Dam Da is a favourite destination, which is located in Phu Lao Commune, Lac Thuy District, Hoa Binh Province.
While such names as Hoa Tien grotto, Tien Phi grotto, Mai Chau valley, Hoa Binh hydroelectric dam are tourists highlights, Dam Da seems to be an obscure historical site.
This is a vast complex of temples, pagodas and caves, including Trinh temple (also known as Quan Trinh), Mau temple, Tien pagoda and others.
Dam Da hosts annual festival in the fourth month of the lunar year, attracting many pilgrims from the province and neighboring regions.
In the complex, Tien Pagoda has been recognized as a national historical cultural site which attracts many visitors to come here for sightseeing or worship.
Nguoi Xua Cave is renowned as a national archaeological location with many vestiges of ancient Vietnamese people, contributing a great deal to the historical study.
Scattered around the complex are temples and pagodas such as Trinh Temple, Mau Temple and Tien Pagoda, which are dedicated to worship legendary characters such as Au Co Mother, Lac Long Quan Father, Hoang Bay Mandarin and Tam Toa Thanh Mau.
Dam Da also has over 20 mysterious caves including Tam Toa, Thuy Tien, Cung Tien, Hoang Muoi and Co Chin. In the caves, stalactites in diverse colors and shapes hang. As the caves’ entrances are situated halfway up the mountains, travelers have to trek to reach them.
One will find it extremely difficult to list all the caves here. When coming into each cave, tourists will be totally taken by surprised at the gigantic and illusory stalagmites and stalactites.
Dam Da is most crowded in spring, particularly from January to March when there is Chua Tien festival. It is also convenient for tourists to visit Huong pagoda nearby – a famous attraction in My Duc district, Hanoi.
