Located along the historic Highway 20 Quyen Thang in the heart of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, 8 Ladies Cave (officially known as the Highway 20 Youth Volunteer Martyrs Temple) is one of Quang Tri's most sacred spiritual and historical sites. Beyond its tranquil forest setting, this memorial site honors the bravery, sacrifice, and resilience of young volunteers and artillery soldiers who lost their lives defending the vital Truong Son Supply Route during the Vietnam War.

The Moving Story Behind 8 Ladies Cave

The tragedy of 8 Ladies Cave took place in November 1972 during intense military bombardment aimed at severing the North-to-South logistics pipeline. On November 14, 1972, a heavy artillery airstrike struck Highway 20, causing a massive 100-ton boulder to detach from the cliff face and seal the entrance of a natural limestone cave.

Trapped inside were eight young Youth Volunteers — four men and four women from Thanh Hoa Province, aged between 18 and 20. Comrades outside tried desperately for days to move the rock using heavy equipment, manual tools, and engineering efforts, while piping air and water through small crevices. Despite exhaustive efforts, the massive rock could not be cleared in time. Today, the cave stands as a poignant national shrine honoring their sacrifice and the tens of thousands of young soldiers who served on the legendary Truong Son Road.

What to Expect When Visiting the Site

A visit to 8 Ladies Cave is a quiet, reflective experience that offers deep insight into Vietnam's history:

• The Commemorative Temple: Positioned across from the cave, the main memorial hall features traditional Vietnamese temple architecture. Visitors come here to burn incense, offer flowers, and pay their respects to the fallen heroes.

• The Sacred Cave Entrance: A stone staircase leads up the mountain to the actual cave opening and the massive fallen rock that marks the site of the tragedy.

• The Museum & Exhibition Room: Located near the temple entrance, a small museum displays preserved personal artifacts, historical photographs, letters, and wartime tools belonging to the Youth Volunteers stationed along Highway 20.

• The Surrounding Primeval Forest: Surrounded by towering limestone karst formations and dense jungle canopy, the atmosphere at the shrine is deeply serene and peaceful.

Essential Visitor Information

• Location: Km16 on Highway 20 Quyen Thang, Thuong Trach Commune, Quang Tri Province.

• Distance: Approximately 18 km from Phong Nha Town center (about 25–30 minutes by vehicle).

• Opening Hours: Daily from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

• Entrance Fee: Free admission (incense and flowers can be purchased at the site entrance if you wish to pay respects).

Practical Tips for Visitors

1. Dress Respectfully: Because this is a sacred memorial site, visitors are expected to wear modest clothing covering shoulders and knees (no shorts, tank tops, or beachwear).

2. Maintain Quiet Demeanor: Speak softly, avoid loud noises, and show reverence while inside the temple and near the cave entrance.

3. Combine Your Highway 20 Itinerary: Due to its central location on Highway 20 Quyen Thang, 8 Ladies Cave easily pairs with other key attractions, including:

   • Tra Ang Cave & Temple (3 km away)

   • Commander Cave / General Depot NH (4 km away)

   • Paradise Cave 

   • Mooc Eco-Trail or Ozo Treetop Park