 Thach Dong, a huge limestone mountain, is located 4km from the center of Ha Tien. |
To the left of Thach Dong entrance is a stone stele, erected to commemorate the southwest border defense war in the last century. During the war, Thach Dong was a strategic defense location.
Entering Thach Dong, visitors will see large and small caves formed from geological changes. Inside Thach Dong is Tien Son pagoda, believed to be built in the late 18th century to worship Shakyamuni Buddha and Bodhisattva Avalokitevara.
The cave’s large main entrance has stone stairs. There are also three small gates linked to the upper part and a small gate connecting to an underground path which is called the “door to hell”. On the walls of the caves, there are protruding rocks that are now home to hundreds of pigeons.
The cave has many stalactites of varying shapes. At the front gate of the cave, tourists can see a three-meter stalactite in the shape of an eagle’s wing.
Thach Dong is also the place where Thach Sanh fairy tale came from. There is a small corner to the east of the cave which leads to “heaven”, as legend has it. Thach Sanh got through this corner to kill the monster and rescue princess Quynh Nga and the son of Thuy Te king.
 Inside Thach Dong is Tien Son pagoda, where one can pray to Shakyamuni Buddha and Bodhisattva Avalokitevara. |
Thach Dong is a famous tourist attraction because it was chosen as the background for various films, including late director Do Quang Hai Au’s Thach Sanh Legend, and director Nguyen Vinh Son’s Southern Land.
“Thach Dong and Ha Tien have a unique and pristine beauty and should be introduced to more local and foreign visitors,” said Le Anh Tai, a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City./.
