10 Most Famous Caves in Vietnam You Should Explore

1. Son Doong Cave - The World’s Largest Cave

Son Doong, located in Quang Binh Province, is the biggest cave in Vietnam and the largest one on the planet. Dave Television ranked it 5th among the 20 greatest adventure trips worldwide.

Visitors marvel at the stunning cave formations, including colossal stalactites like the Hand of Dog, stalagmites, cave pearls, and underground rivers. Two dolines, its rainforest, and its ecosystem, add to its allure. On clear days, visitors can witness mesmerizing sunbeams piercing through the cave and brave the Great Wall of Vietnam, which is up to 90 meters high.

To maintain the ecosystem, the number of visitors to the cave is limited to around 1000 yearly. Therefore, Son Doong Cave is always on the list of must-visit destinations for adventure enthusiasts worldwide.

To join the journey to the world’s largest cave, you can find more information at Son Doong Cave Expedition • Oxalis Adventure:

• Duration: 6 days, 5 nights
• Difficulty: Hard
• Best Time To Visit: January to August

Sunbeam at Watch Out for Dinosaurs.

2. Phong Nha Cave (Dong Phong Nha)

Phong Nha Cave is famous globally, not just as a natural wonder of Vietnam but also for its historical significance.

The cave features unique rock formations resembling various natural shapes such as "Lion", "Unicorn", and "Buddha Statue", giving visitors a sense of entering a wonderland. The river flowing through it, stretching about 19km underground beneath the Truong Son range, emerges at the cave's mouth with striking blue hues in the dry season and vibrant red alluvium during the rainy season.

Exploring the cave's 14 chambers reveals magnificent stalagmites and stalactites, with one notable branch, Bi Ky Cave, believed to have been a Cham people's worship site from the 9th to 11th centuries.

To visit Phong Nha Cave, travelers can fly into Dong Hoi Airport in Quang Binh province and then take a taxi to the town center. From there, they can purchase tickets for a boat tour on the Son River, which offers an immersive exploration of the cave's wonders.

• Duration: Half-day tour.
• Difficulty: Easy.
• Best Time To Visit: Year-round.

Boat tour on Son River to Phong Nha Cave.

3. Paradise Cave (Dong Thien Duong)

Explore Paradise Cave, a gem in Vietnam's Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, boasting stunning formations that have endured through time. At 31 kilometers, it holds records as Asia's longest dry cave, dazzled with unparalleled stalactites and stalagmites. Marvel at its diverse shapes, resembling cultural symbols like the Male Fairy, Buddha Ba, and more.

Though only a kilometer is accessible to the public, thrill-seekers can venture on a 7-kilometer tour, kayaking through underground rivers and rock climbing with experienced guides. Witness the enchanting Heaven’s Well, where sunlight illuminates the cave's beauty.

Paradise Cave beckons adventurers with its hidden wonders, ensuring unforgettable experiences beneath the earth's surface.

Visiting Paradise Cave is easiest with a guided tour, often including nearby caves. Alternatively, you can drive or take a taxi from Dong Hoi Airport and explore independently. Upon arrival, handle tickets, then opt for a shuttle or walk to the cave entrance. Plan for 2 to 3 hours to explore fully.

• Duration: Half-day tour.
• Difficulty: Easy.
• Best Time: Year-round.

Paradise Cave with unparalleled stalactites and stalagmites.

4. Trang An Grottoes, Ninh Binh Provice

The Trang An Grottoes, often dubbed an ‘outdoor geological museum,’ boasts breathtaking landscapes comprising caves, mountains, trees, water bodies, and significant historical relics.

The Trang An Grottoes, spanning 1,500 acres in Ninh Binh province, offer a diverse landscape of valleys, caves, peaks, and rivers. Exploring these wonders by boat allows for an intimate encounter with the caves and hills.

When visiting, you'll be seated on a small boat rowed by residents, passing through Toi Cave, Sang Cave, and Nau Ruou (Wine Making) Cave. The water here is incredibly clear, allowing you to see the bottom. Due to the caves being relatively short and narrow, it's important to watch your head. Additionally, nearby ancient temples such as Trinh Temple and Tran Temple, nestled by the riverside, offer moments of quiet contemplation.

Beyond the caves, exploring the surrounding paddy fields and villages reveals a harmonious blend of nature and culture.

