Hang Va Expedition Tour

The 2-day, 1-night Hang Va Expedition reveals the wonders of Nuoc Nut Cave and Hang Va Cave, known as the world's two most unique wet caves. Hang Va was featured in Planet Earth III - BBC's famous documentary series, showcasing its exceptionally rare towering cones emerging from emerald-green waters. This tour is ideal for adventurous travelers seeking mountain trekking, rope traversing, and overnight stays in a jungle campsite. The experience is particularly rewarding for photographers.

The 2-day Hang Va Expedition Tour will offer a unique experience with 1 night of camping in the forest. The Hang Va Expedition will take you to explore 2 caves: Hang Nuoc Nut and Hang Va.

Located in the core zone of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, close to the exit of Son Doong Cave, Hang Va (Va Cave) was discovered by Mr Ho Khanh in 1992 and surveyed by the British - Vietnam Cave Expedition team led by Howard Limbert in 2012.

Hang Va is considered a special cave in the world of cave formations, with a river passage below and a large high-level passage above with dozens of tower cone formations. There are cones of different sizes and shapes, with the tallest tower cones being around 2 meters high. Geologists yet cannot confirm how these cones have formed. They are located in giant gour pools behind huge gour dams.

Hang Va and Nuoc Nut Caves were introduced in the "Otherworldly landscapes: 7 of Vietnam’s best cave experiences" by CNN Travel. Hang Va was also featured as the coolest new adventure in Asia by Forbes.

On November 26, 2023, Hang Son Doong, Hang En and Hang Va were featured on Episode 6 - EXTREMES of the famous documentary series Planet Earth III made by BBC.

  • Expedition tour to explore the cave with the most unique cave formations in the world.
  • Explore Nuoc Nut Cave with fresh pools, large passages with sandbanks and many cave formations.
  • Explore the unique cone towers in Hang Va with the tallest ones being more than 2 meters.
  • Explore around 700 meters of Hang Va underground river passage with hip-deep water with little waterfalls from the cave ceiling.
  • Experience using safety equipment to cross some technical sections in Hang Va.
  • Trekking through a primaeval and dense jungle deep in the core zone of the national park.
  • Experience the jungle campsite with fresh air and the beauty of Mother Nature.
  • Having the opportunity to listen to the sound of wild animals such as monkeys, flying foxes, and woodpecker from the campsite.

Important Note: Due to the remote and adventurous nature of our tours, we recommend booking directly with Oxalis to ensure you receive accurate and comprehensive information. Many websites claim to feature and sell Oxalis tours, but they may be scams or have marked-up prices. Oxalis will not be responsible for any bookings made through such sites.

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.

To book a tour for a group, please send the tour information to them and instruct each member to complete the booking form on their own. Our booking system lets each person fill in their own information, avoiding errors or missing details when someone else does it for you. Read more about Oxalis Adventure Level.

HV2 trekking graph

Itinerary

The Oxalis Hang Va tour schedules can be changed due to weather conditions. The jungle trail can be quite muddy and slippery when raining. Hang Va Cave Expedition itinerary, booking process, fees and other information are detailed below.

Download the itinerary

Phong Nha - Nuoc Nut Cave - Hang Va Campsite

From 8:00 to 8:30 AM on the morning of the departure, the car will come to pick you up at your hotel in Phong Nha and bring you to the Oxalis office for the safety briefing. After signing the Release Form and finishing packing for the trek, you will set off for the hike to Hang Va, a famous cave in Vietnam.

From the drop-off point, you will collect your helmet and walk through the jungle for about 30 minutes to reach a stream, following this to arrive at the entrance of Nuoc Nut Cave. Lunch will be served here before exploring Nuoc Nut using the helmet, headlight, and gloves provided. After stooping through the small cave entrance, a mysterious underground world will appear in front of your eyes with beautiful cave formations, sandbanks and the chance to see and learn about albino insects that are living in the caves of Vietnam. Explore the narrow connection between Nuoc Nut and Hang Va, after the large cave passage of Nuoc Nut, and the squirming connection you will enjoy swimming in the cool water of the Hang Va stream passage before donning a safety harness to climb out of the cave to the campsite located in the deep jungle. A delicious dinner will be served soon.

