Da Nang, a dynamic and charming coastal city, is not only famous for its long white sandy beaches, modern bridges, and diverse cuisine, but also a place that preserves unique traditional cultural values. Among them, Non Nuoc Stone Village, located at the foot of the majestic Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son), is a must-visit destination for those who want to explore the exquisite beauty of stone sculpture art and learn about a traditional craft village with a history of hundreds of years. Coming to Non Nuoc Stone Village, visitors will not only admire unique works of art but also immerse themselves in the rich Vietnamese cultural space, where the talented hands of artisans have transformed inanimate stone blocks into vivid works of art, carrying the soul of the nation.
History and Formation of Non Nuoc Stone Village: Time Imprints on Each Stone Slab
Non Nuoc Stone Village, also known as Non Nuoc Fine Arts Stone Village, has a history dating back to the 18th century. According to historical records and local legends, this craft village was founded by the craft ancestor Huynh Ba Quat, a talented craftsman from Thanh Hoa. During the process of reclaiming land and building temples in the Marble Mountains area, he discovered abundant sources of high-quality marble. Recognizing the potential of this stone, he taught stone carving to the local people, opening a new chapter for this land.
Over hundreds of years of development, Non Nuoc Stone Village has gradually affirmed its position on the map of traditional Vietnamese craft villages. From simple products serving daily life such as stone mortars and pestles, to sophisticated works of art such as Buddha statues, animal statues, and interior decorations, Non Nuoc fine art stone products are increasingly diverse in designs, rich in types, and improved in quality.
Throughout its history, Non Nuoc Stone Village has also experienced many ups and downs and changes. Especially during the war, the craft village was almost destroyed. However, with the love for the craft and the desire to preserve the tradition of dedicated artisans, Non Nuoc Stone Village has gradually revived and developed strongly. Today, the craft village is not only a place to produce unique fine art stone products but also become an attractive tourist destination, attracting a large number of domestic and international visitors.
Discovering the Unique Beauty of Non Nuoc Stone Village: From Workshops to Art Masterpieces
When setting foot in Non Nuoc Stone Village, visitors will be amazed by the space filled with stone and the sounds of chiseling echoing everywhere. Along the village road, stone shops and workshops stand side by side, displaying countless fine art stone products of all sizes, shapes, and colors. From majestic Buddha statues, compassionate Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara statues, statues of gods in folk beliefs, to feng shui mascots such as dragons, phoenixes, unicorns, and Pi Xiu, then interior and exterior decoration products such as stone lamps, stone tables and chairs, stone flower pots, stone paintings… all are meticulously and exquisitely crafted by the talented hands of artisans.
Smiling Buddha statue made of stone in Non Nuoc Stone Village, Da Nang
Visitors can freely visit stone workshops to witness firsthand the process of making a complete fine art stone product. From the stage of selecting stone, sketching shapes, rough carving, chiseling, to grinding and polishing, each stage requires the dexterity, meticulousness, and high concentration of the craftsman. In particular, visitors will admire the elderly artisans who, with their calloused hands and rich experience, have breathed life into inanimate stone blocks, turning them into works of art with profound aesthetic and cultural values.
Artisan in Non Nuoc stone village crafting a statue
Not only a production place, Non Nuoc Stone Village is also a living museum of stone sculpture art. Each fine art stone work carries its own cultural, historical, and spiritual values. These can be stories about Buddhism, about folk beliefs, about the history of formation and development of the craft village, or simply the emotions and thoughts of the artisan sent into each line and block.
Non Nuoc Stone Carving Art: Quintessence of Traditional Craft
Non Nuoc stone carving art is imbued with Vietnamese cultural identity, expressed through themes, topics, and crafting styles. Artisans often use natural marble materials extracted from the Marble Mountains with many different colors such as white, pink, blue, yellow, black… Each type of stone has its own characteristics, requiring craftsmen to have appropriate techniques and processing experience to create beautiful and durable products.
Variety of stone art products at Non Nuoc stone village
Non Nuoc fine art stone products are very diverse in types, from round statues, bas-relief statues, to decorative products and household items. Round statues are often crafted with religious themes such as statues of Buddha, Bodhisattvas, Arhat statues, or feng shui mascots such as dragons, unicorns, turtles, and phoenixes… Bas-relief statues are often carved on stone walls, steles, or architectural decoration products, depicting ancient stories, everyday life scenes, or traditional patterns.
White marble statue of Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara
The stone carving style of Non Nuoc is also very diverse, from meticulous realistic style to liberal expressive style. However, regardless of the style, artisans always focus on expressing the soul and spirit of the subject, creating vividness and depth for the work. In particular, Non Nuoc stone carving art also carries a strong humanistic character, expressed through messages of peace, love, compassion, and the desire for a better life.
Exquisitely carved stone dragon statue
Experiencing Tourism in Non Nuoc Stone Village: A Journey to Discover Culture and Art
To have a complete and meaningful tourist experience in Non Nuoc Stone Village, visitors can combine visiting the craft village with exploring the Marble Mountains and other nearby tourist attractions in Da Nang.
Ideal time: The best time to visit Non Nuoc Stone Village is during the dry season (from March to September), when the weather is sunny and dry, favorable for travel and sightseeing. However, visitors can also come to the craft village at any time of the year, each season brings different experiences.
Means of transportation: Non Nuoc Stone Village is located about 8km southeast of Da Nang city center, very convenient for traveling by motorbike, car, or taxi. Visitors can also choose public buses to save costs.
Experiential activities:
- Visiting stone workshops: Visitors can freely visit stone workshops to learn about the process of making fine art stone products, interact with artisans, and listen to stories about the craft.
- Shopping for souvenirs: Non Nuoc Stone Village is an ideal place to shop for unique and meaningful souvenirs. Visitors can choose small fine art stone products such as keychains, bracelets, mini statues, or larger decorative products such as Buddha statues, stone paintings, stone lamps…
- Participating in stone carving classes: If you have time and want to experience stone carving in more depth, visitors can register to participate in short-term classes organized by village artisans. This is a great opportunity to learn basic skills and create simple fine art stone products yourself.
- Exploring local cuisine: After visiting Non Nuoc Stone Village, visitors can enjoy Da Nang specialties at nearby restaurants and eateries. Some famous dishes to try include Quang noodles, fish cake vermicelli, banh xeo, and grilled sausage.
Non Nuoc marble bracelet product
Combining a visit to the Marble Mountains: Non Nuoc Stone Village is located right at the foot of the Marble Mountains, a famous scenic spot of Da Nang. Visitors can combine visiting the craft village with exploring the majestic beauty of the Marble Mountains, visiting ancient pagodas and admiring the panoramic view of the coastal city from above.
Panoramic view of Marble Mountains from Non Nuoc Stone Village
Conclusion: Non Nuoc Stone Village – A Must-Visit Cultural Destination in Da Nang
Non Nuoc Stone Village is not only a traditional craft village but also a precious cultural heritage of Da Nang and Vietnam. Coming to the craft village, visitors will not only admire unique works of art but also learn about the history, culture, and people here. The journey to explore Non Nuoc Stone Village will surely bring visitors memorable experiences and unforgettable memories of a land rich in tradition and imbued with cultural identity. If you have the opportunity to come to Da Nang, don’t forget to visit Non Nuoc Stone Village to discover the exquisite beauty of stone sculpture art and feel the Vietnamese cultural essence hidden in each stone slab.