The structure amidst the natural beauty of Dong Tranh
These days, the number of visitors to the nine-tiered waterfall at the tomb of Mrs. Hoang Thi Loan - the mother of President Ho Chi Minh - is increasing. Everyone who comes here appreciates the beauty of the landscape and the cultural value of the structure.
Mr. Nguyen Danh Phuong, a tourist from Hanoi, said: “Visiting President Ho Chi Minh's birthplace this time, I had a new experience at the nine-tiered waterfall. This structure has added to the sacredness and beauty of Kim Lien's landscape.”
After a period of construction, the nine-tiered waterfall was inaugurated during the Lotus Village Festival in 2026. This structure holds special cultural and spiritual value, and is a deeply meaningful gift offered to Mrs. Hoang Thi Loan on the occasion of the 136th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birth.
The Nine-Tiered Waterfall is located within the complex of the tomb of Lady Hoang Thi Loan on Dong Tranh Mountain, in a protected forest valley spanning over 10 hectares, in Kim Lien commune, Nghe An province, about 6 km from the Hoang Tru and Lang Sen historical sites. This is the confluence of two small streams flowing from the tomb of Lady Hoang Thi Loan and the tomb of Nguyen Sinh Xin. The area has a basin-like topography, with a depression in the middle, also known as the dry stream area.
Amidst the tranquil natural beauty of Dong Tranh, the nine-tiered waterfall embodies simple, familiar elements connected to the life of Mrs. Hoang Thi Loan and Vietnamese women of the 19th century, such as mirrors, headscarves, lotus flowers, wells, and village gates, all stylized and blended into the space, evoking a journey back to historical memories.
The central area features a large lake, 21 meters in diameter, stylized to resemble a well or a mirror reflecting the natural surroundings. A circular border encircles the lake like a headscarf; the bottom of the lake is decorated with stylized motifs that serve as a backdrop for nine golden lotus flowers, creating a focal point.
Outside, there are seating areas for visitors to relax. The main space is connected by a small walkway paved with natural stones. At night, the lighting is subtly arranged, with just the right intensity of illumination, allowing the gentle walkway to blend into the nighttime mountain scenery.
The stream and waterfall area includes a rocky stream and 8 small lakes scattered along the stream banks, with a total stream length of approximately 100m. The area has been renovated, reinforced, and combined with the planting of low shrubs to create a scenic landscape. When in operation, water flows from the edge of the main lake through the waterfall channel into the stream.
The walking paths are designed to follow the local topography, allowing visitors to traverse different landscapes within the Dong Tranh mountain forest and offering diverse perspectives during their visit.
In particular, at the pedestrian bridge spanning the stream, visitors can stop and admire the water flowing from the main mirror-like lake down to Uyển Hồ, bringing them closer to the stream and allowing them to experience a meditative landscape.
According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Chi, Head of the Management Board of the Hoang Thi Loan Mausoleum, the nine-tiered waterfall is an open architectural structure that complements and expands the viewing area for locals and tourists visiting the mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh's mother. The designer strived to create a space that closely reflects the life of the mother from Lang Sen village: diligent, simple, and full of self-sacrifice…
The flow of water through nine tiers is a subtle concept of auspiciousness and eternity, like the whispers of the mountains and rivers recounting the stories of grandmothers and mothers; a reminder to descendants of kindness, righteousness, and self-sacrifice... It is the flow of time, of history, seamlessly connecting the past, present, and future, with gratitude and respect continuing to endure.
New experiences
In addition to expressing gratitude for the nurturing love of Mrs. Hoang Thi Loan, the mother of the great President Ho Chi Minh, the nine-tiered waterfall also meets the needs of people and tourists for sightseeing and visiting, contributing to the promotion and enhancement of the value of the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Area, a special national historical site in his homeland.
One of the notable highlights at the Kim Lien Special National Historical Site is the "Lighting Up Sen Village" night tourism program, which is being developed to create a new look for President Ho Chi Minh's birthplace.
As night falls, the streets, rooftops, lotus ponds, and memorial sites light up, creating harmony with the traditional rural landscape. This space not only adds to the appeal of the historical site but also gives visitors a feeling of closeness and peace as they stroll through the birthplace of President Ho Chi Minh.
Alongside experiential activities, significant investment is also being made in developing the landscape at tourist attractions. Many areas within the Kim Lien Historical Site will be renovated to both preserve the historical value and create a modern, friendly, and aesthetically pleasing tourist space.
Lighting systems not only highlight the beauty of architecture and landscapes but also contribute to the development of nighttime tourism products – a trend that many localities are effectively exploiting.
From the nine-tiered waterfall to new experiential programs, President Ho Chi Minh's hometown is gradually renewing its tourism products by combining historical and cultural values with ecological and community experiences. This is not only a way to enhance the attractiveness of the Kim Lien Special National Historical Site but also contributes to spreading the cultural and historical values of this traditionally rich land to tourists near and far.”
Mr. Nguyen Bao Tuan - Director of Kim Lien Special National Historical Site
Source: https://baonghean.vn/nhung-trai-nghiem-moi-khi-ve-tham-que-bac-10338099.html
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