Ham Rong Thanh Hoa or Ham Rong (Dragon’s jaw) is a complex of historical, cultural relics in Thanh Hoa province, north central coast of Vietnam. This place is associated with the historic victory of Ham Rong in the resistance war (1955-1975).
With a total area of 568ha, the complex consists of Ham Rong Bridge, Ham Rong Mountain, Tien Son Cave, Long Quang Cave, Ngoc Mountain, Canh Tien Mountain, Truc Lam Ham Rong Zen Monastery, temple of Thanh Hoa’s heroic mothers and martyrs, Dong Son Ancient Village.
Ham Rong Bridge
The first image which reminds about the Ham Rong victory is Ham Rong Bridge spanning Ma River, nearly 5km to the north of Thanh Hoa City’s centre. Built in 1904 according to arch style with steel buttresses, the bridge was considered as the most modern bridge in Indochina at that time.
On the 3rd and 4th April 1965, Thanh Hoa’s army and people fought with fortitude, shot down 47 aircrafts, captured many pilots, protected the bridge safety and ensure through traffic. After many raids, Ham Rong Bridge becomes the symbol for the resilience and patriotism of Thanh Hoa.
Ham Rong Mountain
Ham Rong Mountain is about 2km long, stretching from Duong Xa Village, Thieu Duong Commune, Thieu Hoa District along the right bank of Ma River to the foot of Ham Rong Bridge. The mountain looks like a 9-segment dragon stooping to drink Ma River’s water. The specific topographical feature makes this area become the firm air defense fortification during the war.
Ham Rong Mountain is surrounded by immense pine hills and romantic valley, caves of Long Quang and Tien Son. From Long Quang Cave’s entrance, visitors can admire panorama of Thanh Hoa City. With charming scenery, Long Quang Cave attracted many celebrities such as Nguyen Trai, Le Thanh Tong, Cao Ba Quat, Pham Su Manh…
Many poems in praise of the landscapes of Ham Rong Mountain and Ma River from Later Le Dynasty were carved in the stone walls inside the cave.
Tien Son Cave
Tien Son Cave is located in Ham Rong mountain. Inside the cave there is a stalactite system with various shapes such as Jade Emperor, fair, god of thunderbolt, dragon, phoenix…
Pearl Mountain
The Pearl Mountain is located on the northern bank of Ma River, opposite to Ham Rong Mountain. From a distance, the posture of Pearl and Ham Rong mountains looks like the dragon playing with pearl. Canh Tien Mountain is located next to Pearl Mountain. There the artillery was placed to protect Ham Rong Bridge.
Today, the word “Quyet Thang” (Determined victory) is carved in the slope of the mountain as an affirmation of resilient struggle tradition of Thanh Hoa’s army and people.
Thanh Hoa heroic mothers temple
Situated in Canh Tien Mountain, the temple of Thanh Hoa’s heroic mothers and martyrs is a must-see spiritual site for visitors when visiting Ham Rong Thanh Hoa. The temple aims to gratitude the mothers, heroic martyrs who died for the peace of their homeland.
The temple highlights with the large scale and harmonious combination of traditional and modern architecture. With a total area of 15ha, the temple includes the typical architectural items such as three-door gate, four-pillar gate, semicircular lake, main temple, bell tower, memorial stele…
Truc Lam Ham Rong Zen Monastery
With a total area of 40,000m², Truc Lam Ham Rong Zen Monastery is one of the unique spiritual cultural works in Ham Rong Thanh Hoa. This is the place for practicing of Buddhists. The work includes the three-door gate, sanctum, ancestors’ house, bell tower, drum tower, preaching house, zen house, wharf and other auxiliary items.
Dong Son Ancient Village
Dong Son Ancient Village is situated in the south bank of Ma River. The village faces the river wharf and backs to Ham Rong Mountain. Dong Son Ancient Village still retains the typical architecture of a Vietnamese traditional village such as the village gate, communal house, and dozens of old houses.
The village also preserves many unique tangible and intangible cultural heritage as Duc Thanh Ca Temple, Mau Temple, Am Van Pagoda, Bo De Pagoda, Trung Communal House, Le Dynasty’s Temple…
The artifacts excavated in Dong Son Ancient Village (agricultural tools, weapons, pottery, jewelry, bronze drums) show that Dong Son was an agricultural village.
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