Nam Dan Ancient Rock Field

Nam Dan Ancient Rock Field is an archaeological site in Nam Dan Commune, Xin Man District, Tuyen Quang Province (formerly Ha Giang Province), near Coc Pai town. Spread across a valley and hillside, it contains numerous large boulders engraved with ancient petroglyphs including geometric patterns, human figures and symbols. Discovered in 2004 and designated a National Relic in 2008, the field is notable for mysterious carvings believed to be over 2,000 years old and its scenic mountain setting.

Visitors can expect an open-air archaeological site set in a mountain valley and hillside with scattered large sandstone boulders bearing ancient carved motifs. The area is rural and natural, surrounded by terraced fields and ethnic minority villages. Visitors walk among the rocks to view petroglyphs with geometric shapes, footprints and human figures, often with the help of a local guide to locate and interpret the carvings. There are no large built structures, and the experience is focused on sightseeing, photography and cultural exploration.

The site contains petroglyphs believed to date back more than 2,000 years. The carvings were first scientifically recorded in 2004 and the field was ranked as a National Historical Relic in 2008. The engravings provide evidence of early settlement and symbolic practices in the northern mountainous region.

The rock field is regarded as an important cultural heritage site reflecting ancient beliefs, cosmology and artistic expression of early inhabitants. It holds value for local ethnic communities and is preserved as an archaeological and cultural landmark of the region.