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Caves in Halong Bay
Grottoes (Halong Bay)
Halong Bay's limestone islands are peppered with caves of all shapes and
sixes. Many of these are accessible only by charter boat, but some can
easily be visited on a tour.
Hang Dau Go (Cave of Wooden Stakes). known to the French as the
Grotte des Merveilles (Cave of Marvels), is a huge cave
consisting of three chambers, which you reach via 90 steps. Among the
stalactites of the first hall, scores of gnomes appear to be holding a
meeting. The walls of the second chamber sparkle if bright light is
shone on them. The cave derives its Vietnamese name from the third
chamber. This chamber is said So have been used during the 13th century
to store the sharp bamboo stakes that Vietnamese folk hero and war
general Tran Hung Dao planted in the bed of the Bach Dang River to
impale Mongolian general Kublai Khan's invasion fleet. It's the closest
cave site to the mainland. Part of the same system, the nearby Hang
Thien Cung has 'cauliflower' limestone growths as well as stalactites
and stalagmites.
Hang Sung Sot is a popular cave to visit. It too has three vast and
beautiful chambers, in the second of which there's an astonishing
pink-lit rock phallus, which is regarded as a fertility symbol. ‘Penis
rock' is the only way to describe it. It, too, requires a hike up steps
to reach it, and a loop walk through the cool interior takes you back to
the bay. Hang Bo Nau another impressive cave, can be visited
nearby.
Hang Trong (Drum Grotto) is so named because when the wind blows
through its many stalactites and stalagmites, visitors think they can
hear the sound of distant drumbeats. Exactly which of the caves you
visit will probably be decided on the day you travel. It depends on
several factors, including the weather, number of other boats in the
vicinity, and the number of people putting environmental pressure on the
caves.
ISLANDS
Dao Tuan Chau (Tuan Chau Island), just 5km west of Bai Chay (western Ha
long City), is one of the few islands in Ha long Bay that has seen any
development. For many years the only accommodation was in Ho Chi Minh's
former summer residence, an elegant but decaying structure. However, all
this changed as the island rebranded itself Tuan Chau International
Recreation Complex ( r US$80-110;complete with aquarium. Circus, golf
course and private villas There are more than 300 rooms in this vast
complex', The beachside rooms are task-fill and the top rate includes
steam baths and saunas in the rooms.
Dao Titop (Titop Island) is a small island in the middle of the
bay with a small, somewhat scruffy beach. Ignore its dubious charms and
make for the summit of the island, which offers one of the best panorama
views of Ha long Bay. It's cheaper than a chopper. Cat Ba Island
is the best known and most developed of Ha long Bay's islands.
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