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The grotto is on Driftwood Island. Seen from
afar, the entrance to the grotto appears to
be blue, and has a shape similar to that of
a jellyfish. After 90 steps up the island,
the entrance is reached. The ceiling of the
grotto is about 25 m. Hundreds of
stalactites falling down from the roof of
the grotto look like a waterfall.
The grotto is divided into three main parts.
The
exterior is a room with a vault full of
natural light. Many forms may be seen in the
rock formations of the chamber, depending on
the imagination of the visitor of course.
Crossing the first chamber, one enters the
second chamber through a narrow passage. The
light here is mysterious, and new images
appear in the stone. It makes us having a
fear and be inquisitive.
The third chamber of the grotto is widely
opened. At the end of the grotto is a well
of clear water. Looking up in the dim light
we recognize that surrounded is the image of
an ancient citadel and a scuffle of
elephants, horses, man with bristly sword
and spear. All are making a rush and be
petrified suddenly.
The name Driftwood Grotto came from a
popular story of the resistance war against
the Yuan - Mongolian aggressors. In a
decisive battle, Trân Hưng Ðậo was given the
order to prepare many ironwood stakes here,
to be planted on the riverbed of Bạch Ðằng
River. The remaining wooden pieces found in
the grotto have given it its present name.
And the name Giâu Gô is associated with the
legend that General Trân Hưng Ðạo
(1226-1300) hid ironwood stakes in
preparation for the Bạch Đằng battle against
the Yuan-Mongolian invaders.

If the Thiên Cung Grotto is monumental and
modern (in its natural form), then Driftwood
Grotto is solemn, but also grandiose. In
"Marvels of the World," published in France
in 1938, the author called the grotto "Grotte
des merveilles" (a site of many marvels)
In the first chamber, in the very middle of
the grotto, is a colossal pillar supporting
the large vault. On the top of the pillar,
there appears to be a monk draped in a long,
dark cloak, with his right hand clasping a
cane.
The second chamber is narrow. Here, the
stalactites look smaller but more graceful.
One feels like going to a pagoda with a monk
in meditation so that one steps more gently.
The third chamber features high stone
columns out of which nature has carved
images of a large kingdom, of heroes and
soldiers holding swords and spears rushing
up, of war elephants and horses or lions,
etc. All of them suddenly was petrified and
remained there for good.





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