Hang Va - Phong Nha

You will continue to explore the upstream section of Hang Va. From the entrance, there are many narrow sections where you have to work your way through the rocks. Then follows a beautiful stream passage with many small water spouts from the roof. You will again be equipped with safety harnesses to climb into the Tower Cone Passage. Follow the specially designed footpath to protect this unique area. Hang Va will amaze you with this mysterious zone of stalactites, stalagmites, and tower cones. Explore the story of Mr. Ho Khanh's journey to discover Hang Va and the efforts of the British-Vietnamese Cave Expedition Team in exploring Hang Va, transforming it into a captivating tourist destination in Quang Binh, Vietnam; Uncovering the stories of the connection between Hang Va and Hang Son Doong will surely add excitement to your expedition.

Returning from the high-level passage you will exit the cave, and return to the campsite for lunch. After a well-prepared lunch, you will rest and pack your belongings and then trek out over a rocky pass and down to the Hang Va Valley that leads back to the road and the pick-up point.

The bus will take the group back to Phong Nha at about 5:00 PM.

Suggested accommodations before and after the tour:
Chay Lap Farmstay is an ideal place to stay before and after joinging Oxalis cave tours. High quality rooms, swimming pool, spa, kayaking, cycling, yachting... Specially discount rate for Oxalis customers are 1 million VND/room for 2 people. Check availability here
chaylapfarmstay.com →

Weather and Climate in Hang Va Cave

Hang Va - Phong Nha has 4 seasons in a year (spring, summer, autumn, and winter), the same as many northern provinces of Vietnam. Due to the rainy season and to ensure the safety of visitors, Hang Va Expedition is only operated from January to August. From January to March, the weather will sometimes be cold interspersed with sunny days. April and May are warmer months, and June to August, are the warmest summer months. However, most of the trek is under the forest canopy or inside the cave with a temperature of 22 to 25 degrees Celsius. Summer is a good time to enjoy swimming inside Hang Va.

Adventure level on tour

After many years of adventure tourism activities, Oxalis Adventure has created a Level of Adventure scale to help guests participating in Oxalis tours to visualize and choose the adventure tour most suitable for their fitness and health. This scale is not to be applied to other companies or tours with different conditions and terrains. The easiest level (level 1) anyone can join, and the most difficult level - 6 requires regular exercise and some trekking experience. Those who often play sports or do exercise can complete this tour.

Adventure level: 3 · Moderate
The Hang Va Expedition tour is rated as Moderate (Level 3) 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.
Activities: Crossing and climbing rocky terrain, hiking through the jungle, caving, swimming in the cave, and using rope and technical equipment with the support of guide and safety assistants.
The number of guests per tour: Maximum of 10 guests; Age 16-70 years old.

  • 15km of mountain trekking with rough terrain
  • 7km cave exploration
  • 100m underground swimming
  • Elevation gain: 150m
  • Trekking through underground stream passages
  • Using rope and technical equipment
Adventure Level HV2 trekking graph

Physical fitness requirements for Hang Va Expedition tour

The basic physical fitness requirements for participating in the Hang Va Expedition 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 3 kilometres within 30 minutes.
    - Climb 5 floors continuously without experiencing shortness of breath or dizziness.

Guests aged 16 to 70 are permitted to join the Hang Va Expedition tour, which demands good physical fitness. 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 Va Expedition 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/.

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Safety on the tour

This is always the top priority of all Oxalis Adventure tours to ensure the safety of both visitors and Oxalis’ staff on any trip. We only use high-quality equipment meeting international standards, mainly imported from France, the UK, and Switzerland. The guide team must undergo professional training and be tested for skills regularly. Only qualified Oxalis guides are allowed to lead Oxalis tours. Visitors can learn about the "safety management" and "safety equipment" that Oxalis uses here.

Risk prevention and management

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.

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Preparation for the Hang Va Expedition

The Hang Va Expedition tour includes 1-night camping in the forest, so the items you need to prepare are quite simple. However, for a caving and camping tour in Vietnam, visitors will be asked to prepare suitable clothing for safety and comfort. Clothing should be good for trekking in the jungle, river crossings, or exploring the cave as well as avoiding dangers and risks from sharp rocks, snakes, insects, or poison ivy.

