1. Nui Non Nuoc: Heritage in the heart of the ancient capital Ninh Binh
1.1. Where is Nui Non Nuoc?
Nui Non Nuoc is located in Hoa Lu City, Ninh Binh Province, right in the center of Ninh Binh city, situated prominently at the confluence of the Day River and Van River, near the Ninh Binh bridge. Tourists from Hanoi only need to travel about 90 km to reach this sacred mountain, with many transportation options such as train, car, or bus.
Non Nuoc Mountain is located in Hoa Lu City, Ninh Binh Province. (Source: Collected)
The point that makes Non Nuoc Mountain Ninh Binh unique is the convergence of thousands of years of historical depth, harmonious natural scenery, and special cultural imprints. It is also known as a unique "stone poetry museum" of Vietnam with over 40 poems engraved directly on the rock faces, creating a very unique cultural imprint in the city center.
1.2. Origin of the name and legends associated with Non Nuoc Mountain
Over tens of centuries, Nui Non Nuoc Ninh Binh has had many different names, each name associated with a historical period and a unique story of the ancient capital. During the time of King Dinh Tien Hoang (10th century), the mountain was considered a defensive screen guarding the Hoa Lu capital, named "Ngu Tran Phong Son". During the reign of King Le Dai Hanh, the mountain was renamed "Bang Son", reflecting its solidity and solemnity. In the Tran dynasty, scholar Truong Han Sieu, captivated by the scenery here, named it "Duc Thuy Son", meaning "swallow bathing in the water". This name has been passed down through centuries and has become the most familiar name for Non Nuoc Mountain.
In the Nguyen dynasty, when King Gia Long moved the capital to Hue, the Hoa Lu region was renamed "Thanh Hoa Ngoai Tran", and the mountain was also called "Thanh Hoa Ngoai Tran Son". In the time of King Minh Mang (1821), the king again bestowed the name "Ho Thanh Son", implying the mountain played a role in protecting and defending Ninh Binh city.
1.3. Historical and cultural values of Non Nuoc Mountain Ninh Binh
Non Nuoc Mountain once served as an important defensive line at the eastern gateway of the ancient capital Hoa Lu. This position helped the mountain become a military base during the major dynasties such as Dinh, Le, Tran, and Nguyen. This place marks many significant historical events, especially the moment Duong Van Nga handed the dragon robe to Le Hoan, opening the Early Le dynasty. Through many periods, Non Nuoc Mountain Ninh Binh was not only a defensive stronghold but also a place where scholars visited, enjoyed the beautiful scenery, and composed poetry.
The collection of stone poetry at Non Nuoc Mountain is a precious heritage with many works by renowned figures such as Nguyen Trai, Nguyen Du, and Truong Han Sieu. Among them, Truong Han Sieu was the one who initiated the engraving of poems on stone, beginning a literary tradition closely associated with the natural landscape values of this place.
2. Guide to traveling to Non Nuoc Mountain Ninh Binh conveniently
Traveling from Hanoi to Non Nuoc Mountain Ninh Binh:
From Hanoi, visitors can choose various transportation options to reach Non Nuoc Mountain Ninh Binh. Trains remain a popular choice with the route from Hanoi Station to Ninh Binh Station, taking 2 to 2.5 hours, with ticket prices ranging from 600,000 to 243,000 VNĐ depending on the seat type. If traveling by private car or bus departing from Giap Bat, My Dinh stations, the travel time is about 2 to 2.5 hours, with costs ranging from 700,000 to 250,000 VNĐ/person.
The highway connecting Hanoi and Ninh Binh helps save significant travel time, convenient for those who want to proactively plan their visit to Non Nuoc Mountain.
Traveling from Ho Chi Minh City and southern provinces to Ninh Binh:
Tourists departing from Ho Chi Minh City and southern provinces often choose to fly to Noi Bai Airport or Tho Xuan Airport (Thanh Hoa), then continue traveling by train or bus to Ninh Binh. The total time from landing to arriving in Ninh Binh is about 4 to 5 hours.
Tourists from southern provinces travel by plane to Ninh Binh. (Source: Collected)
Additionally, high-quality bus companies also operate routes from Saigon to Ninh Binh, with travel times of about 18 to 20 hours, for those who want a long journey to enjoy the scenery along the way and save costs.
Moving within Ninh Binh city to the mountain area:
From Ninh Binh train station or bus station, tourists can easily travel to Non Nuoc Mountain. Popular options include taxis, ride-hailing services, or renting a motorbike for self-driving to actively explore nearby tourist attractions. The area at the foot of Non Nuoc Mountain has spacious and safe parking, convenient for both motorbikes and cars, allowing you to easily start your journey to explore the famous scenic spot right in the center of Ninh Binh city. Additionally, city buses are also a convenient and economical means for tourists who want to experience local life.
3. Explore Non Nuoc Mountain Ninh Binh with a series of interesting experiences in 2025
The journey to Non Nuoc Mountain Ninh Binh offers diverse experiences, harmoniously combining cultural and spiritual exploration with enjoying beautiful scenery.
3.1. Discover outstanding historical and cultural sites around Non Nuoc Mountain
Non Nuoc Pagoda is located at the foot of the mountain, right by the Day River, and is the first stop tourists often visit. The ancient pagoda with traditional architecture and a quiet atmosphere brings a sense of peace before starting the journey up the mountain. The spacious courtyard with many shady trees, the resonant temple bells blend with the serene atmosphere.
