Hang Bụt

Buddha Cave

Useful Information

Location:	Thung Nham, Thôn Hải Nham, Hoa Lư, Ninh Bình. 14 km from Ninh Binh city center. From Ninh Binh follow QL1A south 3.8km, turn right on DT491C to Hoa Lư 3.4 km, turn right to Thung Nham. Boats start at the jetty at the southern end of the lake. (20.2168372, 105.8886320)
Open:	Thung Nham Ecotourism Area: Summer daily 7-18. Winter daily 7:30-17:30. [2024]
Fee:	Thung Nham Ecotourism Area: Adults VND 150,000, Children (1m-1.3m) VND 100,000, Children (<1m) free, Seniors (80+) free, Disabled free. [2024]
Classification:	Karst Cave
Light:	bring torch, provided by boat
Dimension:
Guided tours:	boat ride, L=500 m.
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Thung Nham Ecotourism Area, Thung Nham, Thôn Hải Nham, Hoa Lư, Ninh Bình, Tel: +84-912-900-887. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

Hang Bụt (Buddha Cave) is one of numerous caves in the karstified and forested hills, which belong to the Thung Nham Ecotourism Zone. The visit is included in the entrance fee of the zone, including the boat ride. The zone has three show caves which can be visited on the same day, due to the size of the area you should plan a full day. The three caves are Vai Gioi Cave, Buddha Cave, and Mermaid Cave.

Buddha Cave is a river cave and visited by boat. The underground boat tour is 500 m long, it connects the valley of the eco park with the surrounding delta of the Red River. It is also the access to visit nearby Thien Ha Cave.

According to local lore Buddha Cave was the only path leading to the fertile valley inside the karst towers. In years of poor harvests and famine, the men risked their lives, by walking through the dense forests and climbing towering cliffs of Tuong Mountain in search of food. When they discovered the cave one year after a big flood, they were afraid of the darkness and lurking danger. But one day, they met an old man with a gentle appearance and white hair and beard. He taught them how to cross Buddha Cave safely. They finally reached the hidden, fertile land and were quite astonished. When they turned around to thank the old man, he was gone, and where he had just stood, there was an imposing stone statue which looked exactly like him. The villagers believe that the old man is the Buddha who came from heaven to save the people.