Hoi An pagoda bridge repainted amid complaints of looking ‘too new’

The unit responsible for renovating the Chua Cau (Japanese Pagoda Bridge) on Tuesday painted the sides of the bridge with a darker color so that it would be “more in harmony with the base”, said chairman of Hoi An Nguyen Van Son.

The sides of the bridge had degraded over time. During the renovation process, authorities painted them white, but some people said the new color made the bridge lose its “ancient” qualities.

The bridge, spanning over a small canal in Hoi An, was built by Japanese merchants 400 years prior. In 1990, the bridge was granted the status of a national historical and cultural heritage. The structure has undergone seven rounds of renovation, but as it is constantly exposed to the elements, it degrades quickly.

On July 29, the bridge’s new appearance was unveiled. However, some people said the bridge looked “strange” as the new paint made it look too new and modern.

Pham Phu Ngoc, director of the Hoi An Center for Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation, said the new renovation has been done carefully and scientifically from start to finish, with the paint color being chosen based on the original color of the bridge.

“After the renovation, Chua Cau retains its entirety regarding its architecture and structure. Every original part, component and relic with historical value has been preserved to the utmost level,” Ngoc said.