Ho Cong Cave
Ho Cong Cave
Ho Cong Cave
Ho Cong Cave
Ho Cong Cave
Ho Cong Cave
Ho Cong Cave
Ho Cong Cave
Ho Cong Cave
Ho Cong Cave

Introdution

Price: Updating

Phone: 02373870241

Time to visit a place: No limit

Open Time: 7:00 AM - Close Time: 6:00 PM

Email: ninhkhang.vinhloc@thanhhoa.gov.vn

Address: xa ninh khang, huyen vinh loc, thanh hoa

Hồ Công Cave is a renowned natural attraction in Vĩnh Lộc District, specifically in Thanh Hóa Province. From Thanh Hóa City, visitors can travel along National Road 45 heading west for about 40 km, cross the Kiểu Bridge, and reach Ninh Khang commune (Vĩnh Lộc) to arrive at the site. Alternatively, visitors can take National Road 1A heading north to Đò Lèn Bridge, then turn onto Road 217 to go up to Vĩnh Lộc, passing through Kiểu Town. Another option is to take a boat along the Mã River, heading upstream for about 15 km to reach Kiểu Wharf. The entire complex of the site is spread across a contiguous area of more than 17.3 hectares.

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Arriving in Vĩnh Lộc: Visiting the Scenic Site of Hồ Công Cave - One of the Most Famous Wonders in the South

Hồ Công Cave is a renowned natural attraction in Vĩnh Lộc District, specifically in Thanh Hóa Province. From Thanh Hóa City, visitors can travel along National Road 45 heading west for about 40 km, cross the Kiểu Bridge, and reach Ninh Khang commune (Vĩnh Lộc) to arrive at the site. Alternatively, visitors can take National Road 1A heading north to Đò Lèn Bridge, then turn onto Road 217 to go up to Vĩnh Lộc, passing through Kiểu Town. Another option is to take a boat along the Mã River, heading upstream for about 15 km to reach Kiểu Wharf. The entire complex of the site is spread across a contiguous area of more than 17.3 hectares.

From this point, looking in all directions on a clear day, visitors can see the panoramic view from Xuân Đài Mountain. The Mã River meanders from Cẩm Thuỷ, flowing across the base of the mountain, embracing vast, prosperous villages. The villages of Hồ Nam and Thiên Vực also appear under the green canopies. Looking westward, one can also see Tiến Sĩ Mountain in the distance.

Hồ Công Cave is a famous site, as recorded in the Đại Nam nhất thống chí (The Comprehensive Geography of Đại Nam), which praises it as the most beautiful cave among the thirty-six caves in the southern region:

Nam thiên tam thập lục động
Hồ Công đệ nhất
Translation:
Thirty-six caves in the South
Hồ Công Cave is the most beautiful.

 
Hồ Công Cave – A Famous Site of Vĩnh Lộc District

Hồ Công Cave is like a giant gourd-shaped stone located on the slope of Xuân Đài Mountain, with a wide opening. The cave’s entrance has two stone statues, which are said to represent Hồ Công and Phí Trường Phòng – a disciple of Hồ Công. The cave’s ceiling features a large stalactite resembling a hammer, hanging suspended above, which creates a musical sound when struck. Inside the cave, there are traces of the location where Hồ Công, the immortal, is believed to have meditated and practiced alchemy. The cave has been listed as one of the "Thirty-six caves of the Southern Sky, with Hồ Công Cave being the best." This is indeed true, as remnants from the site and on the cave walls, as well as on the stone pillars outside the entrance, bear dozens of poems written by famous poets and figures, such as King Lê Thánh Tông, King Lê Hiến Tông, Nguyễn Nghiễm (the father of the great poet Nguyễn Du), Lord Trịnh Sâm, and others. Notably, one stone inscription bears the four characters “Thanh kỳ khả ái” (meaning “Thanh Hóa’s Wonderful Beauty”).

Before entering Hồ Công Cave, visitors must pass by Du Anh Pagoda. The pagoda lies at the foot of Xuân Đài Mountain and was established during the Lý Dynasty. During the Trần Dynasty, King Trần Nghệ Tông brought Princess Du Anh to go on a pilgrimage at the pagoda and to receive treatment. The princess was cured using herbal remedies found in Hồ Công Cave. The king then donated funds to upgrade the pagoda into a three-building structure, which was overseen by the princess. The pagoda was hence named Du Anh Pagoda.
 

The Path to Hồ Công Cave

The cave measures about 45 meters in length and 23 meters in width. The path leading up to the cave is marked by a large stone inscribed with the four Chinese characters “Thanh Kỳ Khả Ái,” which were carved by the original lord, Trịnh Sâm, in October of the year Canh Dần (1770). The cave walls still bear numerous poems written in Chinese, including famous works by King Lê Thánh Tông, King Lê Hiến Tông, Lord Trịnh Sâm, Nguyễn Nghiễm, and Ngô Thì Sĩ, all expressing admiration for the cave’s beautiful and poetic natural scenery.
 

Traces on the Cave

Overall, the Hồ Công Cave scenic site is a complex that brings together mountains, rivers, caves, and pagodas. Hồ Công Cave on Xuân Đài Mountain, together with Trác Phong Mountain, forms a natural “pair of paintings” suspended in the sky, accentuated by Du Anh Pagoda. Today, the site still preserves valuable artifacts, such as stone steles inscribed with poems by famous scholars and several other steles, along with numerous stone statues of elephants and lions. With its significant value in research, history, geography, culture, and religion, the Hồ Công Cave scenic site was designated as a provincial heritage site in 2003 and as a national heritage site in 2009. The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee signed a decision recognizing Hồ Công Cave as a tourist destination in Decision No. 5214/QĐ-UBND on December 21, 2018.

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Introdution

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Hồ Công Cave is a renowned natural attraction in Vĩnh Lộc District, specifically in Thanh Hóa Province. From Thanh Hóa City, visitors can travel along National Road 45 heading west for about 40 km, cross the Kiểu Bridge, and reach Ninh Khang commune (Vĩnh Lộc) to arrive at the site. Alternatively, visitors can take National Road 1A heading north to Đò Lèn Bridge, then turn onto Road 217 to go up to Vĩnh Lộc, passing through Kiểu Town. Another option is to take a boat along the Mã River, heading upstream for about 15 km to reach Kiểu Wharf. The entire complex of the site is spread across a contiguous area of more than 17.3 hectares.

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