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In the ranking of the 19 most beautiful bridges on the planet recently announced by the renowned travel website Time Out, Vietnam's Golden Bridge caused a major surprise by proudly taking the 4th position. Surpassing the millennia-old symbols and massive architectural structures of the US and Australia, the "golden ribbon" atop Ba Na Hill once again proves the powerful appeal of aesthetically pleasing architectural design and its ability to amaze the global visual senses.
The history of Vietnamese architecture has witnessed many iconic structures, from the longest wooden bridge in Vietnam, now a relic of the past, much to the regret of heritage lovers, to the "longest bridge in history" connecting the North and South, a project that took our ancestors 21 long years to complete. However, the concept of a "beautiful bridge" is no longer limited to its function of connecting the two banks of a river.
A closer look at the unique architecture of the Golden Bridge in Da Nang.
The Golden Bridge in Da Nang is the most vivid example of this shift in mindset. It is the only bridge in the central region's tourism capital that doesn't span any river. Instead of serving purely as a transportation artery, this structure creates a walking path amidst the clouds, detached from conventional norms, and poised to join the list of new world wonders.
According to the latest announcement from Time Out, the ranking of the world's most beautiful bridges is based not only on construction scale but also prioritizes symbolic value and the ability to harmonize with the natural landscape. Leading the list is Stari Most – a 16th-century stone masterpiece in Bosnia & Herzegovina bearing strong Ottoman influences. However, in fourth place, the Golden Bridge created a media sensation by surpassing both the Brooklyn Bridge (USA) and the Sydney Harbour Bridge (Australia).
The key to Vietnam's high ranking was its ability to create a visual awe. Located at an altitude of over 1,000 meters above sea level in the Sun World Ba Na Hills tourist area, the 150-meter-long bridge appears like a shimmering golden silk ribbon supported by two giant, moss-covered hands. Although only inaugurated in June 2018, with its sophisticated sculpting techniques, the structure breathes the spirit of an ancient relic from legend, creating a captivating contrast between its man-made form and the majestic beauty of the Ba Na mountains.
From its launch, the Golden Bridge quickly became a sensation on cross-border platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. The image of two hands supporting a silk ribbon amidst a sea of clouds has become a brand identity for Vietnamese tourism. International experts believe this is a prime example of the "Instagamable" design trend – a key factor in attracting Millennials and Gen Z when choosing destinations.
The Golden Bridge ranked 4th in Time Out magazine's (UK) list of the 19 most beautiful bridges in the world in 2026.
The Golden Bridge's reputation is not just the subjective opinion of a few organizations; it has been vouched for by numerous major media outlets. In 2018, The Guardian (UK) ranked it among the top 10 most beautiful pedestrian bridges in the world. In 2021, the Daily Mail further solidified its position by leading a survey of "new world wonders," surpassing many modern structures based on the criteria of "immediate impact and inherent wonder." Even CNN and Time magazine have praised it, calling it a must-visit destination.
Surpassing many historical landmarks such as the Brooklyn Bridge (USA), representatives from Da Nang affirmed the appeal of aesthetically pleasing architectural thinking in the digital age.
The success of the Golden Bridge in Da Nang is so great that it has become a source of inspiration (and even imitation) for many other structures around the world. In Zhejiang (China), the "Tianguan Buddha Hand" bridge at an altitude of 1,500 meters, and some structures in the Philippines also bear a similar design. However, experts and international journalists all agree that the Golden Bridge in Da Nang remains the irreplaceable original thanks to the perfect combination of its prime location, the characteristic foggy climate of Ba Na Hill, and a design philosophy that respects nature.
After more than 7 years in operation, the Golden Bridge has not lost its appeal; on the contrary, it has transformed from a "temporary phenomenon" into an "eternal symbol." Its continued inclusion in Time Out's list in early 2026 once again affirms the vibrant vitality of Vietnamese architecture on the global tourism map. The structure not only contributes to the economic growth of Central Vietnam but also represents a source of pride for the intellect and aesthetics of the Vietnamese people in the eyes of the international community.
