Da Dung Mountain Caves

Núi Đá Dựng

Useful Information

Location:	Mỹ Dức, Hà Tiên, Kiên Giang. Son My Commune, Ha Tien Town, Kien Giang Province. 8 km from the Cambodian border in the Gulf of Thailand. From Ha Tien Town 6 km on National Road 80 west towards Xa Xia border gate. At Thach Dong turn right and follow a winding road through karst towers for 2.8 km. (10.4287003, 104.4773077)
Open:	All year daily 8-16:30. [2024]
Fee:	Adults VND 20,000. [2024]
Classification:	Karst Cave
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Da Dung Mountain Caves, Mỹ Dức, Hà Tiên, Kiên Giang.
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

1977–1978	mountain used as an outpost in the Southwest border war.
03-AUG-2007	declared a National Monument.

Description

Núi Đá Dựng (Da Dung Mountain, Mountain of Erected Rocks), which is also known as Chau Nham Son Mountain or Bach Mountain (White Mountain), is a huge outcrop of limestone in the flat plains of southern Vietnam. As a result of the warm and humid climate, the mountain of soluble rock is riddled with caves, actually the mountain itself is the result of the solution of a once much bigger outcrop of limestone. It is one of many karst towers in the area, about 100 m high and contains 14 different caves. The mountain and several of the caves are developed by paths and visited with a single park entrance fee. The full tour takes some time, we recommend a full-day trip for this extraordinary sight. And as you have to walk a lot in the hot and humid air, you should bring sun protection and plenty to drink.

Tham Than Kim Quy (Golden Turtle Cave) is named after a huge rock inside the cave, which has the shape of a turtle.
Tham Doi (Bat Cave) has a huge stalactite in the shape of a wine gourd.
Tham Bong Lai (Hang Bồng Lai, Elysium Cave) is known for its strange micro climate. The humid air from outside forms fog or clouds like a clouded sky in the middle of the chamber.
Tham Kho Qua (Bitter Melon Cave) was named after giant, bitter melon shaped stalactites. A stalagmite has the form of a monk who is lightly nodding his head.
Tham Sam Hoi (Penitence Cave)
Tham Cong Troi (Haven's Gate Cave)
Tham Trong Nguc (Chest Drum Cave)
Tham Lau Chuong (Bell Tower Cave) was named after the bell like sound emerging from the stalagmites when they are hit. Actually hitting stalagmite is a bad idea, as they might break and get shiny by the touch, so we do not recommend it.
Lady Chua Xu Cave
Coi Hang Da Cave was the home of the local Hercules-like hero Thach Sanh and according to legend is the place where Thach Sanh drew a bow and shot a giant eagle to rescue Princess Quynh Nga.

Many caves in the hill are rather small, and there is no light necessary. Others with dark parts have electric light. Trails and staircases make all the caves accessible.