Hai Vai cliff complex

(Baonghean) -On National Highway 1A from Dien Chau Town intersection, going west along National Highway 7A for 8km, you will set foot on Hai Vai cliff - a national historical and cultural relic. Hai Vai cliff is a giant natural rock block 800m long, 120m widest point, 141m high. The cliff consists of many peaks, including the main peak, the large peak called Hai Vai cliff (Luong Kien Son, or Dam cliff) and the small peak (Ho Linh Son) standing out in the middle of the immense fields in the territory of 3 communes: Dien Binh, Dien Minh, Dien Thang.

According to historical records, Hai Vai was formed after an earthquake more than 50 million years ago. Through many changes, the cliff has a stable appearance as it is today. Since 1964, archaeologists have found fossilized human bones, some stone tools and 7 ceramic jars in the cliff. This discovery proves that Hai Vai was once an area where primitive people lived.



Hai Vai cliff complex.

In the past, the hill had dense forests with many birds and wild animals. In spring, the climate was cool, the trees were green, and flowers were in full bloom. In the Indochina travel book by a French author, Hai Vai hill was ranked as a beautiful landscape in the Central region of Vietnam. The attraction is that hidden under the tree canopy are caves with unique structures with many different names, associated with thrilling legends. The air in the caves is cool. In the past, scholars used to come here to relax and study literature.

To the southeast is the Hang Thu Co cave. The cave is located at a height of 30m above the ground. Inside the cave there are many rocks with strange shapes. In particular, there is a stalactite block shaped like a human leaning against the cliff, with a stone pattern above its neck, so the cave is called Hang Thu Co cave. At a height of 15m above the ground there is the Da cave. At the bottom of the cave there is a cool stream of water that never dries up. In addition, there are many other caves such as the Khan cave, the Tu cave, especially the extremely deep Sword cave.

Standing at each angle, people see the hill in different shapes. In the minds of Dien Chau people, Hai Vai hill is considered a symbol with many mysteries. In Ly Trai and Dong Thap areas, the hill looks like a stone tablet - this area often has people with high achievements. Dien Dong and Dien Thai areas have a lot of rice, so Hai Vai hill looks like a giant carrying rice. In Nho Lam area, there are many blacksmiths, so Hai Vai hill looks like an anvil. In Dien Thinh and Dien Trung areas, there are many people who cut traditional medicine, so the hill looks like a knife. In the East of Dien Hoa area, elegant women see the mountain as a girl with loose hair and round shoulders...

Not only that, mountains and river shapes are cultural features of a countryside. Hai Vai Reef is a place with many advantages. In the past, fishermen going to sea lacked means, so they considered the Reef as a lighthouse. Every time they were far from shore and encountered bad weather, Dien Chau fishermen used Hai Vai Reef to guide their boats to shore.

Good wind sails the fairy wings
Run away from Van area to see Hai Vai cliff

In the military field, Hai Vai was a fierce battlefield of the battles between the two feudal groups Le - Mac, during the Nguyen Dynasty, Hai Vai was the uprising base of Nguyen Xuan On. During the period of 1930-1931; 1936-1939, Hai Vai was the place to print documents of the Party, a place to gather the masses for demonstrations. During the period of 1939-1945, this place became a place for military training, storing weapons for uprisings to seize power. During the years when the whole country was at war, Hai Vai was used as a shelter, a place to hide weapons, food, a place to watch over American planes from the sea... And today, Hai Vai has great significance for the development of the land and people of Dien Chau. People in the area still consider Hai Vai as a solid wall to protect against storms, winds and high tides so that everyone can work and live in peace.

Currently, the Hai Vai cliff complex is being protected and embellished by Dien Chau district. It can be said that with its unique and diverse structure, colorful landscape, and soft, pristine, and graceful beauty, the Hai Vai cliff complex has attracted many tourists to visit. At Ho Linh Son mountain, the sacred and ancient Co Am pagoda has been rebuilt halfway up the mountain. The peaceful and pristine scenery of the primeval forest has become an attractive destination for tourists who love to explore nature, immerse themselves in the scent of flowers and fresh air. Besides being a fascinating natural complex, what is even more attractive is that Hai Vai cliff is associated with the Bung river, creating a picturesque landscape, a famous tourist destination that anyone who sets foot in Dien Chau cannot help but know.

Mountains, rivers and human love have created the charm and nobility of the land and people of Dien Chau. Hai Vai cliff and Bung river will forever be the pride and the place to entrust the faith, dreams, and love for the homeland with the deep joys and sorrows of Dien Chau people. Hai Vai cliff is a symbol of character, culture, and human morality and has almost become flesh and blood in the body and mind of Dien Chau people so that wherever they go, wherever they return, Dien Chau people still remember Hai Vai cliff - the place where their homeland is shaped with high and long love like rivers and mountains.

Mai Giang (Dien Chau Radio)