What is a 'Monkey Bridge'?

‘Monkey bridge’ is the English term for ‘cau khi,’ a simple kind of bridge made of bamboo, so called because it was said that only monkeys could manage to cross it. At its most basic, a single bamboo pole spans the channel, with a thin bamboo handrail to assist with balance, but useless in preventing a tumble into the murky water.

Although the local people are adept at scampering across, it is impossible for all but the lightest foreigner to avoid a dip.More complicated versions involve additional poles lashed with vines and mangrove roots, later supplanted by wire and nylon binding.For wider spans, intermediate poles were driven into the silt to support the main structure – some were capable of bearing the weight of a motorbike.They can be found mainly, but not exclusively, in the Mekong Delta, where they are used to link up the myriad of tiny islets caused by the many crisscrossing waterways and narrow channels.

Recently, the government has been working on a programme of replacing 80% of the Mekong’s monkey bridges with concrete structures – good news for the locals, but not for tourists who don’t have to put up with the inconvenience. The new bridges are certainly not aesthetically pleasing, but they are a metre wide and are opening up new opportunities for the poor farmers in the area.

Travellers needn’t despair, though - there are still plenty of places where building a new bridge isn't worth the cost and effort. Away from the main routes, those of an adventurous disposition can still find opportunities to test their nerves and balance.