Buzz
Nestled amidst pristine waters, limestone cliffs, and stalactite caves, Ao Dong – Luôn Cave is emerging as a promising destination in Ha Nam, thanks to its natural allure.
Embarking from Hanoi, we traversed the old Highway 1A, crossing through Thường Tín District and Phú Xuyên District to commence our day-long exploration of Ha Nam.
Ha Nam, though not widely recognized for its tourist attractions, primarily boasts a collection of temples such as Bà Đanh Pagoda, Long Đọi Sơn Temple, and unique architectural churches. Therefore, tourism in Ha Nam remains relatively untapped for many. Yet, from now on, adventurers will likely add a new destination to their itinerary when reminiscing about this region: Ao Dong – Luôn Cave.
In addition to the unmissable landmarks like Bà Đanh Pagoda and the residence of Bá Kiến, along with indulging in renowned dishes such as Phủ Lý rolled cakes, royal bananas, and village-style braised fish, our itinerary included a rather novel spot that I heard of for the first time: Ao Dong – Luôn Cave.
Located within Liên Sơn Commune, Kim Bảng District, Ao Dong is easily reached from Phủ Lý city center. After crossing Hồng Phú Bridge, directions to Bút Phong were readily available from locals along the way.
As tourism hasn't yet flourished here, keen observation is required to notice the sign pointing towards Dong Pond placed on a roadside wooden board. Despite being an area exploited for limestone for the cement industry, the existence of such serene beauty might catch many by surprise.
After descending the hill leading to the stone quarrying area, our group parked at the foot of the slope and then proceeded to stroll down towards the pond.
Enclosed by crescent-shaped mountain ranges, this area remained relatively unknown until the stone quarrying activities unveiled the pathway leading to Luôn Cave.
Continuing on foot past the hill, we veered onto a narrow path along the rugged mountain slopes, eventually reaching Dong Pond.
Leaving behind the hustle and bustle, the dust and grime of the construction site, the scene before us turned picturesque and tranquil. Despite its modest size of just over 300 hectares, Dong Pond boasts beauty akin to the famous limestone landscapes of Tam Cốc and Tràng An (Ninh Bình).
Like a large mirror reflecting the majestic mountain landscape in all directions, the emerald water surface of the pond reveals clearly the mosses gracefully swaying along the water currents, while above, the reeds burst into full bloom...
The origin of the name Dong Pond remains a mystery, but many speculate that it was originally named after the abundance of mosses ('rong' in Vietnamese), which was later mispronounced as 'Dong.'
Here stands a solitary small house by the mountain, inhabited by the caretaker of the pond. Inquiring about boat rentals, we were informed that visitors from afar typically pay 10,000 dong for admission and an additional fee for the ferry.
However, after some negotiation, the lady agreed to a price of 150,000 dong for six people to leisurely cruise on the boat, without additional 'entrance fees.'
During the dry season, navigating the cave is relatively easy. With a length of about 400 meters, Hang Luồn boasts modest dimensions, yet its cavernous entrance is adorned with sprawling branches. During the wet season, boats cannot enter the cave due to the inundation of its entrance.
Upon approaching the cave entrance, a cool breeze and echoing winds greeted us from both ends. Our boatwoman guided us with a handheld torch, paddling while providing insights into the stalactites adorning the cave's ceiling.
Untouched by human hands and unaltered by artificial lighting, the stalactites within the cave retain their natural allure, showcasing a variety of captivating forms.
Venturing deep into the cave feels like gently drifting into a mystical fairytale world.
Navigating through the heart of the cave, everyone seemed to merge into the serene backdrop of the fields below the limestone mountains outside. Pausing for a moment, the boat turned back along the old path, taking passengers to visit another cave on the right-hand side.
Crossing a small stone bridge leads to the entrance of the second water cave. This cave is enclosed and short with deep water areas. The stalactites within the cave exhibit a wider variety of shapes, ranging from pink flowers to images of water ripples and the silhouette of a woman's chest...
Enjoying the scenery, taking photos... as we disembarked, we encountered some local people relaxing by the pond after a day's work.
Engaging in conversation with them provided deeper insights into this land. This is also a gathering place for local residents to socialize, cool off, or enjoy some tranquility at the end of the day.
After hours of exploring the mountains and waters, the group happily lingered, listening to the birds chirping and the sound of water flowing gently from the mountain peak.
Leaving Dong Pond – Luôn Cave as the afternoon sun gently wanes, the natural scenery becomes even more tranquil and serene, more contemplative than ever before. Perhaps from now on, we've added another destination to our travel diary whenever we reminisce about Ha Nam.
As reported by Tuoitre.vn
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourNovember 6, 2015
