Con Son - One of the Most Visited Tourist Attractions in Vietnam
By Thanh Bui
Close to Hanoi, Con Son is both beautiful and historic, yet left off the majority of tourist itineraries. Pine forests, hundreds of years old, sweep down the mountain ranges to ancient pagodas and the views from the mountain top are spectacular.
The main draw of Con Son is Con Son mountain and the 13th century pagoda that sits as its base. One of the three centres of the Buddhist Truc Lam Trinity during the Tran Dynasty, the pagoda underwent restorations during the 17th and 18th centuries.
On the flat top of the mountain is the "White Cloud Temple", farther up sits the legendary "Fairy Chessboard"
The story goes that visitors arrived at the pagoda one clear day in autumn. They stayed the night then trekked to the mountain the following morning. Hearing laughter as they ascended they expected to see others atop the mountain. Upon arrival the scene was empty save for a chessboard left amid a game. The visitors concluded that some heavenly deities must have descended from the clouds to play, but flew back when they heard others approach.
The climb up Con Son Mountain isn't exactly arduous, but you'd be lucky not to break a sweat on a hot day. The 600 step, 200 metre incline, littered with sweet papers and empty bins disguised as tree trunks, is popular with Vietnamese and the odd foreigner and small confectionery stands selling water and soft drinks in old glass bottles dot the path
The view is worth the trek. Serene rather than spectacular, it looks down the mountain and over peaceful countryside and rice fields.
The Kiep Bac festival, held during the eighth lunar month, is of especial interest. It celebrates the victories of one of history's greatest generals, General Tran Hung Dao.
Con Son is an easy day trip from the capital. Those unafraid of adventurous driving can catch a bus from Gia Lam bus station to Hai Duong City and take taxis or motorbike taxis from there.
Close to Hanoi, Con Son is both beautiful and historic, yet left off the majority of tourist itineraries. Pine forests, hundreds of years old, sweep down the mountain ranges to ancient pagodas and the views from the mountain top are spectacular.
The main draw of Con Son is Con Son mountain and the 13th century pagoda that sits as its base. One of the three centres of the Buddhist Truc Lam Trinity during the Tran Dynasty, the pagoda underwent restorations during the 17th and 18th centuries.
On the flat top of the mountain is the "White Cloud Temple", farther up sits the legendary "Fairy Chessboard"
The story goes that visitors arrived at the pagoda one clear day in autumn. They stayed the night then trekked to the mountain the following morning. Hearing laughter as they ascended they expected to see others atop the mountain. Upon arrival the scene was empty save for a chessboard left amid a game. The visitors concluded that some heavenly deities must have descended from the clouds to play, but flew back when they heard others approach.
The climb up Con Son Mountain isn't exactly arduous, but you'd be lucky not to break a sweat on a hot day. The 600 step, 200 metre incline, littered with sweet papers and empty bins disguised as tree trunks, is popular with Vietnamese and the odd foreigner and small confectionery stands selling water and soft drinks in old glass bottles dot the path
The view is worth the trek. Serene rather than spectacular, it looks down the mountain and over peaceful countryside and rice fields.
The Kiep Bac festival, held during the eighth lunar month, is of especial interest. It celebrates the victories of one of history's greatest generals, General Tran Hung Dao.
Con Son is an easy day trip from the capital. Those unafraid of adventurous driving can catch a bus from Gia Lam bus station to Hai Duong City and take taxis or motorbike taxis from there.
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