Buzz
Located approximately 70km northwest of Phong Nha, Tú Làn rightfully claims the spotlight among the newly discovered caves that have been open to exploration in recent years.
Embark on a Quang Binh adventure to uncover the secrets of the Tú Làn cave system.
The richness, diversity, and enchantment of this cave system inspire tour organizers to design programs such as 'Discovering the Tú Làn Cave World' ranging from one to four days. Our group opted for a three-day tour due to its high appeal, moderate difficulty, and budget-friendly cost (7,500,000 VND per person).
First Day: Getting Acquainted with the Mountainous Forest
At the stop in Tân Hóa, Oxalis Company staff brief the program using a map and train tourists on the use of well-prepared equipment. Our group consists of 18 members, including two guides doubling as trainers and five porters.
Maintaining composure, I gracefully glide through the water, my body warming up with fatigue. In front of Ken Cave, the Rào Nan stream branches off, known by the ethnic people as Ngà Han – or Ngã Hai, adding a new tributary, referred to as Ngã Ba by the Kinh people.
Pausing in the middle of the stream for a break and some photos, everyone resumes swimming an additional 300 meters into the cave.
This time, as we swim, we marvel at the enchanting and mysterious Ken Cave. The headlamps cast a dreamy glow, and the pin lights flicker brightly as our group passes through. Lost in admiration of the stalactites and gently drifting along the stream, occasional gasps arise as someone is startled by a fish darting beneath their feet.
The world of stalactites and limestone formations comes alive, vibrant and cheerful under the sparkling lights. The entire group ventures into the cave, posing like models on a talk show stage, bathed in a shimmering glow.
Everyone is in awe and wonder. We continue swimming upstream. I've learned that instead of swimming with broad strokes, gently paddling like a frog allows me to keep up with others. Sneaking behind those skilled swimmers to take advantage of reduced resistance proves to be less exhausting.
Returning to the campsite, while waiting for dinner, the entire group descends into the stream for a refreshing waterfall massage. After lunch, the challenge escalates as we must swim against the waterfall into the Tú Làn Cave.
Revered as the 'big brother,' Tú Làn lives up to its reputation with its majestic caverns and the enchanting transformation of stalactites, resembling terraced fields and mystical jade-like formations.
At certain points, visitors have to relax and swim using their hands due to the submerged rocky terrain. There are sections where you move alongside moving walls, the water reaching shoulder level. I received a 'deep critique' for accidentally tapping a broken limestone against the stalactites, creating echoing sounds, oblivious to the strict preservation regulations.
Known as a secret because the cave entrance is nearly invisible from the stream. Visitors have to belly-crawl, squeeze through narrow gaps, and climb steep inclines. There's even a spot where you have to crouch and crawl like a waterborne special forces soldier. Tiny monkey skulls are a reminder of Tôn Ngộ Không's disciples.
As for Ken Cave, its entrance is adorned with rare moss. Resilient stalactites stand tall, engaging in a perpetual challenge with the limestone formations, defying the passage of millions of years without yielding.
The limestone formations proudly defy and challenge the stalwart stalactites, persisting through failure after failure. Numerous peculiar creatures, accustomed to living in the darkness of the cave, are discovered, including spiders, bats, and various reptiles.
On the second night, the group camps in a small yet spacious cavern within the Tố Mộ Valley. The second-day journey covers almost 5 km, with over half spent swimming and trekking inside the caves, leaving everyone thoroughly exhausted.
After a cozy evening meal, the entire group gathers in high spirits, singing and laughing. The night echoes with the distant sounds of waterfalls, resembling a deep majestic melody, and the gentle lapping of the river soothes us into slumber.
Day Three: Overcoming Oneself
Following breakfast inside the cave, the group continues to conquer icy mountains, dense forests, and ventures into the Hung Ton Cave (named after a creature from the Porcupine family). The level of challenge remains relentless, but everyone is growing accustomed to the journey.
Swimming directly through the waterfall, resembling koi fish navigating a challenging gate. Hung Ton Cave reveals seashell fossils and numerous ancient porcelain shards, evidence of life spanning thousands of years.
Individually, each person secures themselves with safety ropes, scaling a sheer cliff face over 15 meters high. The darkness of the cave diminishes fear. The cave entrance reaches dozens of meters in height, bearing witness to the traces of terrifying floods.
Living on the mountainside, every household seems to have a floating house nearby. As the water rises, the houses float to meet it, a testament to the resilience of those who call this mountainous region home.
Before a light meal at Mouse Cave, the entire group faces a gentle yet impressive challenge: a slippery slope of smooth, red-brown clay.
We walk in pairs, resembling astronauts descending on the moon, as each step collects a layer of clinging mud. Occasionally, someone excitedly captures a frog or pauses to rid themselves of the mud.
Luckily, a small stream provides a brief respite inside the cave for a light meal, even though it's well past noon. Venturing through Mouse Cave, with clusters of limestone formations resembling sharp stakes in the Bach Dang River, the group continues the journey, confronting steep slopes and rocky outcrops.
Most intriguing is the muddy incline, where only the most daring souls dare to grasp wild grass to traverse the slippery terrain, swaying as if inebriated. The rest resign themselves to sacrificing their clothes, sliding down over ten meters on mud-covered buttocks.
The Rào Nan stream meanders, playing hide and seek. The entire group rushes down to wash away the mud, engaging in a carefree, impromptu bathing session. Many discover torn and tattered pants, especially around the posterior due to the sharp-edged rocks.
Most affected are the buttocks due to the sharp edges of the rocks. Some end up with scratches on their limbs, wearing their mud-streaked bodies with pride as a testament to overcoming themselves. The journey concludes at the pickup point after more than 6 km on the third day.
A total of 18 km, including over 2 km of swimming and approximately 3.5 km exploring six caves. It's safe to say it was absolutely fantastic and not as strenuous as many might think. Perhaps it's because the journey is exceptionally unique and always filled with novelty.
Our joy is heightened by the professionalism of the organizers here, surpassing exploration tours in Chiang Mai (Thailand), Sabah (Malaysia), and more. In 2014, Tú Làn welcomed nearly 2,000 visitors, with over 80% being international travelers.
Visitors are impressed by the impeccably clean makeshift toilets, always stocked with antibacterial hand sanitizer. Drinking water and cooking water are filtered using imported equipment.
The guides and porters are enthusiastic, knowledgeable, skilled, and passionate. That's why the tour prices, though a bit steep, are truly 'worth every penny.'
As reported by DNSGCT
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Reference: Travel Guide on Mytour
MytourNovember 6, 2015
