Can Tho Bridge in southern Vietnam opens at last

It is bizarre how one becomes aware of news now in distant parts of the world. Earlier this morning I was scanning my cable television channels and happened to be watchiing NHK 24 news channel (the English-language 24 hour news service of NHK, a major Japanese televison channel), read about the channel here, when I saw a report of the opening yesterday of the much-delayed Can Tho Bridge in southern Vietnam:



Construction of the bridge started in 2004, but there was a major accident during September 2007 when a 90-metre section of an approach ramp to the bridge collapsed, killing over 50 and injuring around 140 of the construction workers (the exact numbers differ in various reports). Here's a video report from Vietnam television of the rescue efforts following the disaster:



Construction recommenced 11 months after the accident. It opened to traffic yesterday:



The bridge links Vinh Long province with Can Tho, a major city about 170 Km south of Ho Chi Minh City ("Saigon") and is expected to improve traffic flow dramatically to the southern provinces and to boost the economy of the region.

(Having visited and lived in Vietnam for several years I remain interested in what is happening there, even if I have somewhat ambivalent views about the country.)