En Cave

History:

From Phong Nha eco-tourism and cultural center, running along Ho Chi Minh trail, tourists will start their journey to discover Hang En Cave, one of the new tourist attractions in Phong Nha – Ke Bang. The road to Hang En Cave passes a beautiful primitive forest among the sounds of birdsong and butterflies wafting. Hang En was first described in 1994 with a length of 1.645m, over 170m wide and 120 meters high by British Cave Research Association. Hang En retains 3 entrances, one located at halfway up the mountain, one at the foot of the mountain to the southeast, and the other at southwest. Two entrances at the foot of the mountain is under the flow of Rao Thuong River. This is a rare feature in comparison with many other caves in Vietnam. The cave owns the name of Hang En Cave for there has been numerous swallows concentrating here for a long time.

Description:

Hang En Cave is the lyrical choral of the river – the stream – the mountain in Phong Nha – Ke Bang with beauty as the Penglai realm. Tourists will have the opportunity to admire the untouched beauty and the grandeur of the immense primitive forest, charming blue Rao Thuong River along with the landscapes of endless beauty that nature has favorably bestowed. On the trekking journey to Hang En Cave, one of the most spectacular caves in the system of 300 multi-size caves in the limestone area of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh, tourists also have a chance to experience the daily life and customs of Bru – Van Kieu ethnic minority contemporary living among majestic Truong Son.

The southeast Entrance of the cave nearly 100m wide is separated by a giant stone pillar. Right at the entrance there are sediments of immense wonderful pebbles and cobblestone. Surrounding the cave is the lush green forest, which is very suitable for camping. Inside the cave, tourists will catch three lakes separated by the small mudflats and ranges of boulders stacked each other. On the ceiling cave, cliffs house diversified stalactites and especially swallow nests. In sunset, thousands of swallow wings perturbing in cave’s entrance. The sounds of birdsong as remixes among beautiful green forests making the massive cave without solitude.

Giant stalactites in cave were formed by the flow of flood eroding over millions of years. Yet the stream in the cave was really wonderful compared to other caves in Phong Nha – Ke Bang. Rao Thuong Stream continuously winded under an S-shape crossing the alluvial looming in Hang En Cave. There were numerous stalactites in all shapes and colors scattered everywhere in cave. The flow of the stream seemed not to leave the magnificent cave. Especially, over 1km deep from the cave’s entrance, a sedimentary sinkholes created skylights, which brought the sun down emerald stream and formed a magnificent picture. The scenery looked like the Penglai realm. The cold of the stalactites, jade green color of cold water would certainly make tourists feelings of floating in the fairy world.

The entrance of Hang En Cave is an enchanted round-shaped arch. A strangely majestic entrance 83m hight and 35m wide will definitely make any tourists surprised. Humans seem too small when standing before this entrance. In particular, right in the cave, photographer Carsten Peter launched an artworks “Hang En Cave” which was voted as one of the most beautiful natural picture in March 2011 by National Geographic magazine.

The unique feature of Hang En Cave that Phong Nha Cave, Thien Duong (Heaven) Cave and other caves in Phong Nha – Ke Bang cannot be found is the magical light from skylights shining on the ceiling of the cave creating much more fanciful and sparking scenery. Hang En looks like a fairy world of diverse flora. View from the cave’s entrance, tourists can admire vivid landscapes, wide sandy shores and lush green primitive forest from afar…

Setting foot in Hang En Cave, tourists have the opportunity to explore the spectacular cave, immerse in the pristine natural landscapes of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park and dispel all anxiety of daily life. In addition, tourists can participate in activities such as go camping, fishing, contemplate langur or visit Doong village – an upland village to feel living activities remaining untouched characteristics of the ethnic minority right in the heritage. Hang En is worth an exciting tourist attraction in Phong Nha – Ke Bang travel.