Dau Go Cave: Grotto of Marvels

Standing out among the other captivating caves in Ha Long Bay, Dau Go Cave is known as one of the largest and most beautiful, attracting a large number of tourists each year. It’s even said that your trip wouldn’t be complete without passing through this famous cave. Follow the article below for the clearest view of Dau Go Cave.

Location and Origin of the Name “Đầu Gỗ Cave”

Đầu Gỗ Cave is one of the most beautiful caves in Ha Long Bay, renowned for its numerous strange and magical limestone formations. The cave has an area of about 5,000 square meters and is located at an altitude of 27 meters above sea level, within a limestone mountain range on Đầu Gỗ Island, in Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province. Compared to other caves in Ha Long Bay, Đầu Gỗ Cave is the third largest after Sung Sot Cave and Thien Cung Cave (300 meters from Đầu Gỗ Cave). The cave acts like a giant air conditioner, keeping a warm temperature in winter and a cool 20-22 degrees Celsius in summer, even when it’s hot outside.

According to scientists, Đầu Gỗ Cave was formed about 2 million years ago, during the same period as Thien Cung Cave, in the late Pleistocene epoch. During this process, seawater eroded and created cracks on the surface of the limestone mountains. Wind and rain also contributed to the destruction and creation of holes in the mountains. These holes gradually expanded and connected with each other, forming large and deep caves.

The name “Đầu Gỗ” (literally “Wooden Head”) has various interpretations, reflecting the rich history, culture, and nature of this land. One explanation suggests that Đầu Gỗ Cave was where the Tran Dynasty soldiers hid wooden stakes to build a stakeyard to fight against the Mongol invaders in the 13th century. After the victory, the soldiers took most of the logs, leaving only a few in the cave. From then on, the cave was called “Hang Giấu Gỗ” (Cave of Hidden Wood), which later became “Đầu Gỗ.” However, according to folk culture researcher Tong Khac Hai, “I remember around 1960, experts from the Institute of Archaeology lit torches to search the cave for any pieces of wood to verify if they were remnants of Tran Hung Dao’s stakes, but they found nothing. Perhaps, due to national pride and love for the country, some people associated that legend with the name of the cave.”

Folk culture researcher Tong Khac Hai stated that no traces of wooden stakes were found in Dau Go Cave.
Folk culture researcher Tong Khac Hai stated that no traces of wooden stakes were found in Dau Go Cave.

Mr. Tong Khac Hai believes that the name of Dau Go Cave leans towards the second explanation, which is the name of Dau Go Mountain. If you travel from Cat Hai (Hai Phong), you will see the mountain resembles a log with two holes, hence fishermen called it Dau Go Mountain (Wooden Head Mountain). The cave on the mountain is then called Dau Go Cave.

Additionally, the final explanation is that the Dau Go archipelago has a crescent shape, creating a wind-sheltered bay in front of Dau Go Cave. Fishermen often gather here during storms or after a fishing trip. They anchor their boats, live in large numbers, and repair their boats here, leaving many leftover wooden pegs.

Historical Landmarks of Đầu Gỗ Cave

In 1918, King Khải Định and French Governor-General Albert Pierre Saraut took a cruise on Ha Long Bay and visited Đầu Gỗ Cave. Witnessing the ethereal beauty of the cave, King Khải Định composed a poem and a preface to praise the landscapes of Ha Long and Đầu Gỗ Cave. The stele inscribed with these praises is currently placed on the left side of the entrance to Đầu Gỗ Cave. The stele is decorated with two dragons facing the sun on the forehead and base, along with cloud and fire motifs in the style of the Nguyen Dynasty’s court art. In the preface, King Khải Định named Đầu Gỗ Cave “Ngũ sắc tường vân” (Five-colored auspicious clouds). It can be understood that he wanted to compare the beauty of Đầu Gỗ Cave to the Tường Vân Pagoda in Hue, built in 1843.

 
Stone stele of King Khai Dinh at Dau Go cave today
Stone stele of King Khai Dinh at Dau Go cave today

On October 5, 1957, President Ho Chi Minh visited Ha Long Bay and toured Đầu Gỗ Cave. Standing in front of the cave entrance, he said to those accompanying him: “You must be sightseers like me to truly enjoy it. The beauty of the scenery cannot be conveyed by one person to many. All of you must enjoy it with me.”

In 1938, Đầu Gỗ Cave was first mentioned in a French travel magazine called “Merveille de Monde” (Wonders of the World). This article introduced the magical and pristine beauty of Đầu Gỗ Cave, as well as its legends and history. The author used flowery language to praise Đầu Gỗ Cave as “Grotte des Merveilles” (Cave of Wonders). This article sparked the interest and curiosity of many travelers around the world, especially the French, about Đầu Gỗ Cave and Ha Long Bay.