Long trousers and long-sleeved tops should be worn. Trekking shoes play a very important role in adventure tours like the Hang Va Expedition. Visitors need to choose a good, well-fitting pair of shoes for steep rocky terrain and they should not be waterproof, as during river crossings they will hold water inside. Besides, they also need to prepare personal items for 1 night’s camping in the jungle. The Oxalis tour consultant will give you helpful advice before joining the Hang Va tour in Quang Binh, Vietnam.

You need to prepare

Essential clothing

  • Trekking clothes:
    - 1-2 quick-dry, bright, long-sleeved shirts
    - 1-2 pairs of long trekking pants (quick-dry)
    - 1 waterproof jacket (winter months January to March)
  • Campsite clothing sets:
    - Warm clothes for winter from January to March
    - Shorts and T-shirts for summer from April to August
  • 1 pair of good gripping trekking shoes (drainable)
    *Waterproof/Gore Tex shoes are not recommended.
  • 2 pairs of calf-length, thick socks
  • 1 pair of sandals/slides for campsite

Personal items

  • Mosquito repellent
  • Sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen
  • Hand fan for summer (April to August)
  • 1 medium towel
  • Underwear
  • Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, nature-friendly shampoo & soap, …)
  • Power banks
  • Personal medication
  • Antifungal foot powder
  • Passport

Provided by Oxalis

  • 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.
  • Dry box for electronic devices
  • Water bottle (1L)
  • Water purifier
  • Compost toilet, toilet paper, hand cleaner
  • Semi-dry bag (15L) for campsite clothing sets and personal items
  • First-aid kit and medical rescue equipment
  • Satellite phone

Optional items

  • Arm cover if wearing short-sleeved T-shirts
  • Camera & Tripod
  • Ear plugs
  • Bandana or headband
  • Rehydration tablets
  • Blister prevention tape

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Hang Va Campsite

Located in a small valley next to the entrance of Hang Va Cave, this campsite is surrounded by primeval forest, where you can feel and touch nature, especially on moonlit nights, or waking in the early morning to the dawn chorus. The campsite is fenced with protective nets to prevent snakes from entering the camp at night. It is also located in a high valley which is not affected by floods. You must not go outside the campsite without your guide

Bathing at the campsite

Hang Va Campsite is in the middle of the forest 50m away from the cave entrance. Therefore there are no bathing facilities in the camp. Swimming and refreshing yourself can be done in the river passage inside Hang Va before you exit. However, no soap or shampoo is allowed.

Toilet at the campsite

For hygiene and conservation reasons, Oxalis has created eco-friendly toilets for our campsites, 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.

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How to get to Phong Nha - Hang Va

Phong Nha is located 45 km from Dong Hoi City, Quang Binh, Vietnam (about 40 minutes by car). From there you can book a private transfer from Oxalis or rent a taxi to get to Chay Lap Farmstay resort.

* Visa: Vietnam provides visa exemption for citizens of ASEAN countries (30 days), and 45 days for citizens of (United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belarus, Russia).

* 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, traveler can catch a train or bus to Dong Hoi/Phong Nha.

  • Airplanes: There are many flights with Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet daily from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh to Dong Hoi.
  • Trains: Many SE trains run daily from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City stopping at Dong Hoi Station.
  • Bus: There are many day or night buses from Hanoi, Da Nang, and Hue to Dong Hoi or Phong Nha daily.

You can see more details of “transportation to Phong Nha" here.

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Hang Va tour booking process

This is an adventure tour in Vietnam and 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:

  • Visitors carefully read the tour program and self-assess their health and physical fitness. Appropriate training and preparation may be necessary.
  • Guests carefully read the tour highlights and activities to ensure they choose the tour that most interests them.
  • Guests fill in the personal information on the booking form themselves. They are asked to give honest answers about their fitness and health.
  • After the reservation is made, the Oxalis consultant will contact you within 48 hours to review the information and give guidance for the next steps. If you have not received any news from Oxalis’ within 48 hours, please give us a direct call or check the spam box in case Oxalis’ emails are in there.
  • After approval, guests will be asked to pay 100% of the tour cost to confirm the booking.
  • Leading up to the departure, your Oxalis consultant will regularly contact you to support you with the preparation of items as well as physical fitness. Or you can contact us for questions.
  • 45 days before departure, guests are asked to update their health and fitness to Oxalis.

