The pedestrian overpass crossing Nguyen Tat Thanh Street in front of the Xuan Thieu Tourist Area was officially inaugurated on Saturday, aiming to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of the Viet Nam - Japan diplomatic ties.

The ribbon cutting ceremony for the pedestrian overpass in progress

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Ms. Le Thu Ha, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee cum Vice Chairwoman of the Viet Nam - Japan Friendship Parliamentary Group; Mr. Yamada Takio, Japanese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Viet Nam; Mr. Yakabe Yoshinori, Consulate General of Japan in Da Nang; and Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Ho Ky Minh.

The pedestrian overpass across Nguyen Tat Thanh Street in front of the Mikazuki Hotel measures more than 140 metres in length and stands 11 metres high, and has a floor area of about 655m².

The paths leading to the Japanese-style overpass are shown as knots in the Japanese art of knitting strings, showing the strong bond in the two cultures of Viet Nam - Japan.

The shape of the bridge is designed with curve sections made of wood to symbolise sea waves, creating a lightness, relaxation and connection with the landscape of the area.

The bridge also has an elevator for people with disabilities, in wheelchairs, and the elderly.

In his remarks at the inauguration ceremony, Chairman of the Mikazuki Corporation Odaka Yoshimune emphasised, the pedestrian bridge was a symbol of the two nations' friendship. The opening ceremony of the pedestrian bridge aimed to celebrate the 50^th founding anniversary of the Viet Nam - Japan diplomatic ties and the 1^st birthday of the Mikazuki Hotel.

The bridge would help visitors walk safely from the Japanese Mikazuki Da Nang Resort & Spa resort and other entertainment centres to Nguyen Tat Thanh Street along the beach in the tourism district. At the same time, it would be a place to meet, exchange and bond the friendship between the people of the two countries, he added.

"We are very happy to present the “friendship bridge” to Da Nang. We will continue making more efforts to contribute to making Da Nang a tourist destination that can compete with other famous destinations and resorts in the world" Mr. Odaka Yoshimune emphasised.

A large number of guests and people move to the pedestrian bridge

The spacious pedestrian overpass has a beautiful shape and an observation deck

Da Nang's leaders and guests move from the observation deck to the pedestrian bridge

The completion of the pedestrian overpass aims to celebrate the first birthday of the Mikazuki Hotel and look forward to 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Japan.

The Japanese-style pedestrian overpass will help locals and tourists walk safely to the Xuan Thieu Beach

Reporting by HOANG HIEP - Translating by M.DUNG