Located about 70 km from Hanoi, Con Son tourist site is attached with the life of famous men in the history; one of three centers of Truc Lam Zen in Tran dynasty.
The relic site lies in the middle of Phuong Hoang and Ky Lan mountain range. It consists of mountains, pagodas, towers, pine forest, streams and popular relics. Right from Tran dynasty, Con Son pagoda was one of three centers of Truc Lam, Vietnamese Zen Buddhism (Con Son-Yen Tu-Quynh Lam). This land was associated with the life of many famous men of Vietnam history such as Tran Nguyen Dan, Huyen Quang and especially the national hero Nguyen Trai, world’s cultural celebrity. Ho Chi Minh President used to visit here and read Nguyen Trai’s stele.
Nowadays, Con Son remains cultural vestiges of Tran dynasty and following historical periods. They include:
Con Son pagoda
The pagoda is also known as Thien Tu Phuc Tu or Hun, situated at the foot of Con Son mountain before Tran dynasty. In Le dynasty, the pagoda was improved and extended magnificently. As time go by, Con Son pagoda today is only a small one hiding behind green foliage of ancient trees. The pagoda was built in architecture including Tien duong, Thieu huong, Thuong dien. Thuong dien, where worships Budhha, has 3 m high Buddha statues built from Le dynasty. Behind the pagoda is a main building with three statues of Truc Lam Buddhism sect (Tran Nhan tong-Phap Hoa-Huyen Quang), Tran Nguyen Dan, Nguyen Trai and Nguyen Thi Lo statues.
The yard of the pagoda stands a 600 year old tree, 4 stele buildings, especially “ Thanh Hu Dong” built from Long Khanh dynasty (1373-1377) with the words of emperor Tran Due Tong and hexagonal stele “ Con Son thien tu bi phuc tu”, which was read by Ho Chi Minh President when he visited Con Son on 15 February 1965.
Pearl Well
The well is located at Ky Lan mountain’s slope, on the right is the wat leading to Ban Co Tien (fairy chessboard). It was said that Huyen Quang, one of three founders of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism built the well after he had a divine dream. The well’s water is pure, year-round cool. Since then, it was called Gieng Ngoc (Pearl Well) and offered in rituals at the pagoda.
Fairy Chessboard
Con Son peak is 20m high, 600 stone steps far from Con Son pagoda. It is a flat area with a large stone flag called Fairy Chessboard. On the mountain’s peak situates a two-floor watch tower that gives visitors a fascinating bird’s eye-view of the complex.
Thach Ban
On the side of Con Son stream is a stone flag called Thach Ban, where Ho Chi Minh President stopped for short break when he visited this vestiges. Legend said that Nguyen Trai used to come here to rest, take a sightseeing, compose poems.