After completing a 19-month restoration project, the Japanese Covered Bridge in Hoi An ancient town, Quang Nam province, has opened its doors to visitors.

On the afternoon of August 3, at the Chua Cau relic, the People's Committee of Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province held the inauguration ceremony of the restoration project.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Chairman of Hoi An City People's Committee Nguyen Van Son said that this is the first time a relic restoration project has been "openly dissected" and carried out in the heart of a bustling heritage tourism city. Locals and tourists can observe, approach, monitor and learn about the entire restoration process of the Chua Cau relic.

"With a meticulous survey of the current situation, careful consideration of viewpoints and restoration solutions, along with the dedication of the team directly participating in the project and the contributions of domestic and foreign conservation experts, especially experts from Japan, the project to restore the Japanese Covered Bridge was completed systematically and scientifically.

The completion of the restoration of the Japanese Covered Bridge relic also has great significance in commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Hoi An - Japan Cultural Exchange event. Mr. Son said.

According to VTC News reporters, on the afternoon of the inauguration ceremony, many locals and tourists were present in the area near the Japanese Covered Bridge to admire the restored relic.

Although the relic considered a symbol of Hoi An ancient town for 4 centuries has been successfully restored, ensuring its solidity, the pollution problem in the Cau Pagoda area still makes many people fed up.

Mr. TTN (a tourist from Tam Ky City, Quang Nam) shared: "Through information channels, I know that this afternoon Hoi An City will hold an inauguration ceremony to restore the Japanese Covered Bridge, so at noon, my friend and I traveled 50 kilometers here to see the restored Japanese Covered Bridge. However, I was uncomfortable with the strong stench coming from the creek at the foot of the Japanese Covered Bridge, and the water below was pitch black."

The project to restore the Chua Cau (Lai Vien Kieu) relic with a total approved budget of 20.2 billion VND, of which the provincial budget supports 50% and Hoi An city budget allocates 50%. Since July 25, the construction unit has dismantled the entire house covered with iron frames and corrugated iron roofs, so that people and tourists can easily admire the panoramic view of the Japanese Covered Bridge relic after 1.5 years of restoration. The new look of the Japanese Covered Bridge after the major restoration has received mixed opinions from the public. Many people believe that the restoration, especially the paint color, has destroyed the ancient beauty of the structure considered a symbol of the ancient town of Hoi An, making the relic look strange compared to before.