Located along the shores of the Ha Long Bay World Heritage site, Bai Tho Mountain is the pride of the people of Quang Ninh. This is where numerous poems were engraved, including the poem by King Le Thanh Tong.
Bai Tho Mountain Scenic Spot – The Pride of Quang Ninh People
At an elevation of 200m, the view of Ha Long Bay from the summit of Bai Tho Mountain is magnificent and poetic, especially at sunset. According to historical records, in ancient times, the mountain served as an outpost for the border pass in the Northeast region. In 1468, during an inspection tour here, King Le Thanh Tong had his poem “For all eternity the Southern skies and mountains shall stand firm” carved onto the cliff face. Later, several other poems were also carved here.
Photo: nhung_black.
Sunset on the mountain peak. Photo: Nguyen Hung.
The mountain is not high, but the trail to the summit is by no means easy, with several steep sections. In many parts, there are jagged rocks on one side and a deep abyss on the other. Local residents still raise herds of goats on the mountain.
Ha Long Bay viewed from Bai Tho Mountain. Photo: Nguyen Hung.
There are still troops of golden monkeys living on the mountain, belonging to the same breed as the monkeys used for medical research on Reu Island, Cam Pha City. Occasionally, monkeys still sneak into kitchens of local residents at the foot of the mountain to steal food.
Climbing Bai Tho Mountain. Photo: Nguyen Hung.
Road surrounding the mountain. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
Photo: @logan_fan38.
To this day, historical relics still remain along the path to the summit of Bai Tho Mountain. These include the main telecommunications center of Quang Ninh Post Office during the anti-American war, which had to be relocated up the mountain to evade bombings.
Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
Photo: @anhk.98.
On the mountain summit, the sacred red flag with a gold star flutters proudly. This is also the place where, at dawn on May 1, 1930, a train driver from the Ba Deo coal screening plant named Dao Van Tuat secretly climbed up to hoist the Party flag to celebrate International Workers' Day.
Pagoda at the foot of the mountain. Photo: Thanh Nien Newspaper.
In 1992, the Bai Tho Mountain cluster was recognized as a National Historical and Cultural Relic comprising three sites: “Mountain Inscriptions, Long Tien Pagoda, and Duc Ong Shrine”. Today, remnants on the peak of Bai Tho Mountain include the flagpole and hammer-and-sickle red flag, the observation post and 12.7mm anti-aircraft gun emplacement of the Bach Dang self-defense company during the anti-American war, the post office cave, the air defense command post, and the operating room of Quang Ninh Provincial Hospital.
Photo: quockhanh2511.
Bai Tho Mountain shimmering at night. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
Therefore, Bai Tho Mountain is a heritage steeped in historical impressions and folklore in the land bordering Ha Long Bay. Bai Tho Mountain served as the “magic eye” of the Northeast region. From past feudal dynasties through the Ho Chi Minh era, it has echoed with glorious feats.
The mystical mountain at night. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
Bai Tho Mountain is also a place that binds the culture of successive generations of Vietnamese people in sustainable development, deserving to be honored and promoted for its conservation value, national cultural heritage, and tourism development in Ha Long City and Quang Ninh Province.
The poem by King Le Thanh Tong. Photo: Pham Hoc.
Bai Tho Bridge allows visitors to explore with ease. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
Therefore, when visiting Quang Ninh Province and Ha Long Bay, be sure to visit Bai Tho Mountain—the pride of generations of people in the Ha Long area in particular and Quang Ninh as a whole.
