Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village

Non Nuoc has carved stone at the base of the Marble Mountains since around the eighteenth century, and for most of that time the material came from the mountains themselves - which is the problem the village eventually had to face: quarrying was cutting into five limestone outcrops that are also a religious and heritage site, and it was banned. The workshops now import marble, largely from northern Vietnam and abroad, and carve everything from small figures to very large Buddhas and lions shipped internationally. The craft was recognised as national intangible heritage in 2014. The dust and noise of the work are part of the village.

What you actually see

• Carving since the eighteenth century - at the foot of the mountains.
• Quarrying banned - to stop the outcrops being cut away.
• Imported marble now - from elsewhere in Vietnam and abroad.
• Work at every scale - from figures to shipped monumental pieces.

When to go

Year round. Half a day.

Honest expectations

The village is dusty and loud, which is what a stone-carving district is. Sales pressure is heavy. Large pieces are unshippable for most visitors. It is usually visited alongside the Marble Mountains above.

Nearby

The Marble Mountains are directly above; My Khe beach is north.