1. About Dau Go Cave — Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail |
Information |
| Vietnamese name |
Hang Đầu Gỗ (Dau Go Cave) |
| English meaning |
“Wooden Stakes Cave” |
| French name (historical) |
Grotte des Merveilles (“Cave of Wonders”) |
| Location |
Dau Go Island, Halong Bay, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam |
| Distance from Tuan Chau |
Approximately 3 km |
| Distance from Bai Chay |
Approximately 6 km |
| Geological age |
Approximately 2 million years |
| Total area |
Approximately 5,000 square meters |
| Altitude |
Approximately 27 meters above sea level |
| Entrance steps |
Approximately 90 stone steps |
| Number of chambers |
3 connected chambers |
| Royal visit |
King Khai Dinh, 1917 — composed a poem inscribed on a stone stele inside the cave |
| Opening hours |
08:00 – 18:00 daily |
| Accessed via |
Halong Bay Sightseeing Route 1 |
2. Location: Where Is Dau Go Cave?
A stone stairway of approximately 90 steps climbs the cliffside of Dau Go Island to the cave’s wide entrance, which resembles a jellyfish silhouette from the water.
Dau Go Cave is located on Dau Go Island in the western area of Halong Bay, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam — approximately 3 kilometers from Tuan Chau Island and 6 kilometers from Bai Chay tourist area.
The cave sits just 300 meters from Thien Cung Cave on the very same island, making the two caves a natural and convenient pairing on any half-day excursion. Geologists believe both caves formed at a similar time, around 2 million years ago, through the same process of limestone dissolution that shaped much of Halong Bay’s karst landscape.
Dau Go Cave is a centerpiece of Halong Bay Sightseeing Route 1 — the shorter, more accessible 4-hour cruise route that also includes Thien Cung Cave, Cho Da Islet, Ba Hang Cave, Dinh Huong Islet, and Trong Mai Islet. The cave is accessible only by boat, and visitors reach the entrance by climbing a stone stairway carved into the cliffside.
3. History & the Meaning of “Dau Go”
The name “Dau Go” translates literally to “Wooden Stakes” in Vietnamese, and the cave carries at least three different local explanations for how it earned this name — each one passed down through generations of fishermen and storytellers in the bay.
The most widely told explanation connects directly to the legend of General Tran Hung Dao and the 13th-century wars against Mongol invaders (detailed fully in the next section). A second, more practical explanation holds that fishermen historically used the sheltered waters around Dau Go Island to take refuge from storms, repairing their boats here and leaving behind scraps of timber — giving the area its name over time. A third explanation is purely visual: seen from a distance, Dau Go Island itself resembles a giant floating log, with two cave-like openings at either end resembling the holes used to thread rope through timber for transport.
European visitors discovered the cave in the early 20th century and were captivated by its scale and beauty. French travel writer Rene Kolvaard featured it in his 1938 book Marvels of the World, where he gave it the name “Grotte des Merveilles” — the Cave of Wonders. In 1917, Emperor Khai Dinh visited the cave alongside French Governor-General Albert Sarraut. So moved was the king by its splendor that he composed a poem in its honor, which was carved into a stone stele that remains inside the cave to this day — a rare and tangible link between Vietnam’s royal history and Halong Bay’s natural wonders.
4. The Legend of Tran Hung Dao’s Wooden Stakes
The story that gives Dau Go Cave its enduring fame is rooted in one of the most celebrated military victories in Vietnamese history.
In the 13th century, Vietnam faced repeated invasions from the Mongol Empire — then the most formidable military force in the world. Vietnamese commander-in-chief Tran Hung Dao devised an ingenious strategy to defeat the Mongol naval fleet on the Bach Dang River. According to legend, he ordered large quantities of sharpened wooden stakes to be prepared in secret — and Dau Go Cave is said to be where these stakes were hidden and stored before the decisive battle.
The stakes were driven into the riverbed at low tide, concealed beneath the rising water. When the Mongol fleet advanced upriver at high tide, Tran Hung Dao’s forces lured them further inland — then waited for the tide to fall. As the water receded, the hidden stakes pierced and trapped the enemy’s wooden ships, leaving them stranded and vulnerable. The resulting battle was a resounding Vietnamese victory, helping to repel the Mongol invasion and securing the nation’s independence.
After the war, local people reportedly found leftover wooden stakes still inside the cave — giving rise to the name “Dau Go,” understood by many as a phonetic shift from the phrase “giấu gỗ”, meaning “hidden wood.” Today, visitors exploring the cave’s chambers often pause to imagine the cave as it once was: a secret wartime arsenal, hidden within the very limestone cliffs that now draw photographers and history lovers from around the world.
5. Inside the Cave: 3 Chambers Explained
Reaching Dau Go Cave requires climbing approximately 90 stone steps carved into the cliffside of Dau Go Island, leading to an entrance that — viewed from the water — resembles the silhouette of a jellyfish. The wide entrance, measuring roughly 12–17 meters across, allows an unusual amount of natural sunlight to flood the cave’s interior, giving Dau Go Cave a brighter, more open atmosphere than many of Halong Bay’s other caves.
This abundant sunlight also explains one of the cave’s most distinctive features: a noticeably humid microclimate that supports moss, ferns, and small pockets of greenery growing directly on the rock near the entrance — a rare sight among Halong Bay’s typically dry limestone caves.
5.1 The First Chamber — A Cathedral of Columns
The outer chamber of Dau Go Cave is the largest and brightest of the three, illuminated by daylight through the wide cave entrance.
