Thien Canh Son Cave is a limestone cave in Bai Tu Long Bay, located on Cong Do Island, east of Halong Bay. It is one of 59 officially recorded caves in the Halong Bay area and is accessed mainly by overnight cruises traveling through Bai Tu Long Bay.
The cave features three chambers filled with stalactites and stalagmites, a short stair climb to the entrance, and a natural viewpoint overlooking the bay after exiting. Compared with popular caves like Sung Sot, Thien Canh Son receives significantly fewer visitors, making it suitable for travelers who prefer quieter routes and less commercialized stops. This article explains what you will see inside the cave, its associated folklore, and what to expect during a visit.
Table of Contents
What You’ll See
The most convenient way to access Thien Canh Son Cave is by joining a cruise ship that includes it on its route. The boat will bring you to the shore of the island, where you’ll disembark and begin your climb up the 60 odd steps to the entrance of the cave. It’s not a harrowing climb by any means, but those with mobility difficulties should take care and be aware of this beforehand. Once you ascend the stairs you’ll find yourself in a small clearing, an uncommon sight in the thick foliage that adorns Cong Do Island.
The entrance to the cave is small and unassuming, looking at it from the outside lends no hand in picturing what is held within. You’ll need to duck down slightly so as not to hit your head on the low entrance, and then follow the downward sloping path into the first cavern. Thien Canh Son Cave is comprised of three caverns in total, each one strewn with stalactites and stalagmites. Unlike the more documented Sung Sot ‘Surprising’ Cave, Thien Canh Son is smaller, and far less crowded with visitors, yet doesn’t lack anything in terms of structure and things to see.
Legend & Folklore
Like the formation of the cave itself, its legends have formed over quite some time. Each of the unique structures have been interpreted and likened to recognisable objects. No doubt when you visit Thien Canh Son Cave you’ll be told about the collection of stalagmites that resembles a baby elephant, or the lotus flower, or the group of gnomes holding a meeting. Granted, it takes a stretch of the imagination and a good sense of humour, but it’s part of the experience, and the locals will have fun sharing the stories with you.
What to Do
Take your time touring around the cave, there’s plenty to see inside thanks to the (albeit limited) natural light accompanied by a smattering of artificial lights. When you’ve finished exploring the inner caverns, take the chance to steps back out into daylight and enjoy the view of Bai Tu Long Bay from your vantage point, it’s a nice place to snap a few photos.
Up until last year, the main attraction at Thien Canh Son Cave was the cave dining experience. Many of the Halong Bay tour operators used to organise fancy candle lit dinners inside various Halong caves, including this one. However, due to a few unfortunate incidents of damage to the stone structures and as a general move to preserve the integrity of these ancient formations, cave dining has since been banned.