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Tour price and available dates for booking

The Hang Va Expedition tour price is 8,300,000 VND (~US$346) per guest. For conservation and safety, the Hang Va Expedition has a maximum of 1500 guests per season from January to August. Hang Va tours depart on a fixed schedule and each individual can book and join with others. In addition, Oxalis also has a small number of tours for special groups or film crews. Please see the Hang Va tour departure schedule in the calendar below, the dates in bold are available. If you don't see the calendar appear, please wait a few seconds or press F5.

  • The date in bold is the first date of the tour schedule.
  • The tours are operated from January to August (closed from September to December).
  • Tour costs include VAT, environmental fee, sightseeing ticket, and travel insurance fee.
  • A discount of 10% for Xieu (Xieu return customers).

To ensure travelers have ample time to prepare both physically and logistically for their trip, Oxalis encourages early tour bookings. This allows for a more enjoyable experience. We offer a 10% discount on tour prices for travelers who book at least 90 days before the departure date. Simply enter the promo code "Earlybird" in the booking form when making your reservation.

* For new bookings effective from November 1st, 2024. Not combinable with other promotions.

Terms of cancellation

The Hang Va Expedition tour has only 1500 guests each year, so available slots are booked quickly. To confirm reservations, visitors will be required to pay 100% of the tour cost after approval. Guests can receive a full refund if the cancellation is 7 days before departure.

Cancellations after 7 days are non-refundable. Please see the cancellation terms here.

Tour price includes

This cost includes VAT, sightseeing, environmental and national park fees. The cost also includes the following services:

  • Logistics team: Each 10-guest tour will have 1 tour guide, 3 safety assistants, 1 chef, 4 porters carrying luggage, food, and camping equipment, and 1 park ranger. The number of team members may vary depending on the group's physical condition.
  • Food: Oxalis provides food, drinking water, tea, and coffee during the journey (not including extra requirements). Dishes are based on fixed menus, vegetarian and vegan menus will be provided if ordered. Please inform us of any food allergies.
  • Safety equipment: Oxalis will provide safety equipment such as helmets, harnesses, headlights, gloves etc.
  • Travel insurance: Oxalis provides 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.

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Carbon Footprint Index

At Oxalis Adventure, we are dedicated to minimizing our environmental impact and promoting sustainable tourism practices. As part of our ongoing efforts, we have conducted a comprehensive assessment of the carbon footprint associated with our Hang Va Expedition Tour.

Based on data collected from tour operations in 2023, we have calculated that the average carbon footprint per guest on the Hang Va Expedition Tour is 153.5 kgCO2e. This figure encompasses all emissions generated throughout the tour, including transportation, accommodation, and activities.

Carbon Footprint Index of Hang Va Expedition Tour

1. Jungle Trekking, Caving, Camping: This line item relates to direct emissions from trekking, caving, camping, cooking activities, and emissions from composted wastes within the jungles.

2. Transportation: All tours of Oxalis Adventure are operated within Quang Binh Province and do not involve airline activities. The emissions from transportation primarily come from the direct emissions of owned vehicles and upstream emissions from transportation service supplies.

3. Accommodation: This is the upstream emission from outsourced hotel services that we provide for our customers before and after trekking.

4. Tour Supplies: These items relate to upstream emissions associated with purchasing these supplies for tours.

  • Foods & Drinks: Related to upstream emissions from purchasing meat, vegetables, water, and other food and drink-related items.
  • Campsite Equipment: Related to upstream emissions from campsite preparation and purchasing campsite equipment such as tents, pillows, mattresses, tables, chairs, cooking and eating utensils.
  • Tour Equipment: Related to upstream emissions from purchasing storage bags, multiple-use drinking bottles, protective gloves, water filters, headlamps, filming lights, etc.
  • Safety Equipment: Related to upstream emissions from purchasing helmets, life jackets, safety harnesses, auto-locking devices, satellite phones.
  • Tour Amenities: Related to upstream emissions from purchasing medals, insurance, first aid kits, packaging materials, cleaning/washing supplies, etc.

5. Supporting Activities: The largest portion of these upstream emissions comes from the national park management service. This also includes emissions from all support activities such as sales, marketing, accounting, HR, IT, maintenance, and employee commuting.

Oxalis Group’s Journey to Net Zero: A Sustainable Transformation

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