The Ghềnh Bridge in Biên Hòa City, in the southern province of Đồng Nai, was hit by a passing barge on March 20.

The collision sent the middle span of the bridge crashing down into the water along with three unlucky commuters, while capsizing the barge.

The Ghềnh Bridge was built more than 100 years ago and is used for both railway and land transportation.

The bridge’s collapse has caused a lot of hard work for workers sent to fix it, and a lot of inconvenience to passers-by, but it has also brought good luck to some people. They are the owners of coffee shops near the bridge.

As the bridge was being repaired, a large number of people flocked to the scene to watch the work and shoot the ’unique state’ of the broken bridge. Grasping the chance, one of the coffee shop owners hung up a sign saying, “People watching the bridge must drink coffee and water.”

Đào, owner of the Phong Lan coffee shop, said that since the bridge collapsed, her shop’s income has increased sharply.

Previously she earned VNĐ500,000-600,000 (US$20-25) a day, but since the bridge collapsed, her income has doubled. It has even increased four or five-fold on the weekends when many reporters and local residents came to watch.

Some people’s bad luck may be lucky for others. So if you are unlucky, try not to be too pessimistic as you may be bringing good fortune to someone else. -- VNS