• 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)
    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 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.
    The floor of the bridge is made from French-produced tempered glass.
  • Visitors on the walkway section of the Bach Long glass bridge.
    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.
    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.
    Bach Long is Vietnam's third glass bridge.
  • The bridge snakes around dizzying cliff faces before spanning a dramatic valley between two peaks.
    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.
    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.
    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.
    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 Bach Long bridge's name translates as white dragon.
  • The tempered-glass floor is strong enough to support up to 450 people.
    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 walkway section of the Bach Long glass bridge affords spectacular views.
  • The bridge is targeted at visitors with a head for heights.
    The bridge is targeted at visitors with a head for heights.
  • A young visitor makes his way across the bridge.
    A young visitor makes his way across the bridge.
  • The bridge is suspended above a lush, jungle-clad gorge.
    The bridge is suspended above a lush, jungle-clad gorge.
  • A couple take pictures on the bridge.
    A couple take pictures on the bridge.
  • An aerial shot of the newly constructed Bach Long glass 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.
    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.
    The Bach Long glass bridge is now open to visitors.

Travel

News

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

AFP

April 30, 2022

  • English
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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.

ICC Intercontinental Cup

UAE squad Rohan Mustafa (captain), Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Saqlain Haider, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Naveed, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Mohammed Boota, Amir Hayat, Ashfaq Ahmed

Fixtures Nov 29-Dec 2

UAE v Afghanistan, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Hong Kong v Papua New Guinea, Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Ireland v Scotland, Dubai International Stadium

Namibia v Netherlands, ICC Academy, Dubai

THE DETAILS

Director: Milan Jhaveri
Producer: Emmay Entertainment and T-Series
Cast: John Abraham, Manoj Bajpayee
Rating: 2/5

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company

The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.

He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.

“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.

“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.

HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon. 

With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.

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On Women's Day

Pad Man

Dir: R Balki

Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte

Three-and-a-half stars

The biog

Birthday: February 22, 1956

Born: Madahha near Chittagong, Bangladesh

Arrived in UAE: 1978

Exercise: At least one hour a day on the Corniche, from 5.30-6am and 7pm to 8pm.

Favourite place in Abu Dhabi? “Everywhere. Wherever you go, you can relax.”

Classification of skills

A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation. 

A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.

The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000. 

Updated: April 30, 2022, 8:51 AM
VietnamTourism