Top 7 Famous Landmarks in Nga Son - Thanh Hoa

Lê Thị Hoa was a female general during the reign of the Trưng Sisters, who led the resistance against the Eastern Han invaders in the Nga Son region. After defeating the oppressive general Tô Định and driving the invading forces out of the country, the Trưng Sisters declared themselves queens and established an independent government. Lê Thị Hoa, however, declined an official position and chose to return to Nga Son to continue her work organizing the local people for land reclamation, village establishment, and coastal expansion. In 43 AD, the Han general Mã Viện launched a major military campaign to suppress the rebellion, and despite Lê Thị Hoa's determined defense, she was tragically killed in battle on the land she had fought to cultivate. Her loyalty to her people and her heroic sacrifice are honored by the people of Nga Son, who built a temple in her name in Nga Thiện (Nga Son), which still stands today. The temple inscribes a pair of immortal couplets:

"Vow to avenge Tô Định, eliminate the northern invaders."

"Loyal to the Trưng Sisters, restore the southern nation."

Tiên Pagoda is located in Xóm 6, Nga An Commune, Nga Son District, Thanh Hoa Province. Covering an area of hectares, the pagoda is set in a tranquil and picturesque landscape, making it an ideal spot for visitors to explore and reflect on Buddhist teachings. It’s a place where you can find peace and serenity, offering a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

A visit to Nga Son is incomplete without stopping by Tiên Pagoda. The natural beauty and the peaceful environment of this place offer a perfect escape. When you arrive at Tiên Pagoda, it feels as though you've entered another world, a world of stillness and calm. Though only about 500 meters from National Route 10, once you step onto the path leading to the pagoda, the noise of the outside world fades away. Instead, you're greeted by the sweet songs of birds, the lush greenery of dense forests, and the majestic mountains, with the ancient pagoda’s roof peeking through the trees.

Inside the pagoda grounds, a sense of tranquility envelops you. The area is filled with the greenery of tall trees, including fruit-bearing longan trees, fragrant plumeria flowers, and a vast field of Thèn Én trees, which are used to make incense in the pagoda. You may hear the distant sound of bells, gongs, and monks chanting, which further deepens the peaceful atmosphere, making you feel as though you’ve stepped into a sacred space.

Archaeological discoveries at Tiên Pagoda were made in 1974, revealing a 500m² area with a cultural layer 60cm thick, containing ancient pottery shards. According to legend, the pagoda is tied to the famous story of Từ Thức, where it is said that this was the site of the Peach Blossom Festival, where Từ Thức met Giáng Hương for the first time. The pagoda has undergone various phases of growth and change, reflecting the evolving history of the nation.

Walking through the pagoda’s grounds, you’ll find yourself at peace, surrounded by nature and sacred space. The courtyard is modest in size but exceptionally airy, with a distant lotus pond featuring a statue of Avalokitesvara (Quan Thế Âm) looking benevolently upon all beings. The pagoda’s inner sanctum is simple yet profoundly solemn, with statues of compassionate Buddhas, which remind you of life’s fleeting nature and inspire deep reflection on Buddhist teachings.

Today, Tiên Pagoda is recognized as a national cultural heritage site, which is a great honor for the people of Nga Son and Nga An. This recognition also brings the responsibility of preserving and maintaining the site, ensuring that future generations can appreciate its cultural and spiritual significance. A visit to Tiên Pagoda, combined with the region’s rich culinary offerings, provides a wonderful opportunity to experience both the spiritual and worldly treasures of this land.

Vân Hoàn Pagoda, formerly known as Sùng Nghiêm Linh Tự and later renamed Vân Lỗi Pagoda, is the first major pagoda in Nga Son District to be recorded in historical texts. According to the inscriptions on the stone tablets surrounding the pagoda, it was built during the Ly Dynasty (around the 12th to 14th century).

The monks who chose the site for this pagoda carefully selected a beautiful location. The pagoda is marked by 11 stone inscriptions carved into the rock face. One inscription by the poet Phạm Ni Hạnh describes the surroundings: "To the east, there are villages and homes bustling with life, making it a gathering place for prominent families. To the south, the great river flows towards the vast sea, offering a boundless space for the world. To the north, a major road connects to the coastal region, making it an ideal resting place for both strangers and locals."

