Authorities in Hoi An have repainted the Japanese Pagoda Bridge darker after public complaints that its recent renovation made the historic structure appear too new and modern.
The sides of the bridge were initially painted white during renovation work. Some members of the public said the color diminished the bridge’s ancient appearance and made it look out of place. On Tuesday, the unit responsible for the work applied a darker shade intended to harmonize more closely with the bridge’s base, according to Hoi An chairman Nguyen Van Son.
Known as Chua Cau, the bridge spans a small canal in Hoi An and was built by Japanese merchants about 400 years ago. It has held national historical and cultural heritage status since 1990.
The repainting follows broader restoration work prompted by deterioration to the bridge’s sides. The structure is regularly exposed to the elements and degrades quickly, despite having undergone seven rounds of renovation, according to the source report.
The color change reflects an effort to balance the needs of restoration with the appearance associated with the bridge’s historic character. The report does not provide further details about the renovation methods or whether additional work is planned.
