A 2,000-foot glass-bottomed bridge said to be the longest in the world just opened in Vietnam — take a look at the pedestrian walkway, suspended high above a valley

OSTN Staff

people walk across the Bach Long glass bridge in the Moc Chau district in Vietnam's Son La province
  • Vietnam just opened a 2,000-foot-long glass-bottomed bridge, said to be the longest in the world. 
  • Named Bach Long, the pedestrian bridge reportedly has three layers of 40mm, or roughly 1.5 inch, tempered glass.
  • Beneath is a sharp plummet of nearly 500 feet to the valley below. Take a look at the bridge sure to be a daredevil’s next fascination.
If you’re afraid of heights, the Bach Long bridge probably won’t be your thing.

people walk across the Bach Long glass bridge in the Moc Chau district in Vietnam's Son La province
For thrill-seekers, though, the destination is a welcome addition to a bucket list.

people take pictures on the Bach Long glass bridge in the Moc Chau district in Vietnam's Son La province
The glass pedestrian bridge opened at the end of April.

people stand on the Bach Long glass bridge in the Moc Chau district in Vietnam's Son La province
It’s located in the Moc Chau district of Vietnam’s northwestern Son La province.

the Bach Long glass bridge in the Moc Chau district in Vietnam's Son La province
Bach Long translates to “white dragon.”

people walk on the Bach Long glass bridge in the Moc Chau district in Vietnam's Son La province
The bridge measures 632 meters, or roughly 2,073 feet, in length.

people stand on the Bach Long glass bridge in the Moc Chau district in Vietnam's Son La province
The company behind it says it’s the longest glass-bottomed bridge in the world.

aerial view of the Bach Long glass bridge in the Moc Chau district in Vietnam's Son La province
Guinness World Records officials will visit the bridge this month to determine if that’s true or not.

the Bach Long glass bridge in the Moc Chau district in Vietnam's Son La province

Source: Al Jazeera

The bridge stands 150 meters, or roughly 492 feet, above a lush valley between two mountains.

the Bach Long glass bridge in the Moc Chau district in Vietnam's Son La province
The daredevils who cross the bridge do so on three layers of 40mm, or roughly 1.5 inch, tempered glass.

people lie down on the Bach Long glass bridge in the Moc Chau district in Vietnam's Son La province

Source: South China Morning Post

Despite the thin nature of the glass, Bach Long can support roughly 500 people at a time, according to Hoang Manh Duy, a representative of Moc Chau.

people walk across the Bach Long glass bridge in the Moc Chau district in Vietnam's Son La province

Source: Vietnam National Administration of Tourism

The company behind Bach Long said it put the bridge to the test by having heavy cars and trucks drive over it.

people walk on the Bach Long glass bridge in the Moc Chau district in Vietnam's Son La province

Source: South China Morning Post

As an additional safety measure, traffic on the bridge will only flow in one direction.

a person stands on the Bach Long glass bridge in the Moc Chau district in Vietnam's Son La province

Source: Vietnam National Administration of Tourism

When the bridge opened Friday, its first visitors had mixed reactions.

people stand on the Bach Long glass bridge in the Moc Chau district in Vietnam's Son La province
Some were thrilled.

a woman takes a selfie on the Bach Long glass bridge in the Moc Chau district in Vietnam's Son La province
Many posed for photos to capture the surreal experience.

people take pictures on the Bach Long glass bridge in the Moc Chau district in Vietnam's Son La province
“I think it’s all great,” one visitor told Al Jazeera. “Stepping on the bridge and looking down was scary at first, but if we continued confidently, it was very amazing.”

people sit down on the Bach Long glass bridge in the Moc Chau district in Vietnam's Son La province
The visitor who shared these remarks is not pictured here.

Source: Al Jazeera

Others felt differently about the bridge.

a child clings to the railing on the Bach Long glass bridge in the Moc Chau district in Vietnam's Son La province
This child had perhaps the most relatable reaction.

a child lies down on the Bach Long glass bridge in the Moc Chau district in Vietnam's Son La province
Unveiling the bridge is one way Vietnam is trying to bring back tourism after the industry came to a standstill for much of the past two years due to COVID-19.

people stand on the Bach Long glass bridge in the Moc Chau district in Vietnam's Son La province
The country closed its borders to travelers in March 2020 and stopped issuances of tourist visas.

the Bach Long glass bridge in the Moc Chau district in Vietnam's Son La province
Around the start of the pandemic, Vietnam’s tourism department estimated COVID-19 could cost the country $4 billion in lost tourism in just three months.

people stand on the Bach Long glass bridge in the Moc Chau district in Vietnam's Son La province

Source: Business Insider

The country reopened its borders to international tourists this March, dropping its COVID-19 restrictions for foreign visitors.

a person walks on the Bach Long glass bridge in the Moc Chau district in Vietnam's Son La province
That means adventure-seekers from around the world can now behold the beauty — or terror — that is the Bach Long.

people walk on the Bach Long glass bridge in the Moc Chau district in Vietnam's Son La province
Read the original article on Business Insider

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