In Phạm Ni Hạnh’s inscription, it is clear that the purpose of building the pagoda was to pray for the living and the deceased, guiding them to the realm of peace, and to save all beings from suffering. He describes the Buddhist atmosphere in the area: "The gods of the mountains protect the donors, with offerings made from morning to evening, bringing prosperity and wealth." During the resistance against French colonial forces, the people of Vân Hoàn used the pagoda to hide and protect Mother Trần Xuân Soạn, allowing him to focus on leading the Ba Đình army. In May 1950, the Third Party Congress of Nga Sơn District was held at Vân Lỗi Pagoda, marking the historic resolution to successfully defend the village. The pagoda was also the site of the founding congress of the Kim Sơn District Party Committee in Ninh Bình Province.

Ba Đình Resistance Base is a national historical site located in Ba Đình commune, about 3 km northwest of Nga Sơn town, Thanh Hóa. This area served as the main base for the Ba Đình uprising against French colonial forces in the late 19th century, led by Đinh Công Tráng, Phạm Bành, and Hoàng Bật Đạt.

Originally, this region was a swampy, waterlogged area encompassing three villages: Mậu (Mậu Thịnh), Thượng (Thượng Thọ), and Mỹ Khê. Each village had its own communal house, and from these, one could see the houses of the other two villages. Additionally, the three villages shared a common temple in Mỹ Khê, called the Tam Đình.

In July 1885, after the fall of the imperial capital Huế, Tôn Thất Thuyết led Emperor Hàm Nghi to the Tân Sở resistance base (in Quảng Trị), issuing the Cần Vương edict calling for nationwide resistance against the French. In Thanh Hóa, local patriots like Đinh Công Tráng, along with officials such as Phạm Bành and Hoàng Bật Đạt, rallied to join the cause. Although the uprisings began independently, the various military leaders soon formed alliances to coordinate their attacks against French forces. In March 1886, the leaders of the Cần Vương movement in Thanh Hóa met at Đồng Biên (Bồng Trung, now Vĩnh Tâm commune, Vĩnh Lộc district) to strategize their plans. They decided to establish a primary base in the northern plains of Nga Sơn to protect the gateway to Central Vietnam and use it as a launching pad for operations against the French in the lowlands. In addition to the main base, there were several supporting bases, such as the ones in Quảng Hóa (led by Trần Xuân Soạn), Phi Lai (led by Cao Điển), and Mã Cao (led by Hà Văn Mao), all linked together in a coordinated resistance system.

Regarded as one of the most beautiful caves in Thanh Hóa, Từ Thức Cave, also known as Bích Đào Cave, located in Nga Thiện commune, Nga Sơn district, has captivated many visitors with its dazzling, mystical colors, much like the love story of Từ Thức and the fairy Giáng Hương, which has been passed down through generations. The cave is nestled in the majestic Tam Điệp mountain range, bordering Kim Sơn district in Ninh Bình, and is considered one of the most stunning caves tied to the legend of a mortal meeting a fairy.

According to the legend, Từ Thức was from Tống Sơn, now part of Hà Trung district in Thanh Hóa, and served as a magistrate in Tiên Du, Bắc Ninh. Từ Thức was known for his love of traveling, admiring nature, and composing poetry. During one of his flower-viewing trips, he encountered a beautiful maiden and, while admiring the flowers, accidentally broke a branch of a peony tree, leading the monks to hold him captive. In his efforts to make amends, Từ Thức gave up his fine silk robe to free the girl. Later, feeling detached from worldly affairs, he resigned from his official duties and returned to his homeland to live a peaceful life.

One day, as he gazed out over the Thần Phù sea, Từ Thức saw a multicolored cloud shaped like a lotus blossom. He rowed his boat toward the mountains and found himself lost in the Bích Đào cave. Upon entering, he discovered a grand palace and was welcomed by the owner, who introduced him to her daughter, Giáng Hương, whom he married. To his surprise, Giáng Hương was the same girl he had once helped with his robe when he was a magistrate.

They lived together happily for a year, but Từ Thức eventually longed to visit his hometown. Understanding his feelings, Giáng Hương prepared a cart and sealed a farewell letter for him. Upon returning home, Từ Thức was shocked to find that everything had changed, and when he asked an old man with white hair, he learned that the man was his grandson. He had been gone for so long. Từ Thức sought to return to the fairy realm with Giáng Hương, but the heavenly cart had disappeared. Opening the letter, he read Giáng Hương's farewell message. Heartbroken and despondent, he journeyed southwest along the Hoàng Sơn mountain range (in Hoàng Sơn commune, Nông Cống district) and vanished, never to be seen again. From that point on, Bích Đào cave became known as Từ Thức Cave.