Trang An Grottoes, only 90 kilometers from Hanoi, is easily accessible by various modes of transportation. A two-hour bus ride from Hanoi offers a smooth journey. Alternatively, travelers can opt for a local train. For biking enthusiasts, the route promises breathtaking sights of verdant rice fields, tranquil rivers, and majestic mountains.

• Duration: Full-day tour.
• Difficulty: Easy.
• Best Time: Year-round.

5. Dark Cave (Hang Toi)

‘Hang Toi,’ also known as Dark Cave, is a top destination for tourists visiting Phong Nha. This natural wonder attracts a wide range of visitors seeking thrilling adventures. If you crave a day filled with excitement and fun, Dark Cave is the place to be.

Offering a perfect blend of activities, such as obstacle courses, swimming, kayaking, mud bathing, exploring caves, and experiencing Vietnam’s longest zipline, Dark Cave promises an unforgettable one-day adventure in Phong Nha.

The name ‘Dark Cave’ is aptly descriptive, as the cave lacks artificial lighting, immersing visitors in complete darkness. The rocks' predominant dark gray or black color further enhances the cave's mysterious atmosphere. The cavern hosts a remarkable collection of stalactites, gradually shaped over millennia.

Explorers can embark on a guided excursion navigating through narrow pathways and subterranean streams. With each step deeper into the cave, the abundance and grandeur of stalactites increase, unveiling intricate designs and awe-inspiring formations.

Exiting Dark Cave after indulging in a memorable mud bath, visitors often find themselves darker than the cave itself, adding to the unique experience.

Booking a tour of Dark Cave in Phong Nha is hassle-free. You can arrange it through various accommodations or embark on a self-guided journey with just a map and a bike.

• Duration: Half-day tour.
• Difficulty: Easy.
• Best Time: Year-round.

6. Hang En - One of the Largest Caves in Vietnam

Hang En is another gem in Quang Binh Province, known for being one of the largest caves globally. This cave offers a surreal experience with its vast chambers and mesmerizing underground rivers.

The campsite at Hang En is nestled in the heart of the cave. Its floor is a spacious sandy beach bordering a stunning emerald lake, with a section of the Rao Thuong river meandering through. Natural light filters in through the cave entrance, illuminating the campsite. From December to late February, when the weather is clear, sunlight streams into the cave campsite in the mornings, casting a radiant glow throughout the cave and crafting a breathtaking spectacle.

The large rear entrance of Hang En serves as a highlight and a popular check-in spot for many travelers. With its fascinating ecosystem and remarkable features, Hang En promises an unforgettable adventure for those who embark on its exploration.

Hang En stands out with its journey through Ban Doong - the home of the Bru-Van Kieu community. It is also part of the Son Doong Cave expedition route.

To join this journey, you can find more information at Trekking to Hang En 2 days 1 night:

• Duration: 2 days, 1 night.
• Difficulty: Moderate.
• Best Time: December to mid-September.

Enormous Hang En Cave in the evening.

7. Surprising Cave (Hang Sung Sot), Ha Long Bay

Sung Sot Cave, situated on Bo Hon Island in Ha Long Bay, is renowned as the "Surprising Cave" due to its breathtaking beauty. At an impressive 10,000 square meters, it is the largest cave in the region.

Sung Sot Cave, one of Vietnam's stunning caves, splits into two chambers joined by a narrow passage. The initial chamber, dubbed the "Waiting Room," boasts breathtaking natural formations like stalactites and stalagmites created over eons. It resembles an oceanic opera house, boasting a grand ceiling akin to a vast velvet carpet adorned with magnificent chandelier-like stalactites. Below, the limestone stalagmites form a natural masterpiece, each unique shape evoking images of human, plant, and animal figures. This section's interplay of light and stone paints a vibrant scene, dispelling the cavern's otherwise bleak atmosphere.

The subsequent "Surprise Room" dazzles even more, showcasing towering limestone formations resembling intricate sculptures.

Surprise Cave sits within Bo Hon Island, at Halong Bay's core. Accessible via boat cruise or charter, Halong Bay is about 103 miles (165 kilometers) east of Hanoi, with tours often providing hotel pickup and transport.

• Duration: Half-day tour.
• Difficulty: Easy.
• Best Time: Year-round.

8. Dau Go Cave - One of the most famous caves in Vietnam

Located on Dau Go Island, Dau Go Cave, known as the "Wooden Stakes Cave," stands among Vietnam's premier cave destinations. With its high humidity, Dau Go cave in Halong Bay fosters rich flora and fauna. Exploring it unveils various marine life, such as fish, seaweed, and corals, alongside diverse plant species, including timber trees and ferns.

