Hoa Lu cave is located in Gia Hung commune, Gia Vien district, Ninh Binh province, north Vietnam. Discover Hoa Lu cave by joining either our Hoa Lu Tam Coc day trip or the 2 day cycling tour from Hanoi.

Hoa Lu is the first base of Dinh Bo Linh soldiers in the mission of unifying the nation in the 10th century. It is about 15km from the former imperial city of Hoa Lu and about 20km to the north of Ninh Binh city.

Although being called “cave”, this vestige is only an open-air valley, which is about 16 hectares, which is surrounded by arcing mountains. Hoa Lu cave is all covered by Limestone Mountains, which is very solid, and there is only one entrance at the height of 30m. The outer surrounding is Cut lagoon which is about 3km long and 500m wide. It plays the role of the natural moat to protect the valley and the way out to Day River.

This place has only one way in and out and it’s impossible to reach further. No one dare to come in due to there are many mysterious legends. Thung Lau and Thung La were used to hire an army of warlike soldiers and they will be brought into the frontier when it is needed.

Along with the Hoa Lu former imperial city, La valley, and Dinh Bo Linh temple are all related to the life of Dinh Tien Hoang. Among them, La valley is already built. This is the temple honoring the mother of Dinh Bo Linh. Thung La is right next to Thung Lau and settled among the sky-high limestone mountains. There are many herbal trees which is good in curing the disease in this place. Therefore, when the soldier of Dinh Bo Linh were injured, they were often carried here for treatment. They also said that Thung La is the magical jungle. Everybody often came here to light and incense before they come to the jungle. Thung La has the temple of mother of king Dinh and the mysterious woman who help him in defeating the enemy. The Hoa Lu cave is being built and restored to become the historical vestige.

In the middle of Hoa Lu, there is the small temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang and the God Nguyen Minh Khong. The temple was built in the former base of his “citadel”. According to the legend, he often arranged troops with his friend to playe the game of war when he was a kid.

Read more

• Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
• Thung Nai Hoa Binh
• Tram Gian Pagoda
• Tam Coc Ninh Binh
• Ho Coc Beach

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