Highland areas rife with dangerous suspension bridges

A bridge in Nam Cha village, Sin Ho district, Lai Chau province is within a whisker of collapse and locals are advised to exercise extreme caution in crossing. 

Suspension bridges are a key mode of transportation in the north-western region, with its many rivers and streams.

They often provide the sole path linking a commune with village and the district’s centre and local people are forced to risk their lives to use these bridges. With only a minor mistake, children and adults can potentially fall into rivers or streams below and suffer serious injury or even death. 

Despite the dangers, children still play on suspension bridges.

It is difficult to lead a motorbike over the bridge

Children are unaware of looming disaster.

After several rainy seasons, bridge is completely broken. Local people have to use bamboo to prop up the bridge’s surface.

Many people and motorbikes have fallen into streams when attempting to cross a bridge over Nam Si Luong Stream in Muong Te district, Lai Chau province.

Local people in Nam Tam commune, Sin Ho district, Lai Chau province have to use temporary bridges to access and till the fields.

People pay VND50,000 each to cross a temporary bridge over Nam Mu River.

A few people use a floating bridge over Ma River in Sop Cop district, Son La province because of inherent dangers.

Most suspension bridges are not maintained and upgraded regularly.

However, lacking a suspension bridge, the only option for local people is use of a dug-out canoe to travel out of their communes.

It is extremely dangerous to row on big rivers like, Da, Ma, Nam Na, Nam Mu and Hong rivers.

Over exploiting mineral sources on rivers in highland areas badly affected suspension bridges.