Tien Son, a complex of caves with pristine stalactites, is a not-to-be-missed destination in northwest Lai Chau Province. 

On the way from Sa Pa Town in Lao Cai Province to Lai Chau, capital of the eponymous province, visitors have the opportunity to pass by Tien Son (Fairy Mountain) Cave.

Tien Son Cave possesses multiple-shaped stalactites. It consists of 49 arcs embracing two mountain slopes.

According to scientists, the Tien Son karst cave was formed millions of years ago. The more deeply you enter the cave, the more surprised you will be by the thousands of stalactite ribbons crossing the ceiling, or stalagmites rising from the floor.

There is a cool crystal-clear stream inside the cave. During the war against the French, Tien Son served as a place to hide food and base for the Vietnamese troops.

So far, 40 chunks or sub-caves have been discovered inside Tien Son. They all stretch along the two mountain sides, including Au Co and Lac Long Quan, named after the legendary parents of Vietnamese people.

The cave is equipped with concrete walkways and electric lights.

Several sections in the cave are only one meter high, therefore, tourists should be cautious. Visitors can only explore 700 meters of its length at present.

The cave is on National Highway 4D in Binh Lu Commune, Tam Duong District, about 40 kilometers from Sa Pa, a popular highlands resort town. Recognized as a national relic in 1996, Tien Son Cave has been a popular tourist destination since 2008.

In front of the cave’s entrance stands an Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue. Tickets to the cave cost VND20,000 ($0.87) for adults and VND10,000 for children.

Every year, Lai Chau Province organizes Tien Son Cave Festival during the full moon day of the first lunar month to pray for a year of peace and bumper harvests. This is also an opportunity for local residents to perform customary Thai, Giay, and Lu ethnic dances and enjoy folk games.