Thanh Lan island commune, also known as Thanh Lam, belongs to Huong Hoa district, Van Hai district, Nghieu Phong district, now Co To district, Quang Ninh province. During the Dong Khanh period (1886-1888), Thanh Lan island commune was also called Van La island[1] located in the east of Chang Son island (large Co To island today).

Van is a Nom noun meaning "village of people who make fishing boats, usually on rivers and seas" and also means "countless" expressing abundance and richness. La means "fishing net". The two swastikas symbolize the richness of the "green oasis" next to Thanh Lam bay (an area with turquoise sea water, embodying luck, peace and stability), and also express the desire of ancient fishermen about a prosperous life "the net is full of fish".

In the flow of Vietnam's maritime culture, fishing boats are places that preserve lifestyle identities and customs, expressing the breath of fishermen's life "eating the waves and talking about the wind". Naming the island Van La shows the belief and admiration for the survival and development of the fishermen present here from their livelihood and adaptation to the sea and island.

The Van La bridge project connects Village 2 and Village 1 in Thanh Lan commune, not only meeting the needs of small boats entering the ship lock to avoid storms, but also completing a part of coastal transport infrastructure, contributing to economic and social development. and tourism of the island commune. The project is a highlight of beautiful landscape architecture in the center of the Commune, a tourist destination associated with Thanh Lan Flagpole Complex, Village 2 Temple, Thanh Lan Church and serves tourism.

Van La Bridge is designed with a design live load of 0.45HL93, pedestrian load of 3kN/m2 according to TCVN 11823:2017. The bridge cross section is 7.0m wide; of which: The railing edge is 0.5m on each side, the vehicle width is 6.0m. The design frequency of flood water is 1%; The boat's clearance is 15x4m wide. Design earthquake load level V with earthquake acceleration coefficient A=0.0165. The upper structure consists of 3 steel arch spans of 9.0+28.5+9.0m, the main span has an arch height from the bridge deck to the center of the arch H=5m; The two abutments M1 and M2 are made of reinforced concrete (RC) with foundations placed on 02 bored piles. Pillar structure made of reinforced concrete with pier foundation placed on 02 D1.0m bored piles.

Van La Bridge was conceptualized by Dr. Nguyen Viet Dung, Secretary of the District Party Committee, Chairman of the District People's Committee and proposed and researched by Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Hau, lecturer at the University of Transport and Communications, a university with many enthusiastic contributions to the island district. Co To. The bridge was assigned by the People's Committee of Co To District to the District Construction Investment Project Management Board as the investor. The total investment in constructing Van La bridge is 14.98 billion VND from the National Target Program for New Rural Construction and other legally mobilized capital sources; Construction begins in June 2024, completed in December 2024.