Amid the peaceful countryside of the Red River Delta, Chợ Thượng Tiled Bridge stands out as an ancient architectural landmark preserved for hundreds of years. Spanning the Ngọc River, the bridge is not only a piece of transport infrastructure resembling an old-style house, but also carries the story of a daughter of Thượng Nông village, Lady Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Xuân, a royal concubine of Lord Trịnh, who contributed to its construction.
Chợ Thượng Tiled Bridge, also known as Thượng Nông Tiled Bridge, is located in Thượng Nông hamlet, Nam Minh commune, Ninh Bình province. It crosses the Ngọc River and lies next to the site of the old Thượng market. The bridge was built around the 18th century, during the Later Lê dynasty, in connection with the charitable contributions of Lady Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Xuân, a concubine of Lord Trịnh and a native of Thượng Nông.

The bridge is about 17.35 meters long and has 11 bays. It is built mainly of ironwood (lim) and roofed with traditional "Nam" tiles. Brick walls at both ends form entrances with an antique appearance. On the two gable ends, four Chinese characters, "Thượng gia hạ kiều" (literally "house above, bridge below"), are embossed, directly affirming the architectural character of the structure. The bridge was also closely tied to Thượng market, a trading space for local residents. Its position beside the river and the market made it more than a transport link: it became a place where people met, exchanged goods, and socialized.
Alongside architectural conservation, promoting the bridge's value in tourism can be linked to heritage tour routes, rural cultural experiences, and visits to other ancient bridges in Ninh Bình. If stories about the bridge's history, its founder, its architectural techniques, and community life are presented in a lively way, visitors will not merely "come to see a bridge" but gain a deeper understanding of a cross-section of the region's culture.
Chợ Thượng Tiled Bridge has been recognized as a national historical and cultural relic, affirming its exceptional historical and architectural value. After more than three centuries, the bridge still stands beside the Ngọc River as a witness of time, connecting the past with the everyday life of the people of Ninh Bình today.