trần Phú street in Hội An Ancient Town. The area belonged to Quảng Nam until the 2025 provincial merger placed it under Đà Nẵng. Japanese merchants are traditionally credited with building it around the 1590s, and in 1719 Lord Nguyễn Phúc Chu named it Lai Viễn Kiều, “Bridge of Friends from Afar.” It is Hội An’s signature landmark and appears on the 20,000-dong banknote (Discover Hoi An).
The bridge spans a small canal and links Trần Phú with Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai. Weathered statues of monkeys and dogs guard its two ends, and a compact shrine to Trấn Võ Bắc Đế, a guardian deity, sits on its north side. Lacquered beams, carved timber panels and a tiled roof frame the passage. The bridge reopened in August 2024 after a 19-month conservation project, and the fresh paint and replaced timbers drew both praise and debate (Central Vietnam Tour).
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Entry requires one coupon from the Ancient Town ticket, which you can buy at booths around the old quarter. Plan on 15 to 30 minutes for the visit. Arrive before 8 a.m. for soft light and empty frames. After dusk, the lantern-lit views from the canal banks suit photographers, though crowds peak between 6 and 9 p.m. From October to December, the rainy season can bring flooding to the old town, so check forecasts before you go. Afterward, walk east along Trần Phú to the Phùng Hưng Ancient House and the Phúc Kiến Assembly Hall.
