Don't look down: 'world's longest' glass-bottomed bridge opens in Vietnam

The Bach Long bridge is expected to be verified by Guinness World Records officials next month

A young visitor crawls on the Bach Long glass bridge in Moc Chau district in Vietnam's Son La province on April 29, 2022. - Vietnam launched a new attraction for tourists -- with a head for heights -- on April 29 with the opening of a glass-bottomed bridge suspended some 150 metres above a lush, jungle-clad gorge. (Photo by Nhac NGUYEN / AFP)

The newly constructed bridge is located in Moc Chau district in Vietnam's Son La province.

The floor of the bridge is made from French-produced tempered glass.

Visitors on the walkway section of the Bach Long glass bridge.

Vietnam says its glass-bottomed bridge surpasses the 526-metre structure in Guangdong, China, certified as the world's longest in 2020.

Bach Long is Vietnam's third glass bridge.

The bridge snakes around dizzying cliff faces before spanning a dramatic valley between two peaks.

Vietnamese tourism chiefs are seeking to lure visitors back after two years of Covid-19 shutdowns that kept out virtually all foreign travellers.

Visitors capture their experiences of the bridge.

Vietnam ended quarantine for international visitors and resumed 15 days of visa-free travel for citizens from 13 countries in March.

The Bach Long bridge's name translates as white dragon.

The tempered-glass floor is strong enough to support up to 450 people.

The walkway section of the Bach Long glass bridge affords spectacular views.

The bridge is targeted at visitors with a head for heights.

A young visitor makes his way across the bridge.

The bridge is suspended above a lush, jungle-clad gorge.

A couple take pictures on the bridge.

An aerial shot of the newly constructed Bach Long glass bridge.

A visitor takes a selfie on the bridge. Authorities are hoping it will attract tourists after months of Covid-19 closures.

The Bach Long glass bridge is now open to visitors.

Vietnam launched a new attraction for tourists with a head for heights on Friday, with the opening of a glass-bottomed bridge suspended 150 metres above a lush jungle.

The Bach Long pedestrian bridge — its name translating as white dragon — in the north-west Son La province, snakes around dizzying cliff faces before spanning a dramatic valley between two peaks, hitting a total length of 632 metres.

The floor of the bridge is made from French-produced tempered glass, making it strong enough to support up to 450 people at a time, while giving them a spectacular view of the greenery in the gorge far below.

"When standing on the bridge, travellers will be able to admire the beauty of nature," Hoang Manh Duy, a representative of the bridge's operator, said.

The company says it is the world's longest glass-bottomed bridge, surpassing a 526-metre structure in Guangdong, China. Officials from Guinness World Records certified the Guangdong bridge in 2020. They are expected to verify Bach Long's claim next month.

According to the BBC, there are an estimated 2,300 glass bridges in China, with the Zhangjiajie bridge in Hunan province, which opened in 2016, starting the craze.

Vietnamese tourism chiefs are seeking to lure visitors back after two years of Covid-19 shutdowns that kept out virtually all foreign tourists.

In mid-March, the country ended quarantine for international visitors and resumed 15 days of visa-free travel for citizens from 13 countries.

Vietnam is set to host the Southeast Asian Games on May 12, with more than 10,000 athletes and sports staff from countries in the region en route.

Bach Long is Vietnam's third glass bridge.

"I hope the bridge will lure more domestic and international tourists to our area," local resident Bui Van Thach said, after walking across it.