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It is no coincidence that Dau Go Cave was honored by a French travel magazine as the "Cave of Wonders." Among hundreds of caves in Ha Long Bay, this place still stands out with its pristine, ancient beauty and thrilling legendary stories. Let's explore this special cave and save the most complete travel guide for your visit.
Dau Go Cave is a limestone cave belonging to the scenic complex of Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh Province. Located about 3 km from Tuan Chau Island and approximately 6 km from Bai Chay Tourist Area, it is very convenient to combine into your bay exploration itinerary.
>>> Read more: Sung Sot Cave - One of the Most Beautiful Wonders of Ha Long Bay
In terms of scale, Dau Go Cave is located at an elevation of 27m above sea level, covering an area of approximately 5,000m² with an entrance measuring 17m wide and 12m high—ranking among the caves with the largest entrances in Ha Long Bay, allowing plenty of natural light inside. Scientists believe the cave was formed about 2 million years ago, around the same time as Thien Cung Cave located just 300m away.
Right from its name, Dau Go Cave has been linked to mysterious stories passed down through generations. There are 3 popular explanations for this unique name.
The first legend is connected to the resistance war against the Mongol-Yuan invaders in the 13th century. According to legend, Tran Hung Dao—the supreme commander—ordered wooden stakes to be planted to destroy enemy vessels, creating a resounding victory to protect the realm. After the battle, many remaining wooden stakes were left in the cave, so locals named it Dau Go Cave, a variation derived from "giau go" (hiding wood).
The second legend suggests that in front of the cave lies a crescent-shaped range of Dau Go islands, creating a wind-sheltered area for fishermen to take refuge from storms during long offshore fishing trips. During their stay, fishermen repaired their boats and left behind many wood scraps—hence the name Dau Go was formed.
The third legend explains the name based on its shape: seen from afar, Dau Go Island resembles a large log of wood with two holes at either end for threading ropes; it is from this distinctive feature that the cave earned the name Dau Go.
No one knows which story is the truth, but it is precisely these legends that add to the mystery of Dau Go Cave. The cave's reputation even reached Europe: in 1938, the French travel magazine Merveille de Monde honored this place as "Grotte des Merveilles"—the "Cave of Wonders."
Inside Dau Go Cave is a vast space divided into 3 chambers, each possessing its own unique beauty.
The first chamber, located close to the entrance, is filled with natural light. This area features stalactite formations in familiar shapes reminiscent of lions, turtles, fighting cocks, and more. Visitors can freely admire them and let their imaginations wander according to these unique stone formations.
>>> Read more: Thien Cung Cave: Admire the Mystical Palace Amidst the Wonder
The second chamber is likened to a magnificent painting with various protruding large rocks, while dim lighting makes the scenery even more shimmering and mystical. The appearing and disappearing clusters of "stone flowers" are a highlight that leaves visitors both excited and curious.
The third chamber brings a surprise as the cave floor suddenly widens. Inside the cave, there is a crystal-clear water well containing fresh water all year round. Stalagmites with bizarre shapes remind visitors of an ancient castle with massive architecture. The deeper you go inside, the weaker the light becomes, and everything grows more mystical.
In particular, the wide and high cave entrance also serves as a shelter for rare swifts. If lucky, visitors may catch sight of flocks of swifts flying back and forth right at the cave entrance.
Dau Go Cave is located on Ha Long Bay's sightseeing route No. 1 (Cruise Port - Panorama Park Route: Thien Cung, Dau Go, Stone Dog Islet, Ba Hang, Incense Burner Islet, Fighting Cock Islet). Visitors have 2 ways to get here:
Option 1: Book a cruise tour to visit the bay. Tours usually include Dau Go Cave in their itineraries, suitable for large groups or families with elderly members and children. When booking a tour, you should carefully check ticket prices and itineraries to be more proactive.
Option 2: Travel independently to Tuan Chau Port and hire a boat. From Ha Long center to Tuan Chau Port is about 13 km (taking around 17 minutes by car). Here, you can rent a boat to follow Route 1. The sightseeing ticket price for Route 1 is currently around 290,000 VND/person (including entrance and port fees).
Best time to visit: from April to October, when the weather is pleasant with little rain, making it favorable for boat trips and cave exploration.
Clothing: Prepare light, comfortable clothes and sneakers because the terrain inside the cave has many steep and slippery sections.
Essential items: Bring drinking water, apply mosquito repellent, and fully charge your phone/camera battery to capture beautiful moments.
Environmental awareness: Do not touch the stalactites or litter indiscriminately to preserve the pristine beauty of the cave.
Sung Sot Cave is located about 8 km away from Dau Go Cave and is considered one of the most beautiful caves in Ha Long Bay, featuring sparkling stalactite formations of various shapes that create a spectacular scenery.
Bai Tho Mountain is located in the center of Ha Long, about 20 km from Dau Go Cave. This is the most ideal spot for a panoramic view of Ha Long Bay, especially at sunrise or sunset. The mountain still preserves Classical Chinese poems carved into the rock by King Le Thanh Tong since 1468.
Ga Choi Islet (Trong Mai Islet) is located only about 2 km from Dau Go Cave—a tourism symbol of Ha Long Bay with two rocks precariously standing like a giant pair of fighting cocks amid the open sea, making it a must-visit check-in spot.
Dau Go Cave is not only a beautiful cavern with a magnificent 3-chamber system, but also a convergence point of nature, history, and unique cultural legends. The title "Cave of Wonders" awarded in 1938 remains fully relevant today, making it an unmissable destination on any journey to explore Ha Long Bay.
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