Legend of the Gianh River

In the clear light of geography, having weathered the ups and downs of the times and flowing on as a witness to history, Quang Binh would like to name the river Gianh.

The Gianh River, over 150km long, originates in the Truong Son mountain range and flows through only one province, Quang Binh, before emptying into the East Sea. It is also the largest of the province's five rivers.

The people of this land are therefore always proud of the folk song about the river that has been connected to their origins for generations:

"The Gianh River has three sources in total."

The Nan source, the Nay source, and also the Son source.

With sincere devotion, let it be complete.

"In the future, when they build their careers, their descendants will benefit from it."

In fact, the Gianh River also has a fourth source (the Tro source) that formed it. Among these sources, the most famous is the section of the Son River flowing through Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park.

That stretch of river flows gently like a peaceful green silk ribbon, contributing to the formation of magnificent limestone caves. And if anyone has ever had the chance to travel on the North-South train to Quang Binh, seeing majestic limestone mountains on one side, a poetic river on the other, and a road winding like a dragon, then they have surely reached the middle section of the Gianh River - the most beautiful part of the entire route.

Legend says the dragon's head is located in Le Son, which is also the leading village among the "Eight Famous Villages" of the province: Le Son - La Ha - Canh Duong - Tho Ngoa - Van La - Vo Xa - Co Hien - Kim Nai; not only are they renowned for their picturesque mountains and rivers and rich culture, but also for their glorious scholarly achievements.

Heritage Magazine