Hang Tien Endeavor Tour
Hang Tien Endeavor Tour is a challenging 3-day, 2-night adventure, where guests will trek through the jungle to explore four caves in the Tu Lan Cave System, including Hang Tien 1 & 2 - two of the largest dry caves in the area. These caves are well-known for their giant stalactites and immense passages that evoke an otherworldly feeling. The journey also offers the chance to swim in Hang Fun, navigating beautiful maze-like underground rivers, and experience the eternal darkness of Ho Tien Cave, where visitors can listen to the sound of water droplets falling from the ceiling, forming unique stalactite formations over thousands of years.
The tour includes one night camping by a tranquil river, immersing participants in the pristine nature. During this adventure, visitors will enjoy a traditional dinner at a local home and spend the night at Rural Homestay—the very first weather-adaptive homestay in Vietnam.
Hang Tien is the largest dry cave in the Tu Lan System, and is located in Cao Quang Commune, Tuyen Hoa District, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam. This is about 70 km from Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. Hang Tien is famous for its natural beauty with special cave formations such as gour pools.
- Explore Tu Lan's largest and most unique caves: The journey to conquer Hang Tien Cave will take travelers through the four most beautiful caves in the Tu Lan Cave System: Hang Fun, Hang Ho Tien, Hang Tien 1, and Hang Tien 2. Hang Tien is the largest cave in the Tu Lan System, boasting a colossal volume. In some spots, it reaches nearly 100 meters high and 50 meters wide. What truly sets Hang Tien apart is its incredibly unique and rare domed structure. The ceiling features swirling formations that resemble the Milky Way Galaxy in outer space.
- Riverside camping at its finest: Visitors will camp beside a natural underground lake, often likened to an "infinity pool" nestled in the Cao Quang mountains. As night falls, the star-filled sky and the profound silence create a breathtaking backdrop, offering a peaceful camping experience. It’s a chance to fully immerse yourself in the wild, pristine nature—an unforgettable moment on your expedition.
- Experience Tan Hoa's local culture: On the final evening, travelers will enjoy a cozy, authentic local dinner at a resident's home, savoring the simple and heartfelt flavors of Tan Hoa's cuisine. This is also an opportunity to hear stories about the transformation of Tan Hoa village, a place where people and nature live in harmonious connection. Additionally, guests can cycle to explore the peaceful village, admire the countryside, and enjoy the rare, fresh, and relaxing atmosphere.
- Unique floating homestay experience: Experience a night in Vietnam's most unique weather-adapted homestay model, built and utilized for tourism. These "floating house" homestays offer all the comforts of a mini-hotel, coupled with the open, enthusiastic, and warm hospitality of the host families. Sharing a cup of tea or a local cultural story with your hosts will provide an experience you won't find anywhere else.
- A unique shared economy model: To promote local tourism development, Oxalis has supported 10 families to offer home-cooked dinners and another 10 families to run homestays in their floating houses, which they normally use for flood evasion. By joining the Hang Tien Expedition, travelers are directly contributing to the creation of jobs and income for the local people, making it a sustainable and meaningful journey.
- 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 unique features of the trip are:
Itinerary
The itinerary of exploration tours can be changed due to weather conditions. The jungle trail during the exploration trip can be quite muddy and slippery when it rains.
Download the itineraryPhong Nha - Tan Hoa Commune - Fun Cave - Ho Tien Cave - Tien Cave Campsite
From 07:30 to 08:00 AM on the departure day of Hang Tien Endeavor Tour, the tour guide and driver will pick you up at hotels around Phong Nha town to drive to Tan Hoa Commune for the safety briefing and packing. After signing the Release form, you will receive the necessary safety equipment and set off for the caving tour.
After warming up with an ascent of a small hill, you will overcome some rocky terrain and trek downhill to a small valley, with a short, steep peak to conquer before reaching Fun Cave – a “warm-up” cave in this caving and jungle trekking tour. The Hang Tien trekking route begins with a walk along a trail leading to the Hang Fun area. Here, visitors will be equipped like real explorers with headlamps, helmets, gloves, and specialized life vests for cave exploration, ready to conquer Fun Cave. Inside, you’ll experience swimming through its maze-like underground river system before returning for a picnic lunch by a scenic stream, prepared by our porters.
Following lunch, the group will continue to explore Ho Tien Cave—a natural wonder with truly unique formations and an eternal darkness where the only sound is droplets of water creating one-of-a-kind stalactites. Afterward, you will resume the trek to reach the Hang Tien campsite, nestled next to a stunning emerald green lake, perfect for a refreshing swim in a “natural infinity swimming pool.” Enjoy the beautiful surroundings before returning to camp for a hot cup of coffee or tea as sunset approaches. A delicious dinner will be served soon after by our amazing porters or chefs, allowing you to relax before retiring to your tent for a comfortable night.
