Hang Tien Cave Day Trek
If you are looking for a short adventure vacation in Quang Binh, Vietnam, you might be interested in the Hang Tien Cave Day Trek. This tour will take you to the largest dry cave in the Tu Lan Cave System, where you can marvel at the spectacular formations and rimstone pools. The day includes hill climbing, swimming in natural lakes, and caving. This tour is suitable for physically active guests who want to explore the wilderness and beauty of this region.
- The grandest cave and the mysterious gateway: Hang Tien is the largest cave in the Tu Lan system, serving as the spectacular culmination point before the magnificent underground river merges with the Rao Nan River and flows towards the sea. This is more than just a cave; it's a mysterious portal to the vast, hidden world of Tu Lan's unique subterranean water system.
- Galactic domes and masterpiece stalactites: Step inside and be awestruck by the immense, awe-inspiring cave ceiling—a colossal, swirling arch that mimics a massive galaxy or spiral nebula. Hang Tien boasts one of the most extraordinary stalactite systems in Tu Lan, featuring stunning, terraced 'rice-paddy' calcite formations and monumental pillars of flowstone reaching dozens of meters high, a testament to millions of years of geological sculpting.
- Conquering the pristine, biodiverse jungle: The entire journey is an epic expedition beneath a dense, pristine primary forest canopy, where explorers continuously witness the shifting, rich diversity of the ecosystem. The winding trail traverses lush, verdant earth mountains and majestic limestone peaks, offering a challenging and endlessly fascinating trek through diverse and dramatic landscapes.
- The natural "infinity pool" experience: After a challenging hike and climb, travelers can immerse themselves in the crystal-clear, cool waters of the natural spring pool for absolute rejuvenation. This is pure water erupting directly from the underground cave system, creating a perfect, wild "infinity pool" set amid the untouched wilderness before it flows out to the main river.
- A journey that transforms lives: Beyond the natural splendor, your presence contributes to a powerful story of community resilience and growth. Sustainable tourism has played a key role in transforming Tan Hoa, driving the poverty rate down from 85.7% in 2010 to just 2% in 2024. This expedition supports vital initiatives, including the construction of floating houses and septic toilets to improve local living standards. Furthermore, Oxalis is committed to future generations, sponsoring free open swimming and safety training to over 300 children in Tan Hoa and along the Rao Nan River every year.
The highlights include:
Itinerary
The schedule of Hang Tien Cave Day Trek is subject to change due to weather conditions. The path can be quite muddy and slippery when it rains.
Download the itinerarySafety briefing - Hang Tien 1
You should be in Phong Nha before 07:00 AM on the tour day to ensure on-time departure. Oxalis provides dorm rooms with 6 comfortable beds available at Oxalis Home (Oxalis Office) for those who arrive in Phong Nha early in the morning of the tour and want to rest a bit before the tour (please inform us in advance if you want to use the free dorm room service).
Between 07:00 - 07:30 you will be picked up at your accommodation in the Phong Nha area, and taken to the Oxalis Tan Hoa office (70km from Phong Nha). There will be a safety briefing, and you will collect safety equipment and sign the release form. After the briefing, the group will depart for Tuyen Hoa to begin the Hang Tien one-day trek.
The journey starts with a climb over a hill, leading deep into the forest. You will trek through untouched jungle and cross rocky terrain before descending into a valley. Following a trail toward the west, large rock formations will gradually appear along the way. After navigating this more challenging section, you will reach the cave entrance, where a stunning landscape opens up. Before entering, our guide will provide a light snack to help you recharge.
Stepping inside Hang Tien, part of the Tu Lan cave system, an immense space unfolds with layered calcite formations resembling terraced fields, covered in natural greenery. Looking up, you will see a soaring dome and unique striped patterns stretching across the cave walls. As you venture deeper, the cave reveals even more impressive and mysterious formations shaped by nature over time. After reaching the rear entrance of the cave, the group will return to the starting point to enjoy a prepared lunch.
Tan Hoa – Phong Nha
After enjoying lunch at the entrance of Hang Tien Cave, which stands over 60 meters high, the group will navigate through the rock formations and walk to a natural pool in the forest. Here, you can swim and take photos freely. To conclude your Vietnam cave discovery trip, the group will continue along the scenic Rao Nan stream towards the main road, where you board the bus and return to the Oxalis Tan Hoa office for a shower and a cold drink. The bus will then return the group to Phong Nha around 19:30–20:00.
Please note:
To prevent being late for the tour departure, you must arrive in Phong Nha before 7:00 AM on the day of the departure.
