(Baonghean.vn) - It is believed that entering a cave called Tham Me Mon will lead to finding the love of one's life. This cave is located in Chieng village, Quang Phong commune (Que Phong district). According to an elderly person in the area, Tham Me Mon means "cave of joyful gatherings."
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| The cave entrance was hidden behind the dense forest canopy. |
The Thai people in Nghe An have a song with a playful undertone: "When you go to Tham Me Mon, who will you find a wife and children for?" However, a woman in Chieng village, when singing it for us, said that the song also expresses the hopes of young women of marriageable age who come here to participate in the festival.
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| The cave entrance is narrow, but the interior holds many surprises that fascinate and intrigue visitors. |
Tham Me Mon cave is located halfway up Pha Chieng mountain. It took us 15 minutes to walk from Chieng village to the cave entrance. The buffalo herding children, seeing strangers, followed along.
According to Mr. Lang Van Tuan, a cultural officer of Quang Phong commune: "In the past, during the Lunar New Year, people from Tri Le, Cam Muon, and even Quy Chau and Quy Hop districts would come to Tham Me Mon to pray for good fortune. Unmarried men and women would seek their romantic partners here. People believed that once they came here, no one would be lonely anymore. They would find a beautiful love like Mo Phan (the hunter) and Xom, the first couple to come here and live together for life in this cave."
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| Elephant-shaped stalactite |
Beyond its spiritual significance, Tham Me Mon is also a beautiful scenic spot. The stalactites seem to intentionally depict a myriad of fascinating shapes. These include mythical creatures such as dragons, elephants, or the royal bed of King Khun Chuong – a legendary hero in the Thai ethnic community of northwestern Nghe An. Particularly noteworthy is a stalactite formation in the cave resembling a statue, believed to depict a husband and wife standing together, the wife pregnant while the husband stays by her side, protecting and caring for her.
Standing at the cave entrance, one can gaze out at the sprawling fields with their picturesque scenery. Tham Me Mon is truly a fascinating destination for those who love exploring nature and caves.
Here are some photos from our exploration of Tham Me Mon:
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| The rice fields of Chiếng village as seen from the cave entrance. |
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| Even the buffalo-dwelling children could rest on the "royal bed" of King Khun Chang. |
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| The sound of stalactites when tapped is similar to the rhythm of gongs and cymbals. |
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| The stalactites are shaped like a pregnant wife being protected by her husband. |
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| Some stalactites are likened to the robes of fairies descending to earth. |
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| Mirrors carry the imprint of emotions. |
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| Unique and unusual shapes. |
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| And here are the dragon scales. |
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| Chiếng village viewed from above. |
Huu Vi - Dao Tho
