Hang But is a 500-meter-long water cave located in Thung Nham, Ninh Binh. This mystical cave is famous for its strange and beautiful stalactite formations - most notably, one that resembles a seated Buddha in meditation.

Situated within the Thung Nham Ecotourism Area, Hang But measures about 20 meters wide and has an average water depth of 1.5 meters. The cave is submerged in water and cloaked in darkness, lying hidden among towering limestone mountains. Inside, it forms a semi-circular tunnel-like structure carved from stone.

The cave entrance lies on the Ben Dang River, serving centuries ago as the only path leading to a lush, fertile valley.

In times of famine, local villagers would brave the treacherous journey through dense forest and over the nearly 200-meter-high cliffs of Mount Tuong - the natural western bastion of the 10th-century Hoa Lu capital - in search of food.

It was only after a massive flood that locals discovered the cave’s deep, hidden entrance. Fear of darkness and danger kept most people from exploring it further.

A legend tied to the cave recounts that one day, an elderly man with white hair and beard appeared, guiding villagers through the cave to safety. When they turned back to thank him, he had vanished.

At the very spot where the old man had stood, a massive stone statue appeared, bearing his exact likeness. Convinced he was a divine being - Buddha himself - villagers began to worship the statue and named the place “Hang But,” or “Buddha Cave.”

At the center of the cave sits a prominent stone formation, 1.5 meters high and 2 meters wide, resembling a meditating Buddha. The formation emerges in a misty, ethereal light, creating a serene and mysterious atmosphere that fascinates both local and international visitors.

Beyond the Buddha-shaped stalactite, Hang But also features stone formations shaped like peaches, kneeling elephants, tulip flowers, and shelters hundreds of bats along its ceilings and walls.

The cave’s stone tunnel forms a perfect half-moon arc, enhancing its otherworldly charm.

To visit Hang But, tourists board hand-rowed boats that glide along the emerald green waters of the Ben Dang River. Entering the cave feels like drifting into a celestial realm.

“One of the most exciting parts of the tour is traveling by boat, using flashlights to explore the inside,” shared tourist Trinh Van Dong. “We were amazed by the untouched natural beauty and especially surprised to find a rock shaped exactly like a meditating Buddha - it was both tranquil and mysterious.”

Hang But runs through Mount Tuong and connects the Thung Nham Ecotourism Area with Thien Ha Cave, allowing visitors to journey between the two.