Antique treasures by Nui Coc Lake

Each artifact, from large to small, displayed here carries its own story. It is not only the story of the origin, meaning or journey of the artifact, but also the feelings of those who have worked day and night to collect and bring the items to Thai Nguyen .

Hidden among the clouds and water of Nui Coc Lake, Ba Cay Thong Cave is one of the destinations that is both mysterious and imbued with a humanistic spirit, making many visitors stop and reflect. Not only does it have the magical beauty of an architectural work in the heart of nature, this place is also a bridge between reality and legend - a touching love story passed down from generation to generation.

To reach the Three Pines Cave, visitors can walk along the tree-lined path, listening to the wind blowing through the leaves, creating a gentle, enchanting harmony. In front of the cave, three stone pillars symbolizing three characters associated with the ancient legend of the Three Pines Cave stand tall like three silent witnesses of time.

Legend has it that in the past, there were two twin brothers in the area who looked exactly alike. Both boys were talented and very filial to their parents. One day, the older brother went down the mountain and coincidentally met and fell in love with the most beautiful girl in the area. The next day, when the girl was waiting for the boy from yesterday to arrive, the younger brother of the boy also came down the mountain and coincidentally met her. Like his older brother, the younger brother was also infatuated with the beautiful girl. Thinking that she had met the same boy from the day before, the girl's love grew even stronger.

The love triangle continued without anyone knowing that there was a mistake. Until the girl accepted the two boys' proposal to get married. On the day of the appointment, under the romantic moonlight, the twin brothers and the girl appeared at the same place and all three were extremely surprised. When they understood the situation, the twin brothers and the girl could only look at each other in excitement...

Knowing the tragic love story of the three people, the Jade Emperor granted them the right to be together forever in the form of three pine trees, two in the shape of a man and one in the shape of a woman, as a testament to their legendary love. Since then, people have called this place Three Pine Trees and that story has become a part of the soul of this land.

When entering the cave, visitors will immediately feel the cool air, with the scent of damp rocks and deep forests. Although it is not a natural cave, the stalactites inside are elaborately shaped, combined with color-changing light, making the space like a vivid fairy tale painting.

With its beauty that is both real and dreamy, the Three Pines Cave is not simply a tourist destination - but a place where memories, emotions and culture blend together. And in an era where fairy tales seem to only exist in books, a place like the Three Pines Cave brings a feeling of both nostalgia and awakening. This love story is not only beautiful but also carries a profound message about forgiveness, the appreciation of family and the value of tolerance.

Not only does it have profound humanistic values, the Three Pines Cave is also a special cultural space, elaborately designed to introduce and display thousands of precious artifacts related to human history. This space is not simply a place to preserve relics, but also a "miniature museum" - a place connecting the past and the present, between modern people and ancient cultures.

According to tour guide Nguyen Thi Phuong: The cave currently preserves nearly 10,000 artifacts from many different cultures around the world . When visiting, visitors will be led through a journey spanning from ancient to modern times, from Europe to Asia, from ancient Greek culture to contemporary Vietnamese art.

Inside the cave, many visitors are amazed to see items that seem to only exist in history books: from the bulky early computers, the rotary telephone, to sophisticated handcrafted items such as the elaborately carved ivory statue, which was once a royal item.

In particular, objects closely associated with Vietnamese life are also vividly displayed, such as hand mills, oil lamps, rose teapots, etc., creating a sense of closeness and nostalgia.

Many visitors also said they were surprised by the stories behind each antique. One of the most impressive artifacts was a gasoline-powered bicycle, made in China in the early 20th century, considered the "ancestor" of the motorbike. At one time, this bike was worth more than 10 taels of gold, and was only for the rich or high-ranking officials.

In addition, the hundreds of years old French antique clock is also a highlight. Supposedly modeled after the design of King Louis XIV, the clock has an elaborate gold-plated Dore style, once placed in castles and churches in Europe.

The curved patterns and carved details on the watch face not only demonstrate the exquisite craftsmanship, but also reflect the tastes and power of the ancient aristocracy.

Indeed, the story behind the antiques has transformed Three Pines into a must-see destination for those who love history, art and stories of human culture.

Creating a “miniature museum” inside the Three Pines Cave is the work of Mr. Tran Tien Manh and Ms. Kieu Phuong Thao, a couple from Thai Nguyen who have lived in the Czech Republic for many years.

For nearly two decades, the couple has devoted all their heart and effort to collecting thousands of precious antiques from flea markets, antique shops and homes in many European countries. Each trip, each item is a story full of hardships, a journey to find memories, culture and ancient beauty to bring back to their homeland, creating an attractive cultural tourist destination right in the heart of Nui Coc Lake.

Mr. Manh and Ms. Thao are not just collectors, they are inspirational people who love beauty and cherish the past.

Over 19 years of traveling around Europe, the couple has gradually built a massive collection of unique items bearing the mark of many different historical periods, from ancient ceramic vases, clocks, stone statues, to even daily household items of ancient noble families...

Transporting antiques to Vietnam is not easy. Each item must be carefully packaged to ensure it is not damaged during the thousands of kilometers by plane.

There are oversized items that cannot be sent as regular luggage, so you have to hire a specialized shipping service with separate insurance. "Many nights I lost sleep worrying about whether the item would arrive intact," said Mr. Manh.

Not stopping at collecting, Mr. Manh and Ms. Thao also want to build Ba Cay Thong Cave into a unique cultural tourist destination, contributing to enriching the experience of visitors when coming to Nui Coc Lake Tourist Area.

“I believe that tourism is not only about beautiful scenery but also about emotions and cultural depth. If every tourist comes here and brings back a special emotion, something that they will remember forever, then my wife and I's efforts will be considered to have paid off." - Mr. Manh confided.