TIEN PAGODA – PHU LAO CAVE COMPLEX

TIEN PAGODA – PHU LAO CAVE COMPLEX

Tien Pagoda and the Phu Lao cave system form a historical and cultural complex in An Nghia Commune, Phu Tho Province, about 140 km from Hanoi. Located on the western slope of the Huong Tich Mountain range, just 5 km from the famous Huong Son scenic area, this site is regarded as a cultural crossroads between the Kinh and Muong people and was once an ancient human settlement.

Tien Pagoda lies at the foot of Tung Se Mountain on a flat area facing northeast. According to legend, it was originally built long ago in the style of a traditional stilt house with simple materials such as bamboo and palm leaves. Over time, it deteriorated, but in 1998, thanks to funding from the Ministry of Culture and Information and contributions from local authorities and residents, the pagoda was carefully restored to its present form.

According to royal decrees still preserved at the site, granted by the emperors:

• Tu Duc, 6th year (1853)

• Tu Duc, 33rd year (1880)

• Dong Khanh, 2nd year (1887)

• Duy Tan, 3rd year (1909)

• Khai Dinh, 9th year (1924)

the deities worshipped here are the Three Tan Vien Saints and the Four Holy Mothers, all of whom were conferred the title of Supreme Deities.

The Tien Pagoda – Phu Lao Cave Complex includes interconnected sites such as Tien Cave, Mau Temple, Tam Toa Temple, Trung Communal House, and Trinh Temple. Each site holds unique cultural and spiritual values. Archaeologists have discovered yellow sedimentary layers, stalactites of fantastic shapes, and even fossilized remains of ancient rodents inside the caves. The granite walls shimmer like precious stone, adding to the mystical atmosphere.

Paleontologists have dated fossils found in Phu Nghia to over 100,000 years ago, further enhancing the site’s historical significance and attraction for visitors.

The cave system is divided into two sections, Lao Noi and Lao Ngoai, featuring striking natural formations such as the “Mother’s Breast,” the “Hundred Eggs,” the “Stone Buddha’s Hand,” and the “Stone Dragon.”

The first stop for visitors is Trinh Temple, dedicated to the three founding deities who first reclaimed the land. About 1 km further west lies Mau Temple, dedicated to Mother Au Co, the legendary ancestor of the Vietnamese people. The temple is set on a mountainside, about 20 m above the valley, backed by the mountain and facing a winding stream below.

From Mau Temple, heading north along the main valley path brings visitors to Tien Pagoda, and behind it, within Tung Se Mountain, lies the famed Tien Cave, full of wonders. About 500 m northwest of the pagoda is Trung Communal House, located on a flat plot of land facing south. Originally built of wood and thatched with palm leaves, it has undergone several restorations, the most recent in 1995 with funding from the Ministry of Culture and contributions from locals. Visitors here can also admire an ancient semicircular well with clear blue water reflecting the sky.

Other highlights in the complex include Giai Oan Stream, where visitors symbolically wash away worries; Mau Long Cave with its shimmering “Golden Stream” and sparkling “Silver Stream”; as well as Co Chin Cave and Ong Hoang Bay Cave, tied to folk legends. From Tam Toa Cave, one can enjoy panoramic views of the Lac Thuy region, resembling a traditional ink painting. Beyond the mountain pass lies the so-called Valley of Love, where mist, wind, and sunshine blend sweetly like the taste of romance.

The Tien Pagoda Festival is held annually on the 4th day of the first lunar month. Celebrations take place mainly at Mau Temple, Trinh Temple, Trung Communal House, Tien Pagoda, and Tam Toa Cave. The festival features solemn rituals of worship, processions, and offerings to honor the deities for their service to the nation, while praying for favorable weather and a bountiful harvest. Visitors can witness colorful processions, participate in traditional games, and experience the vibrant cultural and spiritual life of the region.

With its rich historical and cultural values, the Tien Pagoda – Phu Lao Cave Complex was recognized as a National Historical and Cultural Relic by the Ministry of Culture and Information on September 30, 1989. Later, by Decision No. 3527/QĐ-BVHTTDL dated November 1, 2011, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism officially listed the Tien Pagoda cave system in An Nghia Commune, Phu Tho Province, as a National Heritage Site.

Today, this complex has become an important spiritual and tourist destination, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.