Saigon Bridge
| Saigon Bridge Cầu Sài Gòn | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Coordinates | 10°47′56″N 106°43′38″E / 10.79889°N 106.72722°ECoordinates: 10°47′56″N 106°43′38″E / 10.79889°N 106.72722°E |
| Crosses | Saigon River |
| Locale | Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam |
| Characteristics | |
| Material | concrete |
| Total length | 1,010 metres (3,310 ft) |
| Width | 26 metres (85 ft) |
| History | |
| Designer | Drake and Piper Johnson |
| Opened | June 28, 1961 |
Saigon Bridge, known as Newport Bridge (Cầu Tân Cảng) before 1975, is a bridge crossing the Saigon River, connecting Bình Thạnh District and District 2, Ho Chi Minh City, on the Hanoi Highway. The bridge has four lanes for cars and two lanes for motorcycles and bicycles. It is one of the most vital gateways for vehicles traveling from northern and central Vietnam to the city, and therefore was a key point of contention during the Tet Offensive in 1968 and the Fall of Saigon in 1975. It was the only bridge linking District 1 to the new Thu Thiem New Urban Area in District 2 until the Thủ Thiêm Bridge opened in 2008 and the Saigon River Tunnel opened in 2011.