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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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