In the Itinerary (Part 5)

Bai Tho Mountain (Poem)

Bai Tho Mountain is 106m high. It former name was Truyen Dang (Transmission of light). It runs along the coast, half on land and half in the sea. Sailing in the bay, one or two hundred meters from the mountain, one can see a poem carved on a flat stone cliff.

In 1468, King Le Thanh Tong, who was also a poet, made an inspection tour of the North–East region. He stopped at the foot of the mountain and inspired by the magnificent beauty of the surroundings, he wrote a poem. Later, he had it engraved on the southern side of the mountain, thus it is called Bai Tho.

In 1729, Lord Trinh Cuong composed a poem in response to that of King Le Thanh Tong and also had it carved near the former. The mountain features other poems by Nguyen Can and some other poets.

Climbing to the summit offers spectacular panoramic views of the bay. In the background of immense emerald waters, of rock bobbing, of high sky, of surrounding flowers and trees, you can figure out the tiny images of boats. Bai Tho makes up one of the beauty spots of Ha Long.