Hang Pagoda (Kim Son Tu)

About this location

Hang Pagoda (Kim Son Tu) - Ancient Buddhist Cave in Thai Nguyen Hang Pagoda (Kim Son Tu), also known as "Tien Lu Phuat Dong", is located about 3km north of Thai Nguyen city center. According to legend, the pagoda was established by King Ly Thanh Tong in the 11th century after a dream where he was guided by Buddha to the sacred land of Dong Hy, with Imperial Concubine Y Lan directly organizing its construction inside a mountain cave. On February 26, 1999, Hang Pagoda was recognized as a National Historical - Cultural Relic and Scenic Spot. The relic site features a unique landscape with three independent limestone mountains connected by a saddle-like ridge: the majestic Xuan Vu mountain in the center, flanked by Thanh Long (Blue Dragon) and Bach Ho (White Tiger). Inside the cave, many stelae carved into rock faces from the Early Le to Late Nguyen dynasties are preserved, recording poems and prose by literary figures such as Cao Ba Quat and Vu Quynh. The current complex spans an area of 8.2 hectares, comprising the cave-mountain conservation zone, the spiritual architectural axis with the Tam Bao main hall, stupas, bell and drum towers, as well as a Zen monastery and festival courtyard. With its majestic cave and limestone mountain scenery and verified Ly dynasty legend background, this location is suitable for historical period dramas, myth-fantasy films inspired by "fairy grottoes", and Vietnamese Buddhist cultural documentaries. Information compiled from various sources by: PTIT. Photo source: Internet

Location rules

• Maintain cleanliness and order: No littering, smoking, or using flammable/explosive materials inside the pagoda and cave area; keep quiet and avoid high volume audio that disturbs the sacred atmosphere.
• Modest attire: All crew members, cast, and staff must dress politely and modestly; no short or offensive clothing is allowed within the spiritual heritage grounds.

Infrastructure

Special notes

• Crowded and congested during festival seasons, full moon days, and the 1st of the lunar month
• Traffic along National Highway 1B, congestion, parking
• Slippery cave stone floors, low lighting, risk of hitting stalactites
• Storms and rising water levels of the Cau River