Driving the Hauntingly Mysterious Road Through Nguom Bang Cave
Động Ngườm Bang is a natural cave located in Cao Bằng province, Vietnam. It’s one of the few roads in the world that runs through a cave.
Where is Nguom Bang Cave?
The natural cave is located in the Northeast region of Vietnam, within the Phia Ran mountain range, near the Chinese border. It is the only natural cave in Vietnam used as a road tunnel.
Why is it called Nguom Bang Cave?
Ngườm Ngao Cave has a name rooted in local culture. In the Tày language, "Ngườm Ngao" means "Tiger Cave," a name given by the Tày people. Another legend suggests that the name comes from the echoes of rushing water inside, which sound like a tiger's roar. Elders also speak of a legend about a mysterious being called "tua ngược." This shapeless creature was believed to be a sign of death. Folklore says that those who saw its red glow would lose their soul, while those who saw its black light might survive but would suffer from illness. Fearing this, villagers avoided the cave and instead took dangerous mountain paths above it. The treacherous 2 km detour took over an hour to traverse.
When was the road through Nguom Bang Cave built?
Due to scary legends about a mysterious creature living in the cave, very few people dared to pass through Ngườm Bang Cave in the past. Instead, they built a small road over the mountain to avoid it. For many years, the cave was barely used because it was long, bumpy, and extremely dark. In 2003, the cave was renovated and became part of Provincial Road 207. Once an isolated and deserted place, the cave transformed into the main road of the entire district, boosting economic development and facilitating trade between Vietnam and China.
How long is Nguom Bang Cave?
Today, Ngườm Bang Cave is nearly 100 meters long, more than 10 meters wide, and 10 meters high. Both cave walls show traces of chiseling and expansion. The western end of the cave still retains a large natural section, which can accommodate up to a hundred people. During the rainy season, a small stream flows through the cave floor, gathering at the entrance to form a small lake.
Is the road through Nguom Bang Cave paved?
The road through the cave is fully paved. It’s called ĐT207 (Provincial Road 207). The road is 26 km (16 miles) long, running south to north from Thanh Nhật (the capital of Hạ Lang District) to Bằng Ca.
Road suggested by: Jorge Manuel Gómez Sánchez
Pic: Sun Lee