A visit to Trong Cave and Trinh Nu Cave leaves you wistful over a love story left unfinished

1 Pinpointing the exact locations of Trong Cave and Trinh Nu Cave

Part of the Ha Long Bay scenic complex, Trong Cave and Trinh Nu Cave lie in the Bo Hon archipelago, 15km south of Bai Chay. The two caves face each other, about 700, 800m apart, with the waters and islands of Ha Long Bay between them. Besides captivating visitors with their romantic, distinctive scenery, Trong Cave and Trinh Nu Cave are also associated with the ill-fated love story of a young couple from long ago, leaving visitors with a lingering sadness. 

See also: Lose yourself in Dau Go Cave, where the scenery leaves a lasting impression

2 How can you get to Trong Cave and Trinh Nu Cave?

At present, the only way to reach these remarkable caves is by boat. You can buy a ticket for Route 2 in the Cave Park Conservation Center area at Tuan Chau International Passenger Port. Tickets range from 240.000 VNĐ to 290.000 VNĐ / person. 

Along the way, you can explore the many islands and limestone karsts of varying sizes across Ha Long, including Sung Sot Cave, Ti Top Island, Luon Cave, and more, before stopping at Trong Cave and Trinh Nu Cave to hear the tale of the tragic love story from long ago.

3 Trong Cave and Trinh Nu Cave – two islands forever linked to a beautiful, unfinished love story

In Tiễn dặn người yêu (The Farewell to My Lover), a celebrated work of the Thai people, there is a line that goes, “If we cannot marry in summer, we will marry in winter. If we cannot marry while young, we will marry when we are widowed in old age.” Yet the love story of the young couple from long ago did not bring them together even in old age; they could only be reunited after they had both left this world.

According to an old legend, there was once a very beautiful girl in a fishing village. However, because her family was poor, they had to send her to work for a local landlord. Taken with her beauty and gentle nature, he tried to force her to become his concubine, but she refused because she already had a lover. At the time, the young man was out at sea fishing to prepare for their wedding. Unable to persuade the girl, the landlord banished her to a deserted island. After enduring nights of storms, hunger, and cold, she grew weak and turned to stone. The place where she turned to stone later became known as Trinh Nu Cave.

As for the young man, when he returned and heard that his beloved had been banished to a deserted island, he hurried back to find her. During a stormy night, the waves smashed his boat to pieces. He was washed ashore on the island and saw the image of his beloved beckoning to him. The young man struck the cliff with a rock to let her know he had returned. He kept striking it until both his hands were drenched in blood. At last, he grew weak and turned to stone, just like his beloved. The place where he turned to stone was later named Trong Cave.

Traces of the fierce storm from that moving love story between the young couple have endured to this day. They are Trong Cave and Trinh Nu Cave. Inside the caves, you can easily spot broken rocks scattered about, hear the wind roaring through the cliffs, and see white waves surging nearby.

Local people say that on stormy nights, when they pass by, they can hear the wind striking the cave walls like the sound of a drum. They believe it is the lovers’ vow from long ago—the call of an eternal love that forever reaches out to the other. If they could not be together in their youth, then they would turn to stone so they could remain together for all eternity...

4 The romantic beauty of Trong Cave and Trinh Nu Cave leaves a lasting impression

4.1 Trong Cave and Trinh Nu Cave – where the image of a steadfast, faithful young woman lives on

At Trinh Nu Cave, you can easily see a stone statue just inside the entrance: a woman lying with her hair flowing loose, as if waiting for someone to return from far out at sea. That is why Trinh Nu Cave is a place many couples hope to visit together. They come to hear the legend of eternal love from long ago and to exchange vows of everlasting devotion.

4.2 Trong Cave and the image of the faithful young man from long ago

Directly opposite Trinh Nu Cave is Trong Cave. Interestingly, the two caves are connected by a passage running east to west, making it easy to move from one cave to the other and back again. In contrast to the feminine, soft, and graceful feel of Trinh Nu Cave, Trong Cave has a more powerful and somewhat mysterious beauty.

The cave ceiling is adorned with clusters of silvery-white stalactites, along with a stone statue depicting a young man facing Trinh Nu Cave. When rays of light filter into the cave, Trong Cave seems to glow, taking on an almost magical radiance.

In these radiant moments, visitors can easily hear the sea breeze sweeping through the crevices in the rocks and echoing throughout the cave, creating a melodious, captivating tune with an indescribably wistful quality.

Outside Trong Cave and Trinh Nu Cave, lush vegetation flourishes throughout the year. From the cave entrance, you can take in the peaceful scenery of distant Ha Long Bay and listen to the fascinating sound of the sea breeze passing through the rocky crevices. Here, surrounded by the beautiful landscape, your heart may suddenly feel wonderfully light.

5 Things to keep in mind if you plan to explore Trong Cave and Trinh Nu Cave

As one of the most popular attractions in Ha Long, especially among couples, Trong Cave and Trinh Nu Cave welcome many young visitors. If you plan to explore the caves, keep in mind these tips from MIA.vn to help your trip go smoothly:

- The best time to visit Trong Cave and Trinh Nu Cave is from around April to June. At this time, the weather in Ha Long is warm and sunny, with little rain and no storms, making it ideal for sightseeing and exploring

- Choose comfortable, loose-fitting clothes and a pair of sneakers to make it easier to get around the caves

- Bring mosquito repellent, sunscreen, and a flashlight to make your trip even more memorable

- Buy tickets at Tuan Chau Port and avoid ticket touts outside to reduce the risk of being overcharged or even scammed

- Pack light to make getting around easier

- If you would like lunch, meals are usually available on the boats, priced from 150.000 VNĐ to 250.000 VNĐ

More than just islands with distinctive shapes in the middle of Ha Long Bay, Trong Cave and Trinh Nu Cave are also linked to the sad love story of a couple from long ago. If you have the chance to visit, be sure to explore the caves at least once.