It is advised to reserve a seat on the SE3 train leaving from Hanoi/Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi station, or the SE8 train leaving from Da Nang/Hue to Dong Hoi station if you wish to go to Phong Nha by rail in the morning of departure (It is recommended to book an additional shuttle bus from Dong Hoi station to Phong Nha).
For those who arrive in Phong Nha early on the day of the tour and want to take a little time to relax before embarking the Hang Tien one day adventure, Oxalis offers a free dorm room service with 6 comfy mattresses at Oxalis Home (Oxalis Office). If you intend to use the service, do let us know in advance.
Suggested itinerary before and after the tour:
To ensure the best preparation before your journey or to unwind after the expedition, Oxalis suggests staying at Chay Lap Farmstay, featuring premium rooms, a swimming pool, spa, kayaking, cycling, and more. A special discounted rate for Oxalis customers is 1,000,000 VND/room for 2 people. Check availability here: chaylapfarmstay.com
During your time in Phong Nha, the Phong Nha Caves Exploration Museum (open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, free admission) is a must-visit destination. Here, you can experience the Son Doong 5D VR technology for 500,000 VND per ticket. All proceeds from this activity are contributed to the Oxalis Foundation to support local community projects, making your journey even more meaningful.
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Weather and climate in Tan Hoa - Hang Tien area
The Tu Lan - Hang Tien area has four seasons (spring, summer, fall, and winter). The Hang Tien Cave Day Trek operates year-round. From December to March, the weather may occasionally be cold due to cold air outbreaks in the region, but there are also sunny and warm days.
April and May are warm months, not too hot, and are a great time for visitors to see many types of wildflowers blooming. From June to August, it is summer and hot, but most of the time, visitors will be in caves where the temperature is between 22°C and 25°C, so it doesn't feel hot. During the summer months, visitors can also swim in streams and underground lakes inside the caves.
From mid-September to mid-November, when the weather changes to fall and winter, the tour will follow a weather-adaptive route to ensure comfort and safety while providing an enjoyable experience during the cool days.
Each season has its natural features to enjoy, and visitors can check the weather at Tu Lan - Hang Tien via “Accuweather” before joining an Oxalis Adventures caving tour.
Adventure level
After many years of operating adventure discovery tours, Oxalis has created an adventure scale to help tourists visualize and choose the right caving trip for their fitness and health. This scale is not to be applied to other companies with different conditions and terrains. The easiest level anyone can join and the most difficult level 6 requires regular exercise and some trekking experience. Hang Tien Cave Day trek, though only a one day one night adventure, is still quite demanding, with challenging terrain. Guests should have a reasonable level of fitness to enjoy the Hang Tien Cave Day trek tour.
Adventure Level 2 · Easy
The Hang Tien Cave Day Trek Tour is rated as Easy (Level 2) on the Oxalis Adventure level system. The difficulty of the tour is based on the physical fitness and health of average active people, not runners, athletes, or intensely active individuals.
Number of guests per tour: Maximum 12 guests; Age 16-70 years old.
Expect: Rocky terrain, steep hills, long trek
- Moderate trekking
- 9,5km of trekking including 1,5km of caving
- 150m elevation gain
- Swimming in the natural stream
- There will be some rocky terrain
Terrains
The tour takes place in remote areas with complex terrains. Customers must be physically fit. Please carefully read the tour itinerary and honestly fill out the booking information yourself, especially your experience and health condition.
Physical fitness requirements for Hang Tien Cave Day Trek Tour
The basic physical fitness requirements for participating in the Hang Tien Cave Day Trek tour include:
- Trekking experience requirements: Having experience in trekking and camping in the forest is an advantage.
- Fitness Preparation: Regularly participating in physical activities (such as yoga, swimming, hiking, running, stair climbing, gym, and some other sports)to maintain physical fitness. This ensures that they are able to:
- Run continuously for 3km within 30 minutes.
- Climb 5 floors continuously without becoming out of breath or dizzy.
Guests aged 16 to 70 are permitted to join the Hang Tien Cave Day Trek Tour, which demands good physical fitness and prior trekking experience. Those with experience in mountain trekking and good physical health, as well as those who engage in regular sports training, could easily complete this tour.
Some guests on the Hang Tien Cave Day Trek tour may find it not particularly challenging, while others may encounter difficulties and require assistance from many safety assistants to complete the tour. The tour regulations allow safety experts and/or guides to temporarily suspend the journey, and escort guests out of the forest if significant difficulties are encountered on the itinerary. Refunds or rescheduling are not applicable in such cases.
For more information on the necessary physical activities for a successful trip, please refer to: https://oxalisadventure.com/getting-ready-oxalis-tour/.
