Tu Lan Cave System

Overview

Not just one cave, but many. Altogether we’ve surveyed more than 20 caves in the system, both dry caves and wet caves.
The caves are connected by sweeping rivers and surrounded by buffalo fields, peanut farms and karst mountains.
Explored and surveyed by The British Vietnam Caving Expedition Team for the first time in 1992, though the system has been known to locals for much longer.
The system featured in Hollywood’s 2017 blockbuster “Kong: Skull Island” with Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson and Brie Larson.
Not possible to sleep inside the caves, but there are stunning campsites near the openings.
Located just outside of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, home to the world’s largest caves.
Oxalis Adventure works with The British Vietnam Caving Expedition Team and the Vietnamese government to carry out the expeditions.
You can visit Tu Lan on one-day, two-day, three-day and four-day experiences with Oxalis Adventure.

Discovery

The Tu Lan cave system comprises more than twenty caves and was first explored by British caving experts in 1992, although its location has been known for much longer. It was first surveyed more extensively in 2010 with several subsequent surveys. The system lies outside of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.

Geology

The tectonic plates that formed the karst in the area are in a constant state of flux. At the same time, the ferocious rivers continue to carve out caves at the system’s lowest points. Hence, as a general rule, the wetter the cave, the younger it is. The older caves in the system are completely dry and now sit halfway up the karst mountains. The different caves mean that the Tu Lan cave system offers incredible variety with regard to the formations. The caves are possibly between 3 and 5 million years old.

Visiting Tu Lan

You can visit the Tu Lan cave system on one-day, two-day, three-day and four-day expeditions with Oxalis Adventure.

Hang Tien Discovery

With only one day, you can still enjoy a challenging trek, a natural swimming pool and see a spectacular cave.Hang Tien, also known as Fairy Cave has an enormous entrance, large calcite formations and unusual rock features.

VND 2,000,000/pax

Tu Lan Experience

An action-packed day trek to explore the marvelous jungle and caves of the Tu Lan System - home of the Hollywood blockbuster Kong: Skull Island (2017) by Jordan Vogt-Roberts.

VND 1,800,000/pax

Tu Lan Family Experience

An ideal family trip to explore nature and the magnificent caves of the Tu Lan cave system including trekking, swimming in natural steam, picnic lunch at the river, discovering Rat Cave, exciting mini-game.

VND 2,300,000/pax

Hang Tien Endeavor

This is a challenging trek to visit Hang Tien 1 & 2 - two biggest caves of Tu Lan cave system. Hang Tien means Fairy Cave in Vietnamese as it looks otherworldly with an enormous entrance, calcite formations and rock features.

VND 6,500,000/pax

Tu Lan Cave Encounter

This tour offers a glimpse into the amazing beauty of the Tu Lan area: caves, karst mountains, jungle, and waterfalls. It is an opportunity to go deep into the rugged and untouched nature of Vietnam.

VND 5,500,000/pax

Tu Lan Family Adventure

An ideal journey for all members of the family to explore Tu Lan's wilderness. Many enjoyable mini-games and activities for kids to join in such as trekking, swimming, painting, caving, and overnight camping.

VND 6,500,000/pax

Hang Tien Exploration

The perfect journey to explore both most fascinating wet and dry caves, especially Hang Tien 1 and 2. They are the biggest dry caves of the system with enormous entrances, large calcite formations and unusual rock features.

VND 9,900,000/pax

Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer

This exciting journey has some challenging sections, but with the help of the team you will explore six amazing caves. River caves where you can swim or raft and dry caves covered in outstanding calcite formations.

VND 9,500,000/pax

Tu Lan Expedition

This level 5 expedition is one of our most challenging treks. Throughout the four days you will explore numerous caves, both river caves and dry caves; abseil inside Tu Lan Cave down to the underground river

VND 18,000,000/pax