The Rong (Dragon) Bridge in the central Vietnamese city of Da Nang, the world’s longest dragon-shape steel bridge, has claimed an award at the 2014 International Association of Lighting Designers’ (IALD) International Lighting Awards.

The bridge on the Han River won the “Special Citations” Award for “a whimsical, well-crafted multimedia experience communicating national and religious identity”, IALD said in a statement.

According IALD, the US$85-million bridge features 166 meters of undulating steel in the shape of a dragon, the symbol of prosperity in Vietnamese culture.

The Rong (Dragon) Bridge in Da Nang City seen from the west bank of Han River. Photo credit: ASA

This unique and beautifully lit bridge, which also breathes fire and sprays water, is set to become Da Nang’s new landmark, the pride of local people, and attract more tourists to the city, the agency said.

An IALD release quoted an unnamed judge as saying: “Delightful! This project transcends the notion of monumental bridge with dynamic color-changing lighting, creating an iconic sculpture in the skyline that is both reverent and whimsical.”  “The purposeful integration of the lighting hardware articulates the dragon's form, and the fire-breathing dragon head is just the cherry on the top!” said the judge.

The Rong Bridge has the dragon sections changing colors at night. Photo credit: ASA

The bridge’s lighting was designed by the Ho Chi Minh City-based ASA Studios’ team of Tran Van Thanh, Nguyen Van Nam Khoa, Ngo Thanh Phat and Van Quoc Kiet, with additional architecture credits of Louis Berger Group and lighting mechanical and electrical design of Philips Lightings Viet Nam.

This is the first time a structure in Viet Nam and designed by a local architect claimed the 31 year history of the honor awards.

Architect Tran Van Thanh said he is "really moved" when a lighting structure in Viet Nam appeared in the world’s map of awarded structures. "I hope Viet Nam will have more structures to be honored in the future,” he said.

The Rong Bridge was highly evaluated not only because of its special design but also its role in promoting the image of Da Nang and Viet Nam, he was quoted by Tuoi Tre as saying.

Earlier, the Rong Bridge has won two prestigious international awards - FX Design Awards 2013 and Lighting Design Awards 2014.

The IALD’s 2014 awards in Las Vegas honored 16 award winners representing architectural lighting design projects from ten countries, among about 200 applications.

(Source: thanhniennews.com)