Mai An Tiêm Temple is located in Nga Phú commune, Nga Sơn district, about 5 kilometers northeast of the district center. The modest temple is nestled on the side of a mountain, yet it holds a legendary tale passed down through generations. The temple's architecture is simple, built in the traditional Vietnamese style with a five-room front hall (Tiền Bái) and a four-room inner sanctum (Hậu cung). It follows the design of a typical Vietnamese communal house and temple, complete with a four-pillar gate. The interior is solemn and tidy. Visitors to the temple of the legendary figure Mai An Tiêm, the man who is credited with creating the red watermelon, often leave with a sense of admiration for the symbol of perseverance, diligence, and creativity in overcoming hardships.

According to legend, during the reign of the sixth Hung King, Mai Yển, whose courtesy name was An Tiêm, was a former minister of the Ministry of Rites. Due to his many contributions, the king held him in high regard and married him to his daughter. However, his rise to favor led to jealousy and envy among the lạc hầu (court officials) and lạc tướng (military commanders), who sought to bring him down. One day, after offending the king, Mai Yển and his family were exiled to a desolate island. While stranded there, the crows brought fruit to eat, and Mai Yển, after chasing them away, tasted the fruit and found it to be exceptionally sweet. He planted the seeds, and the first harvest produced a fruit that sustained his family. This fruit later became known as the watermelon. As the watermelon crop continued to grow, Mai Yển carved messages on the rind and sent the fruits floating on the sea. When the royal court discovered these fruits on the shore, they reported it to the king, who was moved by the gesture and the fact that Mai Yển and his family were still alive and had not forgotten him. In gratitude, the king ordered his return to the mainland and restored his title.

The deep cultural significance of this legend led to the official recognition of the temple in 1910, during the reign of Emperor Duy Tân. The village of Ngoại, in Nga Sơn, was granted the honor of worshiping Mai An Tiêm as a deity who protected and prospered the land. Later, in the ninth year of the reign of Emperor Khải Định, the title of Đoan túc tôn thần (Sacred and Revered Deity) was officially bestowed upon Mai An Tiêm, with the village continuing its worship according to national customs.

In 1989, Mai An Tiêm Temple in Nga Phú commune, Nga Sơn district, was classified as a provincial historical and cultural monument. Each year, from the 12th to the 15th day of the third lunar month, the local government and community hold a festival to honor Mai An Tiêm, the hero who opened up new territories and pioneered agricultural practices in the region. The image of Mai An Tiêm and the legend of the watermelon represent the enduring spirit of the Vietnamese people in the early days of nation-building.

Thần Phù Sea Gate (Chinese: 神符海口), also known as Thần Đầu (神投) or Thần Thụ (神授), was once a critical and treacherous sea gate located on the ancient waterway route that the Vietnamese used to advance southward. This gate became the subject of numerous captivating legends and historical accounts. Today, the Thần Phù Sea Gate is no longer directly at the coast due to the sediment deposited over time, and it now lies more than 10 kilometers inland. In the past, it was part of Ninh Bình province; however, during the Nguyễn dynasty, part of the area was separated and annexed to Thanh Hóa province. The Thần Phù Sea Gate is now located along the Nhà Lê River, marking the boundary between Yên Lâm and Yên Mô in Ninh Bình and Nga Điền, Nga Sơn in Thanh Hóa. This region, along with the Tam Điệp mountain range, serves as the dividing line between the northern and southern regions of Vietnam.

According to the historical text *Nam Ông Mộng Lục*, during the reign of King Lý Thái Tông, when he led his troops south to defeat the Champa Kingdom, he encountered violent winds and waves at this sea gate that made it impossible for his fleet to proceed. Fortunately, a skilled wizard appeared and used his magical powers to calm the stormy sea, allowing the king to continue his journey. However, the wizard died along the way as the king returned. In honor of the wizard's contribution, the king ordered a temple to be built at the sea gate and bestowed the title of "Áp Lãng Chân Nhân Đại Vương" (Great Immortal Who Calms the Sea). This location was then named the Thần Phù Sea Gate. Today, the temple and its remnants can still be found in the villages of Yên Phẩm, Phù Sa, Anh Tốt, and Đông Yên in Yên Lâm, Yên Mô district, Ninh Bình province.