Cau bridge, a symbol of Hoi An ancient town in central Vietnam.

Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Kieu Cu said on Tuesday that a maximum of 20 persons will be allowed  on the bridge at a time. The bridge was built by Japanese merchants in the 17th century, followed by the construction of a pagoda adjacent to its northern corridor.

Listed as a national cultural relic in 1990, the 20m long bridge receives 4,000 visitors each day. Although it has been restored many times, the bridge is now damaged and at risk of collapsing. A symposium  is scheduled this year to review all risks facing the bridge and seek the best renovation option.