Dau Go Cave: A Guide To The "Wooden Head" Cave

The cave

Don’t let the distance put you off: Dau Go Cave is one of Halong Bay’s most famous caves due to its sheer size and volume. When French tourists first explored the cave in the 19th century they called it “Grotte des Marveilles” which means “Cave of Wonders” in English. And a cave of wonders it truly is - words can’t do justice to the cave’s beauty so you’ll have to go and see for yourself!

Inside Dau Go cave
 

Dau Go Cave is 27 meters above sea level and visitors must climb 90 rocky steps to reach the mouth of the cave. It has three large chambers, each containing imposing displays of stalactites and stalagmites and historic graffiti dating back to the excursions of the French. Due to the large open entrance, the cave has a humid atmosphere. In the cave’s third chamber there is a large freshwater lake.

In 1918, the 12th Emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty in Vietnam paid a visit to Dau Go Cave and found it so inspiring that he penned a poem praising its beauty. The poem was etched onto the left-hand side of the cave.

Name origins

As for its name origins, Dau Go Cave is said to be named after wooden stakes because, during a Mongol invasion, the General Tran Hung Dao used the cave to house wooden stakes from the mainland before they were transported down the Bach Dang River to use in battle to destroy the enemy’s boats.

Many consider the visit to Dau Go Cave a highlight of their trip to Halong Bay, it is a breathtaking Cave and worth the 90-step hike!