Legend of Hon Vong Phu - where a woman turns to stone and waits for her husband for thousands of years

Standing tall on the top of Nhui mountain, Vong Phu island in Thanh Hoa is associated with the story of a woman holding her child for thousands of years waiting for her husband to turn to stone.

Standing tall on the top of Nhui mountain, Vong Phu island in Thanh Hoa is associated with the story of a woman holding her child for thousands of years waiting for her husband to turn to stone.

About 3km southwest of Thanh Hoa city center, Vong Phu island (also known as Vong Phu Trach) stands tall and proud between heaven and earth. This is one of the famous landscapes of Thanh Hoa, a symbol of the faithful love of the Vietnamese people.

Hon Vong Phu is a stone pillar about 20m high, seen from a distance like the shape of a woman holding a child, facing the sea. Because of this, local people believe that Vong Phu island is associated with the story of a faithful woman waiting for her husband to turn to stone.

The story of a woman waiting thousands of years for her husband to turn to stone

Vong Phu island scenic spot is located on top of Nhui mountain, in An Hung ward (Thanh Hoa city). To admire Vong Phu island up close, visitors are forced to go through hundreds of stone steps.

After about 20 minutes of climbing, visitors can relax and enjoy the fresh air on the top of Nhui mountain. Admire the scenery of green mountains and blue waters and towering buildings in the center of Thanh Hoa city.

Standing out among the blue of the clouds and sky, is a towering rock block about 20 meters high. Over thousands of years, throughout the four seasons of Spring - Summer - Autumn - Winter, still "inert with the years and moons". People here believe that this is a block of stone in the shape of a faithful woman who has been waiting for her husband for thousands of years to turn to stone.

Hon Vong Phu is located on the top of Nhui mountain, about 3km southwest of Thanh Hoa city center.

The old story goes: There was a poor couple but they loved each other very much. One day, they heard about a precious grass that could be exchanged for silver and gold. Because he did not want his wife and children to suffer, the husband set out to find herbs.

Many years passed, and when her husband did not return, the wife took her child and climbed the pass and crossed the stream to look for him. One day, she carried her child to a high mountain, hoping to find her beloved husband.

Then, she held her child and climbed to the top of the mountain, facing the sea, waiting for her husband to turn to stone for a thousand years.

Hon Vong Phu is associated with the story of a woman who turned to stone for thousands of years waiting for her husband

Another story tells that, once upon a time, there was a young man from a noble family who married the most beautiful and modest girl in the area. They lived side by side, she weaved and spun silk while he grinded scriptures, looking forward to the day of his test.

After she gave birth to her beautiful daughter, the country suddenly had a military crisis. The husband had to go to the border to protect the country, then died in battle. Back home, the wife still faithfully hugged her child and waited for her husband to turn to stone.

I don't know what is the real story about Vong Phu island on Nhui mountain. However, finding the answer is probably not really necessary. Because, thousands of years have passed, Vong Phu island still stands there, eternal with heaven and earth.

The image of Vong Phu island has also become a beautiful symbol of the steadfast loyalty that a wife has for her husband. And, also became a source of inspiration for poets forever. The great poet Nguyen Du, during a visit to Thanh Hoa, left behind emotional poems: "Is that a stone? That person? What is this?/Alone on this mountain for a thousand years...".

Famous landscapes in Thanh Hoa

Vong Phu island is located in the cluster of artistic relics and landscapes of An Hoach mountain (Nhoi mountain), along with Quan Thanh temple, Thuong temple, Quan Man mausoleum and Tien Son pagoda. In 1992, the relic complex was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a national relic.

About 50m from Vong Phu island is Thuong temple built on a very unique orphan mountain top. From the Thuong temple, you can see the panoramic view of Vong Phu island on top of Nhui mountain.

Living right next to the foot of Nhui mountain, Mr. Mai Van Son (61 years old, An Hung ward, Thanh Hoa city), shared: "In the past, Nhui mountain, where Vong Phu island is located, had a very large shape. The foot of the mountain ran close to down to Thuong temple, not like now. When I was young, I also heard my grandparents tell about the legend of Vong Phu island, people here still call it Trong Chong mountain. Around Vong Phu island, there are many very sacred relics. sacred, so on holidays and Tet, many tourists come to offer incense."

Thanh Hoa 1868 view

Update day : 09/09/2023