Located in the highlands of Coc village, Nam Xuan commune, Quan Hoa district, Hang Ma is sandwiched between the imposing Pha Phung and Pha Hang mountains.

Close to the Luong River, the 500-metre deep cave is located in rough terrain, with only one entrance, which made it an ideal combat base during wartime.

According to the local elders, the cave was given its name because of the many soldiers who died there.

To pay tribute to those anonymous men who laid down their lives for their country, the local government decided to build a temple there.

Despite its disturbing history, the cave is quite charming and visitors can take a footpath over the Luong River during the dry season to discover its beauty.

Ha Dinh Ta, Chairman of the communal People’s Committee, says that Hang Ma is believed to be the final resting place of a number of soldiers who fought during the Lam Son Revolt during the Chinese Minh dynasty, and was also used to flout the French between 1946 and 1947.

He added that the cave became an eco-tourism site in 2008.