At a distance, Dau Go cave's entrance resembles a jellyfish. Ascend 90 rocky steps to access its small opening. Inside, three chambers unfold: outer, middle, and inner. The outer chamber boasts stunning stalagmites and stalactites, some resembling humans, others animals. The middle chamber dazzles with crystal formations, while the inner features colorful stalagmites, stalactites, and giant stone pillars. A freshwater lake at the cave's end hosts marine life. Don't miss the peculiar stone formations overhead—lions, deers, and elephants.

In Ha Long, you can easily reach Tuan Chau Island ferry station, just 13km away from the city center, approximately a 17-minute drive. From there, you can hire a boat to explore the caves along route 1 Ha Long, leading to Dau Go Island. Prices may vary based on the number of guests and the boat's quality.

• Duration: Half-day tour.
• Difficulty: Easy.
• Best Time: Year-round.

9. Tu Lan Cave System - Movie Setting of Kong: Skull Island

The Tu Lan Cave System in Vietnam gained international recognition as a filming location for the movie Kong: Skull Island. Visitors can trek through lush jungles and explore several interconnected caves, encountering stunning waterfalls and natural pools.

The stalactites and stalagmites within these caves are colossal and utterly breathtaking. Song Oxalis Cave, among the oldest in Tú Làn, boasts unique formations like seaweed-like stalagmites, cauliflower patches, and coral reefs. Ken Cave features stalactites shaped by wind into rippling drapes or mythological claws, while others resemble long plastic straws.

Exploring the quartet of damp caverns – Ken Cave, Ton Cave, Kim Cave, and Tú Làn Cave – is quite an immersive experience. Be prepared to fully immerse yourself, a sensation that soon becomes familiar. Proficiency in swimming is necessary, although life jackets make it effortless to float along.

Ken Cave offers the most diverse experience. After paddling through the initial hundred meters, you'll reach a muddy bank, leading you out of the water. Drenched, you then navigate by climbing, crawling, and squeezing through a narrow rocky passage. Eventually, you'll emerge at the end of the tunnel, greeted by a rift in the cave ceiling, casting sunlight into the chamber.

Ton Cave, traversed entirely by swimming, offers the most thrilling adventure. Initially, the water is shallow, allowing you to skim the surface, pulling yourself along underwater rocks. As you progress, the water deepens, and the walls converge, forming a narrow, smooth-walled canyon. While the passage is snug, it doesn't induce claustrophobia.

For further information of the tours to Tu Lan Cave, you can visit:

• Tu Lan Cave Expedition (TL4)
• Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer (TL3)
• Hang Tien Cave Exploration (HT3)
• Tu Lan Cave Experience (TL1)
• Tu Lan Family Experience (TF1)
• Duration: From 1 day to 4 days.
• Difficulty: Introductory to demanding, as well as tours for families.
• Best Time: November to mid-September yearly.

Tu Lan Cave Waterfall 1.

10. Hang Va Cave - Unique Corn - Shape Stalactites

In the heart of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, near the Son Doong Cave's exit, Hang Va, also known as Va Cave, was first discovered in 1992. Renowned for its unique cave formations, Hang Va features a river passage below and a spacious upper-level passage adorned with numerous tower cone formations.

These cones vary in size and shape, with the tallest reaching up to 2 meters. Visitors can explore the underground river passage in Hang Va.

Along the way, visitors will utilize safety equipment to navigate through technical sections within the cave. Trekking through the dense and ancient jungle of the national park adds another dimension to the adventure, immersing visitors in the pristine beauty of nature.

To join this journey, you can find more information at Hang Va Expedition • Oxalis Adventure:

• Duration: 2 days, 1 night.
• Difficulty: Moderate.
• Best Time: January to August.

Tower cone formations in Hang Va.

How to Join Cave Tours in Vietnam?

To participate in cave tours in Phong Nha and Quang Binh, Oxalis Adventure is Vietnam's leading and most reputable tour operator.

With extensive experience organizing safe and thrilling cave exploration tours, we offer a variety of packages to suit different preferences and skill levels.

For further information and to book the tour, please contact:

• Website: https://oxalisadventure.com/.
• Email: [email protected].
• Hotline: +84 919900357.

Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or a first-time explorer, these top 10 caves in Vietnam promise unforgettable experiences amidst some of the most spectacular natural wonders on the planet. Plan your adventure today and immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of Vietnam's underground treasures!

The Oxalis Experience.