How to get to Đầu Gỗ Cave

There are two main ways to get to Đầu Gỗ Cave:

Option 1: Day Trip to Ha Long Bay

You can purchase a day trip ticket to Ha Long Bay and choose Route 1, which includes attractions like Thien Cung Cave, Ba Hang Fishing Village, Trong Mai Islet (Fighting Cocks Islet), and Đầu Gỗ Cave. You can buy tickets at tourist ports such as Bai Chay or Tuan Chau. The ticket price for this route is 440,000 VND/person (including bay entrance fee and boat fare). You can search and book a tour for Route 1.

Option 2: Ha Long Bay Cruise Tour

You can book a Ha Long Bay cruise tour to experience various exciting activities on the bay, such as dining, sleeping on the boat, fishing, and scuba diving. Cruise tours typically last from 2 to 3 days, and there are many options for boat types and prices. You can search and book a cruise tour online.

Exploring Đầu Gỗ Cave

After departing from the tourist port, the cruise will take visitors to Đầu Gỗ Cave in about 2 hours. Visitors will then need to walk a few hundred meters from the cruise ship to the cave entrance. The path is quite easy as the area has been well-maintained, but the way up to the cave requires climbing stairs, so people with mobility impairments should take note before visiting.
Map of Dau Go Cave
Map of Dau Go Cave
Đầu Gỗ Cave covers an area of approximately 5000 square meters, with a 17-meter wide and 12-meter high entrance, showcasing a distinctive and unique architecture, considered a masterpiece of nature. The cave is divided into three chambers, each with its own distinct and captivating features.
First Chamber: This is the largest chamber, illuminated by natural light throughout, creating a dreamlike natural picture. The cave ceiling resembles a collection of wondrous images, sparking the imagination of visitors. At times, it evokes images of elephants grazing, ferocious tigers, graceful white swans, or even bees and butterflies fluttering about. The ancient stalactites, formed by nature over time, take on various shapes, sometimes resembling palm trees, sharp swords, or even a dense forest. The sound of trickling water echoes like birdsong or the calls of gibbons. The cave ceiling is also adorned with a soft “velvet carpet,” shimmering with light from stalactite “chandeliers,” and stone statues of lions, snakes, turtles, and fighting cocks… all come to life in a magical world.
The strange stalactites make Dau Go Cave even more magical.
The strange stalactites make Dau Go Cave even more magical.
Second Chamber: The middle chamber is much darker but impresses with its crystal formations. When illuminated, it transforms into a dazzling kaleidoscope, captivating all visitors and igniting their curiosity about the picturesque scenes. Images of rocky islands rising above the waves are also vividly depicted in this chamber, evoking a sense of wonder and awe at the beauty of Ha Long Bay.
The corridor connecting the chambers within Dau Go Cave.
The corridor connecting the chambers within Dau Go Cave.
Third Chamber: Following a 1.4-meter wide path, visitors will encounter the third chamber with colorful stalagmites and stalactites. Additionally, there are many massive stone pillars sculpted by nature in this area. These pillars are neither rough nor rigid, but rather graceful and delicate. These images bring a sense of refinement and artistry to visitors.
The giant stone pillars in Dau Go Cave.
The giant stone pillars in Dau Go Cave.
Đầu Gỗ Cave is a limestone cave of impressive scale and unique architecture in Ha Long Bay. It is a horizontally developed cave with multiple chambers and variations in color, light, and the shapes of the limestone formations within. According to scientists, Đầu Gỗ Cave is one of the oldest caves in Ha Long Bay, dating back to the same period as Thien Cung Cave. Đầu Gỗ Cave exudes an ancient, pristine, and tranquil beauty with numerous small and tall stone pillars and stalagmites, reaching towards the blue sky. These limestone formations were created by the crystallization of minerals from the cave ceiling dripping down to the cave floor, as well as the reflection of light from the cave entrance onto the stone pillars within.

Things to keep in mind when visiting Đầu Gỗ Cave

You should keep the following in mind to have a pleasant and informative trip:

  • It’s advisable to choose the period from April to October to visit Đầu Gỗ Cave, when the weather is pleasant, neither too cold nor rainy. You should avoid going on peak days like weekends or holidays to avoid crowds and congestion.
  • To reach Đầu Gỗ Cave, you need to walk up 90 steps to the cave entrance. Therefore, for wheelchair users, it’s recommended to have someone accompany them to assist with carrying or piggybacking them to reach the cave.
  • When visiting the cave, you should follow the regulations set by the management and tour guide. You should not litter, touch the limestone formations, or make noise that disturbs others. You should protect the natural beauty of the cave and respect its historical significance.