Da Nang , Vietnam ( CNN ) -- As far as symbols of a resurgent country -- and city -- go , there can be few as bullish as a 666-meter-long ( 2,185 feet ) dragon-shaped bridge that breathes fire and spouts plumes of water . Opened last year in Vietnam 's central coast city of Da Nang , the Rong Cao ( Dragon Bridge ) is an award-winning , U.S.-designed marvel of engineering that 's become a favorite of residents and visitors , and an icon of the prosperous future this once sleepy town has its eye set on . Each weekend , after sunset , residents and visitors are treated to a pyrotechnic show that adds flair to what could have easily been a routine civil engineering project . The road is closed just before 9 p.m. , with crowds thronging the six-lane bridge . An expectant hush descends , and then , with a roar , the dragon 's head spits fearsome plumes of fire , followed by hissing clouds of water vapor . Spectators love it . Long a symbol of Asian prosperity , the dragon is an ideal image for a city on the rise , and has been taken to heart by the people who live here . Dragon-themed trinkets can be bought along the banks of the Han River , which the bridge spans , and nearby hotels take their name from the structure . Boat tours make the most of it -- prows are painted with the dragon 's likeness . Tourism opportunities . The Da Nang Department of Sports , Culture and Tourism expects the bridge to draw 3 million visitors to the city this year . As the de facto capital of Vietnam 's central coast and one of the country 's rising economic success stories , Da Nang is spending big on infrastructure to bring in tourism dollars . It 's positioning itself as a MICE ( meetings , incentives , conventions and exhibitions ) hub and as the gateway to the historically rich and scenic central coast region , which includes the tourist town of Hoi An to the south . As the city has developed , its interconnectedness has improved and the two banks of the Han are increasingly linked by a network of bridges . All are impressive structures , but none match the Dragon Bridge 's inventiveness . `` The Dragon Bridge has been the crowning achievement in the city 's bridge program , '' Nick Ivanoff , president of Ammann & Whitney , one of the key companies involved in the bridge 's creation , tells CNN . `` City officials have said it will likely become the new symbol of Da Nang . '' Ancient history . The dragon itself is modeled after one of the symbols of the Ly Dynasty , which ruled Vietnam a thousand years ago . `` In the year 1010 , King Ly Thai To moved Vietnam 's capital to Hanoi , '' says Nick Masucci , CEO of Louis Berger , a partner in the bridge 's design and construction . `` According to legend , upon arriving in Hanoi by boat , he saw a golden dragon rise into the sky from the Red River . Seeing this as a good omen , he named the city Thang Long ( soaring dragon ) . `` The dragon is one of the most important symbols in Vietnamese culture . It symbolizes power , nobility and good fortune . `` We believe the Dragon Bridge can be a symbol for Da Nang 's growth and development as an important transportation , educational and cultural center in central Vietnam . '' Light spectacle . In addition to the weekend shows of fire breathing , which take place at 9 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday , the bridge is illuminated each night with thousands of LED lights , which flow through the color spectrum , giving dynamic , dazzling views that reflect off the surface of the river . The bridge was inaugurated on March 29 , 2013 , to commemorate the country 's rich history -- both ancient and recent . The date was chosen to mark the 38th anniversary of the liberation of the city , and the end of the Vietnam War . Its creators , the firms Louis Berger and Ammann & Whitney , were recipients of the 2014 American Council of Engineering Companies ( ACEC ) National Engineering Excellence Award . Development centerpiece . The opening of the bridge not only gives Da Nang an instantly recognizable landmark , it 's done much for the city 's development in a remarkably short time . `` Before the bridge opened , the other side ( of the river ) was very poor . The government has supported the people with these developments , '' says Ngyuen Nan Dong , a restaurateur whose cafe sits near the western side of the bridge . `` Da Nang is a nice place , and the bridge adds identity to the city . It 's also developed the economy and cut down the time it takes to get to the airport . '' But what does this matter , when you have a real , fire-breathing dragon on your doorstep ? `` Its exciting , '' says Ngyuen . `` I like to take my ( 20-month-old ) daughter to see the show . ''
Fire-breathing dragon a new symbol of Da Nang , Vietnam 's fifth-largest city . Award-winning bridge central to city 's development . Instantly recognizable landmark fast becoming symbol of Da Nang .