The inauguration ceremony was attended by National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong and coincided with the anniversary of Wounded and Fallen Soldiers Day.

Construction on the 311-metre long and 15-metre wide bridge began in September last year and it is part of a VND670 billion (US$29.5 million) project to build six kilometres of road in order to bypass Quang Tri town.

The bypass, which connects Quang Tri town with the provincial capital of Dong Ha, is expected to benefit local residents and strengthen the connection between localities in the province.

The bridge will also make the Quang Tri ancient citadel, a national historical site, more accessible to visitors who wish to pay their respects to the soldiers that fell in the battle to protect the citadel 45 years ago.

During the epic 81-day battle, thousands of soldiers sacrificed their lives while the citadel was bombarded with almost 300,000 tonnes of weaponry, the equivalent of seven nuclear bombs.