Many bridges in HCM City could collapse at any time because of deterioration and low clearance levels.

Binh Loi Bridge

To avoid further collisions more cameras as well as high voltage lamps have been added to Binh Loi Bridge.

The 114-year-old bridge has been hit by boats and barges for at least ten times in recent times. Last November, the railway track on the bridge was bent and train schedules disrupted after the bridge was hit by a barge carrying 1,000 tonnes of stones.

Several days before, another barge got stuck under the bridge.

Le Phuong Nam, manager of Binh Loi railway section, said during low tides, the clearance between water and the bridge was 3.5m, but during high tides, this clearance could be reduced to just a metre.

The Ministry of Transport started a VND1.3trn project to build another bridge and dredge Saigon River last April but almost a year has passed without any development.

Phuoc Kien Bridge was close to collapse last year after being hit by a barge. Also the same year, part of Cai Tam Bridge collapsed after being hit by a barge.

According to Department of Transport's Waterway Management Office, there are about 13 bridges are at high risk of collapse because of low clearance and high water traffic flows.

Another 200 bridges, mostly located in Binh Thanh, Binh Chanh and Nha Be districts, also face risks as the distance between the bridge and water is less than three metres.

Bay, a local pilot, said they knew well where the river became shallow but it was sometimes difficult to gauge the clearance of a bridge.

In addition there are many deteriorating bridges in the city. Four bridges along Le Van Luong Street are deteriorating.

Long Kieng Bridge which was built before 1975 and connects Phuoc Kien and Nhon Duc communes shakes when vehicles cross it.

Many people have decided to sell their houses and moved elsewhere for fear of drowning.

The Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration has reported that Vietnam has about 427 bridges located on busy waterways in which clearance of 125 bridges do not meet requirements for waterway traffic.

Five bridges will be given priority for upgrading include Long Bien and Duong bridges in Hanoi, Chui Bridge in Haiphong City, Ghenh Bridge in Dong Nai Province and Binh Loi Bridge in HCM City.