Truong Han Sieu Temple is erected to commemorate the famous scholar, who founded the tradition of carving poetry on stones at Non Nuoc Mountain. This is a national-level cultural relic, attracting poetry and history lovers, preserving valuable documents about the life and career of this celebrity.
Temple of Truong Han Sieu - the founder of the tradition of carving poetry on stone at Nui Non Nuoc. (Source: Collection)
Lau Nghinh Phong is located on the mountaintop, an ideal resting spot where ancient scholars used to gather to admire the scenery and discuss poetry. From Lau Nghinh Phong, tourists can admire the panoramic view of Ninh Binh city, the winding Van River, and the confluence of the Day River, creating a vibrant natural picture.
3.2. Conquer the 72 stone steps to the summit for a panoramic city view
The path up Nui Non Nuoc Ninh Binh consists of 72 stone steps arranged in 5 tiers, each with its own meaning. The path up the mountain is shaded by lush green trees, providing a pleasant feeling for visitors even on peak sunny days. The clear sound of birdsong mixed with the cool air makes the journey more pleasant. Climbing the mountain is not too strenuous, suitable for many ages; the time to reach the summit takes about 15 to 20 minutes. On the way, visitors have the opportunity to encounter stone slabs carved with poetry, each poem containing stories about history, culture, and the sentiments of ancient people.
From the summit of Nui Non Nuoc, visitors will admire the panoramic view of modern Ninh Binh mixed with the ancient charm of the ancient capital region. At the foot of the mountain, the Van River meanders softly like a green silk ribbon embracing the city, reflecting the sparkling sunlight. In the distance, Ky Lan Mountain and Canh Dieu Mountain stand majestically, blending with the overlapping mountain ranges to create a picturesque landscape, both majestic and poetic.
3.3. A unique "Stone Poetry Museum" in the open air
The feature that makes Nui Non Nuoc Ninh Binh distinctive is its unique stone poetry collection, the only one in Vietnam. Over 40 Hán Nôm poems are meticulously carved on natural rocks, creating an impressive open-air "poetry museum". The poems of renowned figures such as Nguyen Trai, Nguyen Du, Pham Su Manh, Le Thanh Tong, and Tan Da are present in this valuable collection.
Each poem carved on the rock face of Nui Non Nuoc Ninh Binh is not only a testament to the calligraphy skills and artistic inspiration of the ancients but also blends subtly with the natural scenery here. The verses praising the country, people, and history all contain profound life philosophies, expressing the love for the homeland and national pride of the scholars and poets who once stopped here.
4. Essential Travel Tips for Nui Non Nuoc Ninh Binh 2025
To make your trip to Nui Non Nuoc Ninh Binh more complete, visitors should be aware of some useful practical tips.
Ideal time to visit:
The most beautiful time to explore Nui Non Nuoc is autumn (September – November) and spring (February – April), when the weather is cool, with little rain, and the scenery is fresh and full of life. This is also the ideal time to fully admire the harmonious beauty between the Van River, the rocky mountains, and the poetic space around the foot of the mountain. Visitors should avoid days with heavy rain or intense sun to make the mountain climbing and photography journey smoother. The times 7 AM - 9 AM or 4 PM - 6 PM are the "golden hours" for sightseeing and capturing beautiful photos with soft light.
Outfits and items to prepare:
Because you have to climb 72 stone steps, visitors should wear sports shoes or hiking shoes for easy movement. Outfits should be neat and comfortable, and also modest enough to suit the sacred space of Non Nuoc Pagoda and surrounding spiritual sites. You should prepare a hat, umbrella, personal drinking water, camera, or phone to capture memorable moments. When entering the pagoda area, wear long sleeves, long pants, and behave respectfully to show reverence.
Behavior in the spiritual area:
When entering the area of Non Nuoc Pagoda or Truong Han Sieu Temple, visitors should walk gently, speak softly, and avoid making noise. Do not take photos arbitrarily in the worship area, especially in front of the altar, and show respect by bowing slightly when passing Buddha statues or altars. Additionally, turn off phone ringtones or switch to vibrate mode to maintain the solemn atmosphere.
Combine visits to nearby tourist attractions:
After exploring Nui Non Nuoc, you can combine visits to many other famous attractions in Ninh Binh and its surroundings. Not far from the city center is Mua Cave with 500 stone steps leading to the summit for a panoramic view of Tam Coc, or Tam Coc Bich Dong, a place likened to "Ha Long Bay on land" with its picturesque river scenery. Additionally, Thung Nham Bird Garden is a perfect stop for nature lovers. If you want to extend your itinerary, visitors can visit Sun World Ha Nam for entertainment or visit Tam Chuc Pagoda - the largest pagoda in Vietnam, just over an hour's drive from Ninh Binh.
Combine boat trips for sightseeing at Thung Nham Bird Garden. (Source: Collected)
Nui Non Nuoc Ninh Binh is not only a symbol of picturesque landscape in the heart of the city but also a witness to over a thousand years of history in the ancient capital region. From the moss-covered stone steps to the cliffs carved with poetry, from the Song Van river gently reflecting its shadow to the echoing temple bells, all blend together to create a scene that is both poetic and sacred. Whether you come for sightseeing, cultural exploration, or simply to enjoy a moment of peace amidst modern life, Nui Non Nuoc always brings a sense of tranquility and pride in a living heritage of the land and people of Ninh Binh.