Safety when joining the tour
This is always the top priority of Oxalis Adventure to ensure the safety of both visitors and Oxalis’ staff on any trip, including one day one night adventures. We only use high-quality equipment meeting international standards, mainly imported from France, the UK, and Switzerland. The tour guides must undergo professional training and be tested for skills regularly. Only qualified guides may lead an Oxalis tour. Visitors can learn about the "safety management" and " safety equipment" that Oxalis uses here.
Dangers, risks and how to avoid them on tour
Any adventure activities will always contain risks and these must be carefully managed. Oxalis tours take place in remote locations without easy access to medical care. Hence a lot of work goes into managing and reducing risks to the lowest level possible. Please always follow the instructions of the tour guide and safety assistants.
You can learn more about "Adventure Safety Tips" here.
Communication on tour
Hang Tien Cave Day Trek Tour is an adventure tour in Quang Binh with a challenging difficulty level and is operated in a remote forest with physical challenges, far from external support such as medical assistance, hospitals etc. The Hang Tien Cave Day Trek Tour follows jungle trails, many hills up and down, and no paths are suitable for vehicles. There is no phone signal, no wifi, and no charging facilities.
Each Oxalis cave tour is equipped with 1 satellite phone for the guide to contact the office in case of emergency. Guests can only use the internet and phone at the village before and after the Oxalis tour. During the tour, Oxalis staff will keep in touch by radio if required.
* Please note that tour communication is conducted in English and Vietnamese.
Emergency Response Process
Oxalis Adventure has an established "Emergency Response Protocol" that includes on-site first aid and rescue if an accident occurs during trekking or cave exploration. We organize many training courses for first aid, rescue, and evacuation, and have rescue teams for each tour operation area. The specialized equipment is imported from abroad and complies with European standards. Due to the remote location, rescue teams and medical assistants will take from 30 minutes to 2 hours to reach the location. Therefore, the safety of visitors is the top priority of Oxalis in any activities related to caving in Vietnam. For Experts and Sales consultants to give suitable advice, guests are required to fill in their fitness and health information in the Booking form honestly. They are also required to update the information to the Oxalis consultant 45 days before the tour departure.
Items to bring on tour
It is necessary to be well prepared for the trip because the Hang Tien – Quang Binh 1 day discovery is a long hiking tour with a variety of terrain. Guests will be asked to wear appropriate clothing for safety reasons, good for moving in the jungle, river crossing, or exploring the cave as well as avoiding dangers and risks from sharp rocks, snakes, insects, or poison ivy. Long trousers and long-sleeved shirts should be worn for trekking. Trekking shoes play a very important role in Oxalis Adventure tours in Vietnam, such as this. Visitors must choose a good and well-fitting pair of shoes for rocky steep mountains. Please test your shoes before the trek. Besides, guests also need to prepare personal items for 1 day’s trekking in the jungle.
You need to prepare
Essential clothing
- 1 medium size backpack (20L) to carry stuff that you need while trekking
- 1 quick-dry, bright, long-sleeved shirt
- 1 pair of quick-dry and long trekking pants
- 1 pair of good gripping trekking/approach closed shoes. Heavyweight trekking boots are not necessary
- 1-2 pairs of calf-length, thick socks
- 1 waterproof jacket (winter months November to March)
- Swimming suit
- Clothes to change after the trek
- Footwear to change after the tour (If you use your own trekking shoes)
Personal items
- Mosquito repellent
- Sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen
- Hand fan for summer (April to September)
- Medium towel
- Power banks
- Personal medication
- Passport
Oxalis provides
- Caving and safety gears: helmet, headlight, gloves, …
- Basic jungle boots (EU size 36–44); if using Oxalis shoes, bring thick, long socks and 2 insoles to ensure comfort.
- Water bottle (1L)
- Water purifier
- Compost toilet, toilet paper, hand cleaner
- First-aid kit and medical rescue equipment
- Satellite phone
- Secure storage at office
Swimming at campsites
The campground on Hang Tien Cave Day Trek Tour is located next to the river and pools so guests can swim here. All swimming activities are supervised by safety assistants.During heavy rain the river may turn brown and muddy. Soap and shampoo cannot be used in the rivers and pools.
Toilet at the campsites
The Hang Tien tour occurs in a remote jungle with no power or infrastructure and for conservation and hygiene, Oxalis has created environmentally friendly toilets, called "Oxalis Composting Toilets". The toilet is inside a tent, and consists of a normal toilet seat on top of a box. Inside the box, is a bucket and waste bag to collect all waste and toilet paper which is provided. Nearby is a container of rice husks.
