Tien Son Cave a hidden gem in northwest Vietnam

By Trung Nghia May 15, 2021 | 12:00 am PT

Tien Son, a complex of caves with pristine stalactites, is a not-to-be-missed destination in northwest Lai Chau Province.

On the way from Sa Pa Town in Lao Cai Province to Lai Chau, the capital town of the eponymous province, visitors have the opportunity to pass by Tien Son (Fairy Mountain) Cave. The cave is associated with the legend of 99 mountains and 99 lakes of Lai Chau people.Legend has it that 99 mountains are the symbol of 99 healthy boys and 99 lakes are the embodiment of 99 hard-working and beautiful girls. Mountains and lakes create a spectacular scene that can capture the hearts of any visitors.

On the way from Sa Pa Town in Lao Cai Province to Lai Chau, capital of the eponymous province, visitors have the opportunity to pass by Tien Son (Fairy Mountain) Cave.

Tien Son Cave possesses multiple-shaped stalactites. It consists of 49 arcs embracing two mountain slopes.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.

Tien Son Cave possesses multiple-shaped stalactites. It consists of 49 arcs embracing two mountain slopes.
According to scientists, the Tien Son karst cave was formed millions of years ago. The more deeply you enter the cave, the more surprised you will be by the thousands of stalactite ribbons crossing the ceiling, or stalagmites rising from the floor.

There is a cool crystal-clear stream inside the cave. During the war against the French, Tien Son served as a place to hide food and was a base of the revolutionary movement.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 and lLac Long Quan, the ancestors of Vietnamese people.

There is a cool crystal-clear stream inside the cave. During the war against the French, Tien Son served as a place to hide food and base for the Vietnamese troops.
So far, 40 chunks or sub-caves have been discovered inside Tien Son. They all stretch along the two mountain sides, including Au Co and Lac Long Quan, named after the legendary parents of Vietnamese people.

The cave is equipped with concrete pavements and electric lights along the path, making it easier for visitors .Inside the cave, there are concrete pavements and electric lights along the path.

The cave is equipped with concrete walkways and electric lights.

Several sections in the cave are only 1 meter high, therefore, tourists should be cautious. Visitors now can only explore 700 meters of its length.

Several sections in the cave are only one meter high, therefore, tourists should be cautious. Visitors can only explore 700 meters of its length at present.

The cave is situated on National Highway 4D in Binh Lu commune, Tam Duong District, about 40 km from Sa Pa, a popular highlands resort town.

The cave is on National Highway 4D in Binh Lu Commune, Tam Duong District, about 40 kilometers from Sa Pa, a popular highlands resort town. Recognized as a national relic in 1996, Tien Son Cave has been a popular tourist destination since 2008.

In front of the cave’s gate lies an Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue on a large rock. Ticket to the cave costs VND20,000 ($0.87) for an adult and VND10,000 for children.Every year, Lai Chau Province also organizes Tien Son Cave Festival on the full moon of the first lunar month to pray for a year of peace and bumper crop. This is also an opportunity for local residents to restore and perform cultural performances of the Thai, Giay, and Lu ethnic minority groups through culinary performances and folk games.

In front of the cave’s entrance stands an Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue. Tickets to the cave cost VND20,000 ($0.87) for adults and VND10,000 for children.
Every year, Lai Chau Province organizes Tien Son Cave Festival during the full moon day of the first lunar month to pray for a year of peace and bumper harvests. This is also an opportunity for local residents to perform customary Thai, Giay, and Lu ethnic dances and enjoy folk games.