TRONG (DRUM) CAVE & TRINH NU (VIRGIN) CAVE

Trong Cave (or Drum Grotto) is opposite to Trinh Nu cave (Virgin Cave). Two caves are 600-700 meter apart from each other and their doors looking toward different direction. It is told that in Trinh Nu Cave, the shape of a rock lying horizontally was orginally a girl lying with her long hair hanging down who is looking to the sea in a vain hope.

The symbol of truly love

Located on the island range of Bo Hon in the system comprising the Sung Sot Grotto, Ðong Tien Lake and Luon Grotto, Drum Cave is 8km south from Bai Chay Tourist Wharf. It is mainly chosen to held cave dinner by Halong Bay’s cruise operators thanks to its various beautiful stalactites and its associated origin story, which make the cave a splendid and romantic place to dine. For fishermen, the Virgin Grotto is their house, but for young lovers, it is considered as the symbol of true love, and is the romantic place for taking oath of love.

A fanciful love legend

It is told that in Trinh Nu Cave, the shape of a rock lying horizontally is orginaly a a lying-girl with her long hair hanging down who is looking to the sea in a vain hope. Situated opposite to Trinh Nu Grotto, Trong (or Male) Grotto has a stone statue of a boy who turns his face to Trinh Nu Grotto. Too poor to marry the girl, her lover, a fisherman, went to a long cruise and risked his life for a fortune. Upon hearing the girl running away from family pressure to marry the rich, he came back for her but couldn’t find her and turned into a rock looking over the sea.

Trong Grotto has two entrances: the eastern mouth and the western one, linked with each other. Entering the grotto, visitors will see spectacular scenery of stalactites hung down from the ceiling. It it also said that whenever lightening strikes, the sound from the cave is like a big drum, hence the name Drum Cave. Drum Cave is also an archeological remain of Soi Nhu culture dating back to 18.000 – 7.000 years ago. The rest of food and tools show that Trong Grotto had been the residence of ancient Vietnamese inhabitants.