Soai So Lake is at the bottom of Phung Hoang Son

Phung Hoang Son, also called Co To mountain or To mountain, is the second highest mountain in the That Son range, standing at 614 meters above sea level with a perimeter of almost 13 kilometers. Over the centuries, numerous folktales have been created to explain the origins and moniker of this Phung Hoang Son. Folklore has it that in the past, fairies often descended to That Son area on moonlit nights to roam and have fun. One day they played games of throwing stones and the following morning there appeared a mountain of rocks piled on top of each other to form Phung Hoang Mountain. The mountain is also known by the tale that it resembles an overturned bowl (Tô in Vietnamese means a bowl). Another idea holds that this mountain, known as Phung Hoang Son, was previously home to a variety of exquisite birds, including the phoenix, one of the fabled wild birds, because of its resemblance to a gigantic, soaring phoenix that soars over the plain. Though every tale has its origin, we would still like to know why this particular mountain in the middle of the plains exists.

In addition to having an abundance of legends about killing rattan cobras and capturing terrifying creatures in the enigmatic That Son region of antiquity, Phung Hoang Son boasts the untamed, majestic grandeur of mountains and woods. Mr. Nguyen Van Mong, a Phung Hoang Son local, there are legends associated with each point on this mountain. For instance, there is a rock known as Mui Tau that resembles a large boat. People say that this rock formed when Phung Hoang Son was an island in the middle of the sea and that a boat crashed here and turned into stone before the delta was accreted. Alternatively, Nam Can Palace is a modest mansion concealed by substantial stone piles and the shade of towering, ebony trees. This area was supposed to be the resting place of the "lords of the forest" amid seven magnificent mountains by the ancient people. San Tien, which is not far away, still has enormous impressions left on the rock that show all of the right foot's toes and entire heel, while Cam Mountain has left over the left foot's footprints as well. According to folk legend, it was left by the Immortals in the Bay Nui area.

The view from the top of Phung Hoang Son

Besides the mysterious legends of the time when the high mountains opened, caves, streams, rocks,... to pagodas such as: Van Long, Bong Lai are places that mark many heroic fighting feats with the courage and resilience of the Bay Nui army and people, the bond between the Party and the People in the struggles against foreign invaders to protect the Fatherland. In addition to the historical accounts of valiant battles and enchanted folktales, Phung Hoang Son is blessed by nature with breathtaking landscapes that are difficult to locate elsewhere. Perched halfway up the mountain, and known by locals as Vo Hoi Lon and Vo Hoi Nho, are two enormous, flat boulders from which one can get a panoramic view of the stunning Ta Pa rice fields, which resemble a picture perfect scene of nature. Soai So Lake, which is located directly at the base of Phung Hoang Son, has flat, clear water with ripples that create the illusion of peaceful "mountain water" in the midst of dense forests and mountains. According to local legend, the water used to build and store Soai So Lake came from the Vang stream, which flows through the peak of the mountain. Because of the tiny, glittering golden sand grains in the stream, it is known as the Vang Stream (golden stream) Water runs here year-round and in great abundance, particularly during the rainy season. Along with supporting daily activities, production, and putting out forest fires throughout the dry season. As a result, Phung Hoang Son rapidly draws a lot of tourists and young people who enjoy exploring and taking pictures of the natural world. Recently in the San Tien area, Tri Ton district, a beautiful "Tri Ton" symbol was built, becoming a hot check-in point for young people over the past time. Each letter is 7m high, located on a pedestal 1.5 - 2m high, with a solar lighting system installed and a surrounding fence for protection. Looking from the bottom of Phung Hoang Son, you can clearly see and take pictures of the word "Tri Ton" as the district's invitation to tourists./.

Author: Dang Phuong - Translated by Kim Ngan