Tien Son cave: a wonder in the northwestern land
Update: Mar 03, 2016
Tien Son cave, a national relic site in the northwestern province of Lai Chau, is sure to take any visitors by astonishment with its breathtaking scenic view.

Recognized as a national relic site in 1996, Tien Son also takes several other names such as Da Trang (white stone) cave, Dan Don cave, Po Ngai Tung cave, and Binh Lu cave. According to scientists, Tien Son karst cave was formed millions of years ago. The more deeply visitors get into the cave, the more surprised they are by thousands of stalactite ribbons running down from the ceiling, or stalacmites growing up from the floor as if they were in the middle of nowhere but heaven.

So far, 40 chunks or sub-caves have been discovered inside Tien Son cave. They all stretch along the two mountain sides and each chunk has its own beauty and a different name showing people’s aspiration in life, such as Au Co mother (mother of the Vietnamese people), Lac Long Quan father (father of the Vietnamese people), Success, and more. Apart from stalactites, there are streams winding through the rocks, creating melodic sounds amidst the mild and fresh air in the cave, holding back the visitors. 

The breathtaking landscape and fresh air inside the cave are only part of its attraction. The legend of the site, which is deeply imbued with the culture of locals, is what captures the attention of visitors the most. The cave is closely connected with the folklore of the Lu ethnic minority people in Lai Chau. Legend has it that a long, long time ago, 99 strong men and 99 beautiful girls came to settle down there and created the land. The men claimed the land, opened paths, and shaped the landscapes while the girls took good care of crops and the surrounding environment. As time goes by, villages were shaped, including Tien Son cave. The legend has become a beautiful story of love and land, which inspires people of the Lu group as well as visitors.

From Sa Pa in Lao Cai province, it takes visitors only one hour to reach Tien Son cave via National Road 4D. This cave, in Binh Lu commune, Tam Duong district, Lai Chau province, will surely leave an unforgettable impression on visitors. 

PANO