Marble Mountains: Developing cultural and spiritual tourism

Ngu Hanh Son (Marble Mountains) is a place where many layers of cultural and historical sediment converge. Within it, the dense system of temples with precious Buddhist inscriptions and artifacts, and the unique Quan The Am Festival… have created a foundation for the strong development of spiritual and cultural tourism in the area.

The ritual of reenacting the image of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara at the Avalokiteshvara Festival in Ngu Hanh Son.

The Avalokiteshvara Festival - A Cultural and Spiritual Highlight

From a festival honoring the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara – the ultimate symbol of compassion, salvation, and universal salvation – the Avalokiteshvara Festival in Ngu Hanh Son was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2021.

For the past four years, the Avalokiteshvara Festival in Ngu Hanh Son has been organized on a city-wide scale and has increasingly affirmed its position as a distinctive highlight in the cultural life of Da Nang city; it is also a unique and attractive spiritual tourism product for domestic and international tourists.

According to Venerable Thich Tu Nghiem, Member of the Executive Council and Head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Association in Da Nang city, it is not just a festival, but also an opportunity for each person to return to themselves, cultivate a kind heart, and practice the virtue of listening and loving, in accordance with the spirit of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara's manifestation.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyet (Hoi An Tay ward) shared: “Every year I attend the festival because I believe I will receive the Bodhisattva's blessings, praying for health and peace for my family. The festival is attracting more and more locals and tourists, not just Buddhists.”

Returning to the festival after 8 years, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa (Chan May commune - Lang Co district, Hue city) was amazed by the grand scale of the Quan The Am Festival. “The scenery is more beautiful, the festival activities are lively and attractive. Especially, security and order are ensured, and everyone attending the festival feels peaceful and joyful,” Ms. Hoa observed.

Tens of thousands of people attended the 2026 Quan The Am Ngu Hanh Son Festival

Connecting the values ​​of Buddhist cultural heritage

Besides the Quan The Am Ngu Hanh Son Festival, recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, Ngu Hanh Son ward also possesses other heritages: Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village, a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2014; Ngu Hanh Son Scenic Area, recognized as a Special National Monument in 2018; and Ngu Hanh Son Rock Formation, a Documentary Heritage under the Memory of the World Programme for the Asia-Pacific region in 2022.

The Ngu Hanh Son Scenic Area currently has a system of ancient temples (Tam Thai, Linh Ung) built very early and unique caves (Huyen Khong, Am Phu).

Furthermore, the rock inscriptions at the Marble Mountains (Ngũ Hành Sơn) are a system of 78 Han Nom texts carved on the cliffs and caves of the Marble Mountains by Nguyen Dynasty kings, officials, high-ranking monks, and intellectuals. Based on this, researchers believe that during the 17th-19th centuries, the Marble Mountains were considered a major Buddhist center in Central Vietnam.

Nguyen Hoa, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ngũ Hành Sơn Ward, stated that with its rich Buddhist culture, the Marble Mountains possess all the necessary conditions for tourism development, especially spiritual tourism. The ward is constantly striving to awaken the inherent value of the scenic area and historical relics, while simultaneously connecting the tourist attractions within the complex; supporting and creating favorable conditions for tourism businesses, contributing to increased income for local people, and developing the economy while protecting and promoting the value of the scenic area.

The systematic connection of tourist attractions, temples, caves, and the system of rock inscriptions is being implemented to help visitors understand the cultural values, thereby gradually transforming Ngu Hanh Son into an attractive and unique cultural and spiritual tourism destination.

In the program to stimulate tourism to Da Nang in 2026 with the message "Da Nang - Touching the Origins," Ngu Hanh Son is also one of the destinations where the tourism industry is implementing the "Touching the Silence - Where Healing Energy Comes" initiative, providing an opportunity to connect tourists with the natural and spiritual space of the locality.