What to Expect in Huyen Khong Cave?

To see the main chamber of Huyen Khong Cave, visitors will go through Huyen Khong Quan (gate) and Hoa Nghiem Cave. The small three-arched gate is the favourite of many visitors who look for instagram pictures and photographers. Hoa Nghiem Cave has an altar to worship Lady Buddha (or Goddess of Mercy) in the centre. On its walls, in past centuries, people carved literature works and information about events occurred, such as Japanese and Chinese people in Hoi An donated lots of money to restore pagodas. These carvings are part of a collection inscribed to be Unesco world documentary heritage of the Asia-Pacific region in 2013.

On the internet, sometimes Hoa Nghiem Cave is understood to be Huyen Khong Cave.

To the left of the Lady Buddha statue, that is the passage leading to Huyen Khong Cave’s main chamber. It’s breezy here because the wind can blow through the cave. From the staircase, visitors can easily see a big statue of Gautama Buddha carved into the rock, in the front. It’s made in 1960 by famous artist Nguyen Chat from Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village. This statue depicts a ‘sitting’ or ‘meditating’ buddha. On his breast, there is a swastika, one of Buddhist symbols that symbolize the auspicious footfrints of the buddha.

Huyen Khong Cave’s main chamber is extensive, majestic, and looks like a bell. Its top is 16 meters from the floor and has 5 holes. In local belief, these holes represent five fingers of Buddha’s hand or five elements. On a sunny day, around noon time, the sun shines through them, bringing such a magic and paradise-like spectacle with fairy beams of light. This natural phenomenon is loved by both visitors and local photographers. There are many photo opportunities.

On the other side, Huyen Khong Cave is widely known as a holy place. Within it, there are 3 temples and 2 altars to worship the God of Wealth (Than Tai) and King of Heaven (Ngoc Hoang). The most sacred temple is dedicated to worship of Ngoc Phi Goddess/Queen, the wife of the King of Heaven (lying below the Big Buddha, to the left). Local people believe that she comes to the earth to help them to live happily and peacefully. Therefore, from the 2nd to 8th days of the third lunar month yearly, they organize solemn ceremonies to honour her, to show their gratitude and thankfulness. In the past, somebody even came here to take an oath. A chicken would be used to sacrify, and participants would drink its raw blood. If don’t keep the promise or business contracts, the breaker might have difficulties in life later. One ceremony to apologize to the goddess was required if he/she wanted to atone.

Lying below the Big Buddha and to the right, there is another temple. It’s used for worship of Loi Phi Goddess/Queen, the sister of Ngoc Phi Goddess. Here, people can pray for safety and security in life. According to historians, the belief in worshipping goddesses of Vietnamese people in the area, may originate from the time when they co-lived with matriarchy Cham people.

The largest temple inside Huyen Khong Cave is Trang Nghiem Tu (the Temple of Solemnity, built in 1825). In the centre, the Lady Buddha or Goddess of Mercy is worshipped. To the right, people worship three Chinese men who lived in ancient times: Quan Cong/Guan Yu (a military general in 3rd century), Quan Binh/Quan Ping (Guan Cong’s adopted son) and Chau Xuong/Zhou Cang (a fictional character in Chinese historical novel ‘Romance of Three Kingdoms’). To the left, people worship the Gods of Love and Marriage (Ong To Ba Nguyet or literally, the Lord of Silk Thread and Lady of Moon). Sure, those who pray here want to find a lover or husband/wife.

In the left hand side of Trang Nghiem Tu Temple, in a dark hole (flashlight is needed), visitors can find two small rock formations which represent women’s breasts. The water drops from them are thought to be the ‘milk’ or ‘holy water’. If local women drink it and come to temples to pray later, they may have a baby or a boy in near future. Today, not so many people still believe in this ‘ceremony’.

Behind Trang Nghiem Tu Temple, it’s possible to see rock formations like a jellyfish, whale, tiger, elephant,… but a local guide who can show us is needed.

Along the staircase down the cave’s floor, there are 4 statues of ‘God door’ who safeguard the entrance of temples/cave from evils or devils or bad spirits. They have an exotic look, a fierce face, and ride a wild animal. Historians say that these statues were transformed into Vietnamese gods from Hindu gods. A Hindu temple was built here when Cham people lived in the area in the past. Proof of its existence are pieces of sandstone sculptures in the cave, or the statue of Hindu god that was taken by the French in colonial time (now in France).  

No doubt, Huyen Khong Cave is a place where locals can pray for many things.