In the imagination
of the Vietnamese people, Halong Bay itself is explained by a legend, saying
that the islands and islets in the bay was spit out by a dragon family in
effort of defending against the invading ships. After winning the battle, they
decided to live in the bay. Where the mother dragon descended is Halong Bay
today, hence the name (Halong means Descending Dragon).
But that is not the
only legend here. In fact, there’re many islands and caves in Halong Bay that
is associated with a story, either a legend or a historical events. Here’re the
3 most famous of them all.
1. Dau Go Cave (Cave of the Wooden Stakes)
This majestic cave is linked with a major victory in the 13th
century, when Vietnam was under Tran Dynasty. Back then, the formidable Mongol
tried to invade many parts of Asia continent, including Vietnam. Against the
invasion army, General Tran Hung Dao demanded to deploy an immense wooden
stakes formation under Bach Dang River. In preparation for that, the Vietnamese
had to hide those secret traps inside Dau Go Cave. As it turned out, hundreds
of Mongol battle ships were punctured by the wooden stakes when the tides went
up and at the end, the Vietnamese prevailed.
2. Trinh Nu Cave (Cave of the Virgin)
Unlike the glorious
story of Dau Go Cave, the legend of Trinh Nu Cave is a sad love story. It says
that once upon a time, there was a beautiful girl, born and raised in a poor
fishing family. To make a living, they have to work for the lord of the
village. Realizing the beauty of the young girl, he tried to force a marriage
with her. As having already engaged with another man who was then away on the
sea fishing, the girl refused to get married with the lord. After all efforts
turned out in vain, he exiled her to a desert island. Suffered with starve and
exhaustion, in a stormy night, she turned into stone here. Hearing the bad
news, her fiancée set sails, trying to search for her in desperation.
Unfortunately, a lightning stroke right at his boat and he was drifted to the
same island. In a sudden bolt, he could see his future wife calling for him
desperately. He tried to reach her but couldn’t. And in exhaustion, he ended up
turning into stone as well. Today, the girl’s island was called Trinh Nu Cave
(the Cave of the Virgin). In front of the cave, visitor can see her statue.
Opposite to it is Trong Cave or Con Trai Cave, meaning Cave of the Man.
3. Cat Ba Island (Island of the Ladies)
Cat Ba is the
biggest island in Halong Bay area. Its name was believed to be wrongly
pronounced as the correct name should be Cac Ba (literally means the Ladies).
Legends say the ladies and the young women once work here to support the men
fighting against invasion army on another island named Cac Ong, now called Cat
Ong (Island of the Men).
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