After finishing, cover the waste with a generous scoop of rice husks. This ensures a dry composting process, which does not smell, and covers the waste from insects.
When the buckets are full, the porters will change them and bury the waste in a designated location in the jungle. This will biodegrade and turn into fertilizer.
Visitors are required to use the composting toilets for both urination and defecation. Urination outside the toilet or inside the cave is not allowed because of the smell and impact on cave formations and the cave ecosystem.
Hand washing facilities are provided.
Directions to Phong Nha - Tu Lan
Phong Nha is located 45 km from Dong Hoi City, the capital of Quang Tri Province (About 40 minutes by car). You can book a private car service from Oxalis to pick you up at the airport or train station, or you can hire a taxi. There are many ways to get to Dong Hoi such as a plane, train or sleeper bus.
Domestic routes:
- Flight: Daily flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are operated by Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet, to Dong Hoi.
- Train: From Hanoi to and from Ho Chi Minh City, there are numerous SE trains that travel every day. Dong Hoi station is where Ho Chi Minh has a stop.
- Bus: Buses from Hanoi to Phong Nha, Dong Hoi, or from Da Nang, Hue to Phong Nha run often during the day or at night.
International airports: There are 3 main international airports for international flights: Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) and Da Nang International Airport (DAD). From Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) or Ha Noi, travellers can book domestic flights to Dong Hoi Airport (VDH). From Da Nang, travelers can catch a train or bus to Dong Hoi/Phong Nha.
You can check out the means of transportation to Phong Nha here. “How to get to Phong Nha?". All participants of Oxalis Adventure tours will be picked up at their designated hotel around Phong Nha town on the morning of the departure day.
Vietnam visa: Vietnam currently grants visa exemptions to citizens of 29 countries and has expanded its E-visa program to apply to nationals of all countries and territories (formerly restricted to 80). For the latest details on travel policies, please verify the information here: Vietnam Travel Policy Updates
Tour booking process
This is an adventure tour, and it requires a lot of logistical support. To avoid disappointment and complications, guests should choose the best tour for their fitness, abilities and interests. Reading the tour information carefully will help visitors make the right choice for their trips. The booking process includes the following steps:
Tour prices and availability
- Season: Tours operate year-round.
- Group Size: Limited to 12 guests per tour for safety and conservation.
- Tour Types: Fixed departure dates for individuals; private tours available for special groups or film crews.
- Exclusive Offer: Enjoy a 10% discount for UOB cardholders and Xiều Oxalis (returning guests).
Terms of tour cancellation
After completing the reservation, visitors will be required to pay 100% of the tour cost to confirm the booking. Guests can receive a full refund if the cancellation is 7 days before departure. Any cancellations less than 7 days before the departure date are non-refundable. Please see the cancellation terms here for more information.
Hang Tien Cave Discovery tour price includes
The cost of the Hang Tien Cave Day Trek Tour is 2,200,000 VND per person, which covers the VAT, entrance fee, and service fee for the protection of the forest ecosystem. The following services are included in the tour:
- Service team: There will be a guide, a safety assistant, and a chef.
- Food and Drink: Oxalis provides food, water, tea, and coffee during the journey (not including extra requirements). Dishes are based on fixed menus, vegetarian and vegan will be provided if ordered.
- Safety equipment: Oxalis will provide safety equipment such as helmets, harnesses, headlights, gloves etc.
- Travel insurance: Oxalis buys travel insurance for all guests participating in the tours with a maximum compensation of VND 10,000,000. Visitors are asked to buy comprehensive travel insurance for themselves before joining the tour.
Carbon Footprint Index
At Oxalis Adventure, our commitment to Net Zero tourism is driving tangible results. Our 2024 greenhouse gas inventory reveals that the average carbon footprint for participants of the Hang Tien Cave Day Trek has dropped to 28.7 kgCO2e per person – a significant 18% reduction compared to 2023 figures. This comprehensive calculation accounts for all emission sources, including transportation, accommodation, and tour activities, underscoring our successful efforts to minimize environmental impact while maintaining high-quality adventure experiences.
Hang Tien Cave Day Trek • HT1
Adventure Level: Easy
Age 16-70 years old
Group size: 12 customers
Tour type: Join-in
Operation: Year-round
USD 83 • VND 2,200,000/pax
Book nowWhether you prefer long treks, camping in a cave, sleeping under the stars in the jungle, swimming underground in river caves, explore the huge dry caves or just taking an exploratory day trip, Oxalis Adventure Tours can provide the right amount of adventure just for you.
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