Under the contract, IHI and Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Company will implement the most important among three tender packages and a northern-approach viaduct for the bridge, according to a statement on the government’s website.

At the signing ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai said the event is an important step in building the bridge, which will cross Hong (Red) River once it is completed by October, 2012.

He also said Vietnam appreciates the Japanese government’s monetary support for the VND13.6 trillion ($764 million) project. The eight-lane Nhat Tan suspension bridge, which will span nearly 3.7km long, is funded mainly by loans from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.

Once completed, the cable-stayed bridge will link Hanoi’s central area with industrial zones in the north, including the North Thang Long-Van Tri, Dong Anh-Co Loa, and Gia Lam-Sai Dong-Yen Vien, and decrease travel time from the city center to Noi Bai International Airport.