The outer chamber is the largest and brightest of the three, illuminated by daylight pouring through the wide entrance. Towering stalactite columns rise from floor to ceiling, many resembling human or animal figures that local guides describe as the cave’s silent “guardians.” This chamber’s scale and natural lighting make it one of the most photogenic spots in all of Halong Bay’s cave network.
5.2 The Middle Chamber — Echoes of the Legend
Moving deeper into the cave, the middle chamber narrows and dims, its rock formations growing sharper and more intricate. This is the chamber most closely associated with the legend of Tran Hung Dao — guides often point out crevices and hollows said to have once concealed the wooden stakes before they were transported to the Bach Dang River.
5.3 The Inner Chamber — The Royal Stele
The inner chamber of Dau Go Cave houses a stone stele inscribed with a poem composed by King Khai Dinh during his 1917 visit to the cave.
The innermost chamber is the quietest and most intimate of the three. It is here, near the cave wall, that visitors can find the stone stele inscribed with King Khai Dinh’s 1917 poem — a small but historically significant marker connecting the cave’s natural beauty to Vietnam’s royal past. The chamber’s cooler, more sheltered air offers a contrast to the bright, open first chamber, rounding out the cave’s dramatic progression from light to shadow and back to history.
6. Ticket Prices & How to Visit Dau Go Cave in 2026
6.1 Entrance Ticket Prices (2026)
Dau Go Cave is visited as part of Halong Bay Sightseeing Route 1, purchased at Tuan Chau International Passenger Port or Halong International Passenger Port — the same ticket used to access neighboring Thien Cung Cave.
| Ticket Type |
Price (VND) |
Price (USD approx.) |
| Route 1 sightseeing ticket |
290,000 VND / person |
~$12 USD |
| Shared join-in boat |
150,000 VND / person |
~$6 USD |
| Private boat (up to 6 hours) |
1,500,000 VND / boat |
~$62 USD |
Note: These are approximate government-regulated entrance fees current as of 2026. Most cruise packages bundle the Route 1 entrance fee, boat transport, and guide into a single price — always confirm exact inclusions with your operator before booking.
6.2 Halong Bay Sightseeing Route 1
Route 1 is a 4-hour cruise itinerary departing from Tuan Chau Harbor, combining Dau Go Cave with several of Halong Bay’s other accessible attractions:
- Thien Cung Cave (Heavenly Palace Cave)
- Dau Go Cave (Cave of Wooden Stakes) ⭐
- Cho Da Islet (Stone Dog Islet)
- Ba Hang Cave
- Dinh Huong Islet (Incense Burner Islet)
- Trong Mai Islet (Fighting Cock Islet)
Route 1 is shorter and more accessible than Route 2 (the route that includes Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave, and Ti Top Island), making it especially popular among travelers on tight schedules, family groups with young children, or those joining a half-day excursion from Halong City rather than a full Halong Bay cruise.
6.3 How to Get There from Hanoi
- By road: Approximately 2.5–3 hours via the Hanoi–Haiphong Expressway. Most cruise operators include round-trip transfers from Hanoi.
- By boat from port: From Tuan Chau Harbor, the boat journey to Dau Go Island takes approximately 20–30 minutes.
7. Best Time to Visit Dau Go Cave
| Month |
Temperature |
Conditions |
Rating |
| October – April |
15–24°C |
Dry season, clear skies, comfortable for climbing the entrance stairway |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best overall |
| April – June |
20–22°C |
Bright skies, mild temperatures, occasional light rain |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent weather |
| October – November |
26–28°C |
Sunny and mild, peak international tourism season |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Popular |
| July – September |
26–28°C |
Humid, possible typhoons; stone steps can be slippery |
⭐⭐⭐ Manageable with caution |
Pro tip: Visit on a morning Route 1 cruise to enjoy Dau Go Cave’s bright natural lighting at its best — the wide cave entrance lets in the most sunlight earlier in the day, before midday tour groups crowd the chambers.
8. Practical Tips Before You Go
- Wear non-slip shoes. The 90-step stairway and cave floor can be uneven and slightly damp due to the cave’s higher humidity — sturdy, rubber-soled footwear is recommended.
- Pace yourself on the climb. The stairway is gradual but steady — take it slowly, especially in hot or humid weather.
- Bring water. The climb and cave’s humid air can be tiring; staying hydrated is especially important during the hotter months.
- Look for the royal stele. Don’t miss the stone stele inscribed with King Khai Dinh’s 1917 poem in the inner chamber — easy to walk past if you’re not looking for it.
- Pair the visit with Thien Cung Cave. Since both caves sit on the same island just 300 meters apart, most Route 1 itineraries combine them into a single, efficient half-day stop.
- Budget 30–40 minutes for the full cave walk through all three chambers at a relaxed pace.
- Mobility note: The cave is accessible only by boat, with stone stairs leading to the entrance — kayaking and swimming are not available here. Most healthy visitors and many seniors find the climb manageable with handrails and a steady pace, though it is not recommended for visitors with serious mobility limitations.
9. Dau Go Cave — Frequently Asked Questions
The questions we get asked most often by travelers planning to visit Dau Go Cave (Cave of Wooden Stakes) in Halong Bay.
Last updated: June 2026 | Information verified against multiple Halong Bay tourism sources. Some figures (exact dimensions, founding accounts) vary across local sources and are presented as approximate where applicable.
