En Grotto (which is a part of Phong Nha Ke Bang complex, Quang Binh province) was once valued by the world-famous magazine - National Geographic when its photos were considered as the top most beautiful ones in March, 2011.
The path leading into the Grotto
Tourists will pass through a primitive forest with wonderful scenery along the way. The track leading down to the valley of Doong village is covered with green trees and flowers and surrounded by majestic limestone ramparts. Upon passing through the primitive forest and a small stream, you will reach Doong village where the Van Kieu people live. The village is situated in the center area of Phong Nha - Ke Bang complex.
Leaving Doong village, we continue our trip to En Grotto and reach the grotto after nearly three hours passing the streams.
The fascinating beauty
The entrance gate to En Grotto is adorned with the graceful Rao Thuong stream flowing along the two sides of the ancient forest, then continues to flow into En Grotto.
The entrance gate is divided into two paths by a huge stone. The Grotto was first discovered in 1994 by a group of explorers from England with the length of 1.645m and height of 120m.
In fact, En Grotto had been discovered by A Rem people hundreds of years ago as their home. The name En Grotto (Swallow Grotto) is originated from ten thousands of swallows living inside the grotto. In the past, A Rem people used to celebrate a festival in which they will eat the swallow in the middle of May, lunar year. Today, A Rem people have no longer live there since they have moved to other places. However, when May of lunar year comes, they still gather together to celebrate the traditional festival.
In the late afternoon, the swallows fly around the grotto’s gate. Their warbles create a wonderful natural song among the forest, making the atmosphere less quiet. Inside the grotto, there is an S-shaped stream flowing around. From the entrance gate, you walk about one kilometer to reach an air vent where the sun darts its beams down into the grotto. The exit gate is a nearly-circled arch with fascinating beauty. It is sure that you will be impressed by such marvelous gate which is 83 meters high and 35 meters wide. You may find yourself so small under this gate.
Nature blesses En Grotto with fantastic scenery and mysterious beauty. This is a great place for trekking and exploring the nature. En Grotto does not only possess great potential in ecology but also in tourism