Typical tangible cultural heritage of Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh – a land with a rich history and culture, possessing abundant and diverse tangible and intangible cultural heritage resources of outstanding value, deeply rooted in its unique cultural identity, and possessing all the potential and strengths for rapid and sustainable development.

Ninh Binh currently boasts nearly 2,000 historical and cultural relics and scenic spots, including 81 national-level classified relics (3 of which are special national-level classified relics), 5 national treasures, 314 provincial-level classified relics, and 393 inventoried intangible cultural heritage items; reflecting relatively comprehensively the material and spiritual life of the people of Ninh Binh in particular, and Vietnamese people in general, from the past to the present. Among them, the most prominent are the 3 special national relics: the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital historical and architectural site; the Trang An-Tam Coc-Bich Dong scenic area; and the Non Nuoc Mountain historical and scenic site.

Historical and architectural relics of the ancient capital of Hoa Lu (located in Hoa Lu district):

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is a special national historical site, classified as a national-level site by the Ministry of Culture in the first wave of national rankings in 1962. In 2012, it was officially recognized as a special national historical site. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital was the first capital of the Dai Co Viet State, the first centralized feudal state, and the birthplace of three dynasties: the Dinh, the Early Le, and the beginning of the Ly dynasty in the 10th century.

Along with Thang Long- Hanoi and Hue, Hoa Lu was one of the three long-term stable capitals of Dai Viet - a unified Vietnam. The ancient capital of Hoa Lu still preserves many relics related to the Dinh and Early Le dynasties, with diverse types of worship such as tombs, temples, pagodas, and palaces.

Among these relics, the most representative and distinctive are the temples dedicated to King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh. The temple dedicated to King Dinh Tien Hoang is a place of worship for King Dinh, a national hero who subdued and quelled the rebellion of the 12 warlords, unified the country, and established the Dai Co Viet State—the first centralized feudal state in Vietnamese history—in 968.

This temple, along with the temple dedicated to King Le Dai Hanh next door, is the cultural space where the traditional Hoa Lu Festival takes place (held from the 8th to the 10th of March in the lunar calendar every year).

The Trang An - Tam Coc - Bich Dong scenic area (located in Hoa Lu district, Gia Vien district, Nho Quan district and Ninh Binh city):

Typical tangible cultural heritage of Ninh Binh — Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex. Photo: Manh Thang

Recognized as a Special National Monument in 2012, it possesses numerous values in terms of natural landscape, architecture, and geological and geomorphological features for Vietnam and the world . It features many caves of diverse forms and types. The natural landscape (Ngo Dong River, Ca Cave, Hai Cave, Ba Cave, etc.) harmoniously combines with architectural structures (Thai Vi Temple, Bich Dong Pagoda, etc.) to create a stunning scenery.

Trang An possesses a treasure trove of Earth's history and a unique geomorphological form; it contains a wealth of information about prehistoric people. With its distinct and outstanding cultural and natural values, in 2014, the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex was recognized by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site. This is the first mixed cultural and natural heritage site in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

The Tam Coc-Bich Dong tourist area is likened to a "dry Halong Bay," a picturesque landscape that is both romantic and poetic. Nature has generously bestowed upon this place a stunning collection of scenic spots, with a system of shallow caves and water-filled caverns, and mountain and river formations that seem straight out of fairy tales and legends.

Historical site and scenic spot of Non Nuoc Mountain (Ninh Binh city):

Ranked as a national scenic site in 1962 and a special national historical site in 2019, Non Nuoc Mountain is associated with many historical events of the country through different historical periods: During the Dai Co Viet State period, Non Nuoc Mountain was a forward outpost of the ancient Hoa Lu capital; during the resistance against colonialism and imperialism, Non Nuoc Mountain was a place to rally the fighting spirit of the people against foreign invaders…

Non Nuoc Mountain is located at the confluence of the Van and Day rivers. Viewed from the south, it resembles a lotus flower blooming on the banks of the Van River; viewed from the north, it looks like a bird perched on the water's surface. It has been the subject of poems and verses by kings, heroes, famous figures, and poets throughout history.

The mountain contains approximately 50 inscribed poems and hundreds of eulogies, forming an important source of information in Vietnam's literary treasury. The path to the summit has nearly 200 stone steps. The summit is relatively flat and features a moon-gazing pavilion, also known as Nghênh Phong Các, which has been restored and renovated several times on its original foundation. Non Nước Mountain is now a popular tourist attraction in Ninh Bình city.

Tien Minh

Source