Hang Tien 1 & 2 - Tan Hoa
After breakfast at the camp, guests continue to walk through the jungle and over a very rocky path to reach Hang Tien 1. You will be amazed by the vast entrance with a high roof, and tall calcite formations covered with plants and mosses. Marvel at the circular ceiling dome inside. At the end of Hang Tien Cave, you will be equipped with safety harnesses to climb up a 10m high ladder, leading to the cave exit.
After about 30 minutes of trekking through the tropical jungle, with several rocky sections, the group will reach the entrance to Hang Tien 2. Pass through a small entrance and spiral down to a huge passage, containing a floor of fine terraces, cave pearls, and many formations. After finishing Hang Tien 2, the group will enjoy lunch before heading back to Hang Tien 1. Here, guests will tackle the final challenge, a steep ascent to the pickup point. Back at the Tan Hoa office, the group will check in to Rural Homestay in Tan Hoa to shower and relax.
Around 6:00 p.m, the group will walk to the local’s house for dinner and interact with the villagers. You will not only have the opportunity to try some delicious local food but also learn more about the living conditions of the people here. After dinner, the group will come back to Rural Homestay for a restful night.
Visit local farms by bike - Tour ends
Morning in Tan Hoa is peaceful and rustic, with wide green valleys and limestone mountains fading in and out of the early mist. You can enjoy the sunrise from your homestay window or take a short walk around the village to feel the fresh, quiet atmosphere. After that, you can cycle to the Tu Lan Lodge restaurant for breakfast, served from 6:30 AM.
At 08:30 AM, our guide will lead you on a bicycle tour through the heart of Tan Hoa. You will cycle along quiet paths lined with cornfields and peanut gardens, observing the daily rhythm of rural life. Stops include visits to local farms to learn about the sustainable VAC farming model. Along the way, you’ll taste local specialties like boiled corn, roasted peanuts, and ginger honey tea.
The tour finishes around 11:00 AM, giving you time to pack and prepare for check-out at 12:00 noon. The shuttle from Tan Hoa to Phong Nha or Dong Hoi departs at 12:30 PM.
Please inform Oxalis Adventure travel consultant of your flight/train/bus schedule at least one day in advance. If you are leaving Quang Tri on the same day, ensure your departure is after 4:00 PM.
If you wish to stay longer or join additional activities in the Phong Nha–Ke Bang area, contact your Oxalis Adventure consultant or ask the hotel reception for assistance.
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.
Gallery
Weather and Climate in the Tu Lan - Hang Tien area
The Tu Lan - Hang Tien area has 4 seasons in a year (spring, summer, autumn, and winter). Due to the weather and for conservation, Hang Tien Endeavour tours are only operated from November to the middle of September yearly.
- From December to March, the weather will sometimes be cold interspersed with sunny days.
- April and May are spring months with cool air.
- June to August are the warm months of summer. However, most of the time visitors trek under the forest canopy or inside the cave with a temperature of 22 to 25 degree Celsius. This is also a perfect time to enjoy the swim at the “infinity swimming pool” near the campsite.
Each season has its natural features to enjoy, and visitors can check the weather at Hang Tien or Tu Lan via Accuweather before joining an Oxalis Adventures caving tour.
Adventure level on tour
After many years of operating exploration adventure 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.
Adventure level: 2 - Easy
The Hang Tien Endeavor 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 of 10; Age 16-70 years old.
Activities: Rocky terrain, steep hills, long trek and short ladder climb
- 12km of trekking, 3.5km of caving
- 250m elevation gain
- River crossings
- Swimming in the caves with a life vest provided by Oxalis
- Swimming in the natural stream
- A 10m ladder climb with a safety rope, operated by the safety team
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 Endeavor Tour
The basic physical fitness requirements for participating in the Hang Tien Endeavor 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 Endeavor 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 Endeavor 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 on 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 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.
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.
* Please note that tour communication is conducted in English and Vietnamese.
Communication on tour
Hang Tien - Quang Binh is operated in a remote forest with physical challenges, far away from external support such as medical assistance, hospitals etc.
The Hang Tien Endeavor 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 hotel before and after the Oxalis tours. During the tour, Oxalis staff will keep in touch by radio.
Travel safety tips
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.
You can learn more about "Adventure Safety Tips" here.
