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We chose the name Monkey Bridge Tours for its evocative nature and association with Vietnam.
What the Vietnamese call “monkey bridges” are temporary structures thrown across canals and waterways to get to the other side. Often made of bamboo, the bridges start with two x-shaped poles sunk upright into each muddy bank. The x-points are then joined together by cross-beams – one up, one across and then one down. Sounds simple but you need the dexterity of a monkey to cross over, even with hand-rails attached to the upright poles. They can be particularly tricky on wet and muddy days. Instantly familiar, the name always evokes a wry chuckle. Many city dwellers flatly refuse to venture across.
With Vietnam’s modernisation, there are fewer “monkey bridges”. However, they remain a familiar sight in rural Vietnam. We always stop to have a go. It’s not easy to cross a Monkey Bridge – or a culture gap. But we’ll help our passengers do both! |
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