The 987-metre bridge, running parallel with the existing Saigon Bridge was erected at a total cost of nearly VND1.5 trillion (US$70.5 million).
The Saigon 2 Bridge, which is six lanes and 23.5 metres wide, aims to ease traffic pressure in the northeast of Ho Chi Minh City.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Deputy PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc praised Ho Chi Minh City for making the bridge operational ahead of schedule.
According to the municipal transport head, the Saigon 2 Bridge is reserved for vehicles travelling from Binh Thanh District to District 2, while the Saigon Bridge is intended for vehicles crossing in the opposite direction.
The Saigon Bridge is now heavily overloaded, though it has been refurbished many times since it was completed in 1961.
