An Giang: The Land of Seven Mountains

An Giang Province is the land of Seven Mountains in the Mekong Delta area, one of the most mysterious landscapes in Vietnam. In addition, An Giang possesses many places that attract travelers to its beauty. This province is also the land of the Cham people, an ethnic minority of Vietnam, so the culture is varied and makes for an interesting experience!

An Giang Province has two big cities: Chau Doc City and Long Xuyen City, with many different tourist attractions.

Administered by the districts of Tri Ton and Tinh Bien, the Seven Mountains area is known as the most mysterious and sacred place in Vietnam. Every year it attracts many tourists and pilgrims looking to learn the stories of each mountain.

Because Vietnam was ruled by the Chinese for a total of a thousand years in the past, our language has been influenced by ancient Mandarin. As a result, we have borrowed many words rooted in Chinese and we call these words Han-Viet. We use the term thuan Viet to refer to the words that originated from Vietnam only. Each mountain of the Seven Mountains also has two names: one Han-Viet name and one thuan Viet. Even the overarching name, the Seven Mountains, has two names: That Son (Han-Viet)  and Bay Nui (thuan Viet).

Let me tell you about the stories of each mountain!

1. Nui Cam (thuan Viet)
Thien Cam Son (Han-Viet)

With the height of 716 meters and the length of 7,500 meters, this is the highest mountain of the Seven Mountains, as well as the most sacred one. Its name also speaks of a legend. In the late 18th century, King Gia Long before becoming the first king of the Nguyen Dynasty was defeated by the Tay Son Dynasty and fled to this mountain for refuge. His subordinates forbade the locals from entering the mountain. Because of this, the mountain was called Nui Cam, meaning the forbidden mountain.

There is another legend that explains the Han-Viet name Thien Cam Son (meaning heaven’s forbidden mountain): there were once many monsters in this mountain killing people and eating them. Therefore, the king of heaven used his power to imprison all the beasts, forbidding them from doing bad things.

Nowadays, Thien Cam Son is a very famous tourist attraction of An Giang Province which possesses majestic sights, a gigantic Buddha statue, Thuy Lien lake, and Thanh Long Stream. Climb the peak of Thien Cam Son and enjoy the scenery as beautiful as heaven!

Address: An Hao Commune, Tinh Bien District.

2. Nui Nuoc (thuan Viet)
Thuy Dai Son (Han-Viet)

In contrast to Thien Cam Son, Thuy Dai Son is the smallest and lowest mountain of the Seven Mountains with 20 meters in height. From July to October of the Lunar Calendar, the water level of the rivers rises so high that it covers the foot of the mountain. This explain its name Nui Nuoc (meaning water mountain) and Thuy Dai Son (water reservoir mountain). During the flood season, the surrounding landscape is covered by water, so it seems like a small hill in the spacious sea. Long ago, Nui Nuoc was under water for a very long time, creating the flat and smooth rocks of the mountain. From Nui Nuoc, you can see Ngoa Long Son (of Seven Mountains) far away.

Address: Ba Chuc Town, Tri Ton District

3. Nui Dai (thuan Viet)
Ngoa Long Son (Han-Viet)

Nui Dai is the longest mountain of the Seven Mountains with a length of approximately 8,000 meters. The thuan Viet name of this mountain, Nui Dai, also means long mountain. Because it meanders like an East Asian dragon, the Han-Viet name, Ngoa Long Son, means lying dragon mountain. Volcanic rocks, granite rocks, and Jurassic rocks compiled to create Nui Dai. There are many precious woods and birds inhabiting the length of Ngoa Long Son as well, making it a natural wonder of nature and life.

O Ta Soc military base is located on the highest point of Nui Dai, administered by An Ninh Village, Luong Phi Commune, Tri Ton District. In the Vietnam War, this place was one of the important bases controlled by the South Vietnam resistance force. Now it is a tourist attraction to learn about the Vietnam War.

Address: across Chau Lang Commune, Luong Phi Commune, and Le Tri Commune, Tri Ton District

4. Nui Dai Nam Gieng (thuan Viet)
Ngu Ho Son (Han-Viet)

This mountain has a height of 265 meters and is ranked as the fourth highest mountain of the Seven Mountains. The names Nui Dai Nam Gieng (meaning long mountain with five wells) and Ngu Ho Son (five lakes mountain) alludes to the five sunken areas containing water that look like five wells. These small wells are not more than two square meters wide. Word has it that the wells are protected by gods so they will never dry up. This land is also called nam gieng nuoc troi which literally means heaven’s five wells.

Despite the rough terrain with gigantic rocks, Ngu Ho Son has stunning scenery: evergreen trees, majestic sights, and the mysterious five wells. You can see Anh Vu Son, belonging to the Seven Mountains, opposite Ngu Ho Son.

Address: across Nha Bang Town, An Phu Commune, and Van Giao Commune, Tinh Bien District

5. Nui Ong Ket (thuan Viet)
Anh Vu Son (Han-Viet)

Anh Vu Son is 225 meters tall and 1,100 meters wide. There are many interesting details about this mountain. In the past, when locals went to the mountain to collect firewood, they created a trail to the mountain peak. Walking along this trail leads you to an untouched scenery of nature, it is very beautiful and peaceful.

Halfway up the mountain is a gigantic rock called Mo Ket (parrot beak) because it looks like the head of a parrot. This explains the names of this mountain: Nui Ong Ket and Anh Vu Son both meaning parrot mountain. Stand on this rock, and you may feel as if the mountain is moving because you can see the clouds floating like heaven around you. There are many tourist attractions in Anh Vu Son such as San Tien (fairy yard), Gieng Tien (fairy well), the temples of Chu Than, Phat Thay, Phat Mau, Ngoc Hoang, Huynh Long, Ba Co, U Minh, and Chu Vi Nam Non Bay Nui.

Address: Nha Bang Town, Tinh Bien District

6. Nui Co To (thuan Viet)
Phung Hoang Son (Han-Viet)

Nui Co To (Co To mountain) is named after the commune it is located in, Co To Commune, Tri Ton District. Nui Co To is the third longest mountain and the second highest mountain of the Seven Mountains, with the length and height of 5,800 meters and 614 meters respectively. Legend has it that many kinds of birds immigrated to this mountain, including the phoenix. Therefore, locals call it Phung Hoang Son (phoenix mountain). Also, the shape of Nui Co To looks very similar to a phoenix spreading its wings.

In the west of Nui Co To is Tuc Dup Hill. The terrain of this hill is full of rocks and a narrow path winds through it. There are many large caves which were once used to store weapons and used as shelter during the Vietnam War by the South Vietnam resistance. In the east of Nui Co To, in 1986 people dug a lake and named it Soai So Lake. This is the largest man-made lake of An Giang Province with an area of five hectares.

Address: Co To Commune, Tri Ton District

7. Nui Tuong (thuan Viet)
Lien Hoa Son (Han-Viet)

In the past, locals climbed to the mountain and saw a lake in which there was a lotus flower with leaves as large as a wheel. So, they called this mountain Lien Hoa Son (lotus flower mountain). Now there is no lotus flower, but because this mountain looks like a gigantic elephant from a far distance, it is also called Nui Tuong (elephant mountain).

Lien Hoa Son has a height of 145 meters and a length of 600 meters, and is ranked as the second smallest mountain of the Seven Mountains. Because locals do not exploit the trees, on the way to the peak you will be surrounded by a healthy forest.

Pro tip: You need a local or a tour guide to help climb to the peak of Lien Hoa Son, since there is no trail leading you directly to the peak. A navigator will be very helpful!