Items to bring on tour
The Hang Tien Endeavor Tour is a three-day two-night trip in the jungle with different terrains and weather conditions, so guests need to be well prepared. They will be asked to have appropriate clothing for safety reasons, good for moving in the jungle, river crossing, or exploring the cave and avoiding dangers and risks from sharp rocks, snakes, insects, or poison ivy. Long trousers and long-sleeved shirts must be worn for trekking. Trekking shoes play a very important role in Oxalis Adventure tours in Vietnam. 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 night’s camping in the jungle. The Oxalis Phong Nha tour consultant will give you helpful advice before joining the Hang Tien Endeavor Tour.
Fitness preparation
You need to prepare
Essential clothing
- 1-2 quick-dry, bright, long-sleeved shirts
- 1-2 pairs of long trekking pants (quick-dry)
- 1 pair of good gripping trekking/approach closed shoes. Heavyweight trekking boots are not necessary
- 1 waterproof jacket (winter months November to March)
- 1-2 pairs of calf-length, thick socks
- Campsite clothing set:
- Warm clothes for winter from November to March;
- Shorts and T-shirts for summer from April to September - 1 pair of sandals/slides for campsite
- Swimwear
Personal items
- Mosquito repellent
- Sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen
- Hand fan for summer (April to September)
- 1 medium towel
- Underwear
- Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, nature-friendly shampoo & soap, …)
- Power banks
- Personal medication
- Passport
Oxalis provides
- Camping equipment: tent, mattresses, pillow, sleeping bags
- Caving and safety gears: helmet, headlight, gloves, …
- 1 PVC backpack (25L) to carry helmet, dry box, water and things you need during the trek.
- 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
- Semi-dry bag (15L) for campsite clothing set
- First-aid kit and medical rescue equipment
- Satellite phone
- Portable fan (in summer)
- Secure storage at office
Optional items
- Arm cover if wearing short-sleeved T-shirts
- Camera & Tripod
- Ear plugs
- Bandana or headband
- Rehydration tablets
Campsites in tour
This is considered to be one of the most beautiful campsites that Oxalis has, located right on the riverbank, and also the point where the underground river emerges, on its way to the sea, creating the amazing “natural infinity swimming pool”. The campsite in the valley has open views allowing visitors to contemplate the clear blue sky, millions of stars or the colorful dawn.
The average temperature in winter is about 15 to 18 degrees Celsius, and in summer it is from 30 to 38 degrees Celsius. Guests will be provided sleeping bags and warm mattresses for winter and solar-powered fans for summer. More information about the "unique campsites in Tu Lan Cave System" - camping inside Quang Binh forest is available here.
Bathing at the campsite
The campground on Hang Tien Endeavor Tour is located next to the river and pools so guests can swim here. All swimming activities are supervised by safety assistants. Soap and shampoo cannot be used in the rivers and pools. At the campsite are water storage tanks to store clean water for drinking and cooking. During heavy rain the river may turn brown and muddy. For conservation reasons, visitors must use bio-shampoos and soaps. Washing should be done at the campsite and not in the river.
Toilet at campsites
The 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 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
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.
Upon arrival and during their stay, travelers are required to present a valid passport together with a valid visa or other legal residence documents in Vietnam so that accommodation providers and tour operators can complete temporary residence registration as required by Vietnamese regulations.
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 logistic 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 price and available dates for booking
- Season: Tours operate from mid-November to mid-September every year.
- Group Size: Limited to 10 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 more refund and cancellation terms here.
Hang Tien Endeavor Tour price includes
The tour price for Hang Tien Endeavour is VND 8,000,000 (or US$300) per person. The tour price includes VAT, sightseeing fee, and environmental service fee along with the following services:
- Logistics: Each 10-guest tour will have 1 tour guide, 2 safety assistants, 1 chef, 2 security guards, and 4 porters as well as food and camping equipment. The number of team members may vary depending on the group's physical condition.
- Food and Drink: Oxalis provides food, water, tea, and coffee during the journey (not including extra requirements). Dinner at the local household. The Dishes are based on fixed menus, vegetarian and vegan will be provided if ordered.
- Accommodation: Oxalis offers 1-night camping in the jungle and 1 night at Rural Homestay in Tan Hoa after the tour.
- 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, we are dedicated to minimizing our environmental impact and promoting sustainable tourism practices. Since 2023, Oxalis has conducted annual greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories as an essential part of our journey toward Net Zero tourism.
According to the 2024 greenhouse gas inventory, participants of the Hang Tien Endeavor Tour were associated with an average carbon footprint of 95.1 kgCO2e per person. This figure comprehensively accounts for all emission sources, including transportation, accommodation, and tour-related activities.
Hang Tien Endeavor Tour • HT2
Adventure Level: Easy
Tour type: Join-in
Age 16-70 years old
Group size: 10 customers
Operation: mid-Nov to mid-Sep
USD 300 • VND 8,000,000/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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