Top Vietnam Destinations: A journey to discover Hang Tien and Cha Loi
Photographer Ly Hoang Long shared that he was really overwhelmed when he saw the magnificent labyrinth of stalactites and stalagmites in Hang Tien and Cha Loi caves, VnExpress reported.
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| The members of the tourist group were amazed by the beauty of the giant stalactites and stalactites inside Hang Tien, Cao Quang commune, Tuyen Hoa district, Quang Binh province. This cave is located 70 km to the west to Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park. The photo set is taken in June by photographer Ly Hoang Long, Chairman of the Art Council of Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists. (Photo: VN Express) |
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| The lake area has a clear blue water surface where visitors can cool off and camp overnight before entering Hang Tien. As the largest dry cave of the Tu Lan cave system, Hang Tien is nearly 3 km long, consisting of Hang Tien 1 and 2 separated by primeval forest, exploited for tourism since 2017. (Photo: VN Express) |
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| The tourist group approached the cave entrance after walking and climbing on the cliffs. The entrance is about 50 meters wide and 100 meters high, from which tourists can see the unique stripes on the cave wall. (Photo: VN Express) |
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| Huge stalactites in the cave. The name Hang Tien (Cave of Fairies) is derived from the legend where the fairies from the sky come to roam and enjoy the scenery. Local people consider Hang Tien a sacred place. It is often chosen as a place to celebrate important rituals such as praying for rain and peace. (Photo: VN Express) |
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| In the rainy and flood season, all water from rivers is poured into the cave creating underground rivers. By the time the water recedes, natural lakes formed, simultaneously forming large layers of stalactite like terraces (Photo: VN Express) |
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| The vegetation in Hang Tien is diverse with ferns, mosses, and fungi, creating a rich ecosystem that is different from other caves. Plants here grow quickly and cling to long-established stalactites, creating green stalagmites. (Photo: VN Express) |
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| Humans become so humble in the heart of Hang Tien (Photo: VN Express) |
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| After visiting Hang Tien, the group set out to explore Cha Loi cave in Ngan Thuy commune, about 40 km southwest of the center of Dong Hoi city. Cha Loi is located at the foot of a large mountain in Cay Sung village. To reach the cave, visitors have to walk about 800 meters on a small trail that weaves through the houses and fields of the Van Kieu. In the photo, the group camps overnight outside the cave. (Photo: VN Express) |
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| Cha Loi Cave has 3 floors, the width varies from 30 - 100 m, the average height is 60m, the highest place is about 90m. “This time I just felt the Laos wind. The temperature in Dong Hoi was always 36-40 degrees Celsius. On the first day, from the starting place, we went through the forest and climbed through a shallow stream to the cave entrance at 11 a.m. It is hot outside, but when we got into the cave, the temperature is not more than 20 degrees C", Long shared. (Photo: VN Express) |
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| Tourists wade the underground river to explore the cave. The underground river has cool blue water. There are small lakes near the river where some species of shrimp and fish live. (Photo: VN Express) |
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| Two members of the group are resting and chatting in the cave. When conquering the cave, people are fully equipped with flashlights, headlights to hats and protective shoes. (Photo: VN Express) |
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| Cha Loi cave stalactite looks like being inlaid with gold when seen through the shining light of a flashlight from afar. (Photo: VN Express) |
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| “Cha Loi has a thrill attraction as it has diverse landscapes. We sometimes just slipped down and then we got tired of the depth, we suddenly changed direction up high, then climbed until we saw the light at the end of the road”, Long said. He added that the successful and exciting trip to discover Hang Tien, Cha Loi caves could not happen without enthusiastic help from tour companies. Thanks to the light support team, the photos become more sparkling. (Photo: VN Express) |
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