Ninh Binh: Towards making Non Nuoc Mountain Han Nom Inscriptions a World Documentary Heritage

Ninh Binh province has consulted international experts, scientists , and managers in the process of building and completing the nomination dossier for the inscription of "Han Nom inscriptions on Non Nuoc mountain, Van Giang ward, Hoa Lu city, Ninh Binh province" into the List of documentary heritage under the UNESCO Memory of the World Program in the Asia-Pacific region.

At the international scientific conference with the theme "Han Nom Inscriptions of Non Nuoc Mountain - Potential of Documentary Heritage" held on the afternoon of June 4, 2020, organized by the Department of Culture and Sports of Ninh Binh province in coordination with the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, the Institute of Han Nom Studies, Director of the Institute of Han Nom Studies Nguyen Tan Cuong said that the profound academic exchanges, new discoveries and enthusiastic proposals presented at the conference not only enriched the awareness of the Han Nom Inscriptions of Non Nuoc Mountain heritage but also provided solid scientific arguments for the construction of a dossier to nominate UNESCO to recognize this as a Documentary Heritage of Humanity.

Dr. Helen Jarvis, Chair of the Records Subcommittee of the UNESCO Memory of the World Committee for the Asia-Pacific region, speaks at the workshop. (Photo: Thuy Dung/VNA)

At the workshop, delegates focused on discussing and clarifying important issues such as counting, identifying, evaluating the historical, cultural, heritage and scientific values of the Han Nom Inscription system in the context of the Non Nuoc Mountain Special National Historical Relic and Scenic Landscape Complex; issues related to the preservation, restoration, promotion and exploitation of the historical-cultural and socio-economic values of the Non Nuoc Inscription heritage in the context of heritage economic development; domestic and international experiences and models in the management and exploitation of documentary heritage in accordance with the goals of local socio-economic development.

Non Nuoc Mountain (also known as Duc Thuy Son, Bang Son, Son Thuy, Thuy Son, Ho Thanh Son...) is located at the confluence of Van River and Day River, in Van Giang ward, Hoa Lu city, Ninh Binh province.

From the south, the mountain looks like a lotus blooming on the banks of the Van River. From the north, it looks like a bird perched on the water. The road to the top of the mountain has 198 stone steps. On the mountain, there are many natural trees and grasses, green all year round.

Non Nuoc Mountain is associated with many historical events of the country through different historical periods, including the event of Queen Mother Duong giving the royal robe to Le Hoan on the Van River wharf, at the foot of Non Nuoc Mountain, implementing the transfer of power from the Dinh Dynasty to the Tien Le Dynasty.

During the Dai Co Viet State period, Non Nuoc Mountain was the outpost of the ancient Hoa Lu capital. During the resistance war against colonialism and imperialism, Non Nuoc Mountain was the place to rally the people's fighting spirit against foreign invaders.

Not only that, this mountain is also the place that preserves the material and spiritual imprints (poems, inscriptions on the cliffs) of many kings, many mandarins, nobles, famous people and poets of our country from thousands of years ago.

The most unique thing about Non Nuoc is that there are over 40 poems carved into the mountain and hundreds of poems describing the scenery by poets and famous people through the dynasties such as Truong Han Sieu, Nguyen Trai, Pham Su Manh, Le Thanh Tong, Le Hien Tong, and Ngo Thi Nham.

The carvings on the cliffs are not only valuable literary works but also elaborate sculptural works of high aesthetic value, harmoniously distributed on flat, vertical cliffs, enhancing the beauty and crystallizing the cultural value of Non Nuoc mountain.

Professor, Doctor Dinh Khac Thuan, Tran Nhan Tong Institute, Hanoi National University, affirmed that the poems and steles of the Tran Dynasty carved and written on Duc Thuy Mountain are extremely valuable historical and literary sources, preserving many historical evidences and traces with specific historical figures and specific historical events.

Poems composed by ancient literati and carved into Non Nuoc mountain. (Photo: Minh Duc/VNA)

According to statistics, there are a total of 63 steles on the mountain, including 53 in Chinese characters and 6 in Vietnamese. However, over a long period of time, under the impact of nature, war and some other factors, only 43 steles remain on the mountain; including 37 in Chinese-Nom characters and 6 in Vietnamese. All of the steles have been transcribed, translated and translated into poetry.

With special historical and cultural values, the historical relic and scenic spot of Non Nuoc mountain was recognized as a National Monument in 1962 and a Special National Monument in 2019.

In order to preserve and promote the value of the Non Nuoc Mountain Special National Monument, Ninh Binh province has proposed to include Non Nuoc Mountain and Canh Dieu Mountain in the Plan for preservation, restoration and rehabilitation of the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Special National Monument until 2030, with a vision to 2050, with the theme space of preserving and promoting heritage values as Acquisition.

In recent times, Ninh Binh city has paid attention to investing in renovating and embellishing some items of Non Nuoc mountain such as the road to the top of the mountain, flagpole, and wind bridge... to meet the sightseeing needs of local people and tourists.

The city also regularly inspects and promptly carries out activities to protect, preserve and restore the original state of the steles on the cliffs, preventing tree roots and moss from negatively affecting the engravings.

In addition to promoting propaganda, education, raising awareness and sense of responsibility for preserving heritage for the people, the province also promotes research, exploration, collection and additional research to further clarify the outstanding values of the relic.

With its unique historical, cultural and documentary values, Non Nuoc Mountain has become an attractive destination for tourists. This is also a familiar address for schools in the province when implementing educational content on local history and culture./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/ninh-binh-huong-toi-dua-van-khac-han-nom-nui-non-nuoc-la-di-san-tu-lieu-the-gioi-post1042509.vnp