Vietnam is not only an incredible country with rich traditions featured in history, but other aspects of the nation include some of the Earth’s greatest wonders, which include both the world’s biggest cave as well as some of the most attractive ones ever found. These top caves in Vietnam turn the adventure of exploration into a real-life fantasy film experience. Caves in Vietnam boast stunning, magnificent, and awe-inspiring beauty that holds a special allure for tourists. Beyond their natural splendor, these caves also house remarkable archaeological and historical-cultural relics, enhancing their value for tourism development. The cave systems in Vietnam are typically found in limestone mountain regions with well-developed karst topography. Vietnam’s three natural world heritage sites: Ha Long Bay, Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, and the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex—are renowned for their famous karst caves.
Son Doong Cave – Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park
Vietnam is fortunate with numerous magnificent caves, most of which are located within the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. For this reason, Phong Nha is often referred to as the Kingdom of Vietnamese Caves.
About Son Doong
Son Doong is one of the most beautiful cave in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. Son Doong is not only the largest cave on the planet but also the most majestic cave in Vietnam. The Son Doong Cave expedition program has been open to adventurous tourism since 2013. The British Cave Research Association (BCRA) discovered and explored in 2009-2010 by cave experts. To date, all scientific research and tourism expeditions have been organized and ensured for safety by one of Asia’s leading adventure tour companies, Oxalis Adventure, headquartered in Phong Nha, Quang Binh.Son Doong Cave stretches up to 5 kilometers in length, with its largest chambers reaching heights of up to 200 meters and widths of 150 meters. It’s so enormous that it could comfortably accommodate an entire 40-story skyscraper from New York City. With a measured volume of 38.5 million cubic meters, Son Doong Cave surpasses Malaysia’s Deer Cave, previously considered the world’s largest cave.Those surveys reveal that the tallest stalagmites in the world can be found in Son Doong Cave, up to 80 meters high.
How to get to Son Doong Cave
Oxalis is the only agency that arranges tours to Son Doong Cave. You can check their availability for their multi-day cave tour. It’s advisable to book well in advance, as reservations typically require about a year ahead, and the tour costs around $3,000 per person.
When to go Son Doong Cave
The best time to visit Son Doong Cave is typically from February to April. This period offers the most favorable weather conditions, with cool and pleasant temperatures ideal for exploration.Alternatively, nights occasionally become slightly cold therefore, it’s prudent to carry with you some warm clothes. Between May and August, there’s hot and humid weather hence if you’re planning on visiting then make sure you’re healthy enough so as not to get tired out by heat.The remaining months are characterized by heavy rainfall in Son Doong, which can be dangerous, so it’s best to avoid visiting during this time.
Sung Sot Cave – Ha Long Bay
Sung Sot Cave is the largest cave in Halong Bay, situated on the beautiful Bo Hon Island. Its name, “Sung Sot,” which means “Surprise,” perfectly reflects the breathtaking beauty of the cave.
About Sung Sot Cave
With an area that ranges from 500 meters in length by 30 meters high to 10,000 square meters it is clear why Son Doong Cave has been called one of the world’s most mysterious cavesUpon entering the cave, you’ll be greeted by two separate large chambers. The first chamber resembles a small amphitheater leading to the second chamber through a narrow passage.The French first discovered Sung Sot Cave in 1901. The cave’s remarkable beauty and grandeur left many in awe, prompting them to name it “La Grotte des Surprises” (The Cave of Surprises).But it wasn’t until after 40 years that that name became more widely recognized as well as known far and wide.A year before UNESCO designated the core area of Halong Bay as a World Natural Heritage Site, Sung Sot Cave began welcoming its first visitors. CNN Travel magazine has frequently featured the cave in its list of the seven most beautiful caves in Vietnam.
How to get there
From the heart of Ha Long City, travelers can travel along Hai Quan Road for about 4 kilometers to reach Bai Chay ferry terminal. From there, you can take a canoe or boat and head south for about 14 kilometers to reach Bo Hon Island, home to Sung Sot Cave.Sung Sot Cave is one of the stops on tour route 2 in Ha Long Bay. Therefore, if visitors want to explore this mysterious cave, they need to purchase tickets for route 2 in Ha Long Bay.Tour route 2 includes: The central conservation area of the cave park, including attractions such as Soi Sim Island, Ti Top Island, Sung Sot Cave, Bo Nau Cave, Ho Dong Tien Cave, Luon Cave, Trong Cave, Trinh Nu Cave, and Me Cung Cave. Tourists on Route 2 can enjoy cave explorations, swimming, boating with paddles or oars, using kayaks, speeding on motorboats, and observing a sea gulf.Ticket prices for route 2 are as follows:The above three items need clarification. On the day tour, it is 290,000 VND per person. As for the 2 days 1 night trip, the cost is 590,000 VND for each traveler while the 3 days 2 nights tour requires a payment of 790,000 VND each.Visitors need to purchase tickets at the two main ferry ports in Ha Long:– Tuan Chau International Passenger Port: Visitors just need to go to the main entrance, where they will see the ticket counter on the right side. The port is located on Tuan Chau Island, about 12km from the center of Ha Long City;– Ha Long International Passenger Port: This port, operational since 2019, is located in the center of Ha Long City.
Best time to visit
Usually, April and June are prime months for travelling.This period boasts pleasant weather, warm sunshine, and fewer tourists in Ha Long Bay.
Mua Cave – Ninh Binh
Mua Cave stands as one of Vietnam’s most exquisite caves in Vietnam, doubling as a renowned tourist spot in Ninh Binh. Presently, it resides within the Mua Cave Eco-Tourism Complex, enveloped by endless green rice fields, resembling a silk strip embracing the clustered hills, painting a breathtaking natural picture.
About Mua Cave in Vietnam
Mua Cave is a famous cave in Vietnam not only because it has nice internal features but also working extremely nice views while approached from an elevated position on top of a hill in the journey to reach there.As soon as you set foot on the Ngoa Long peak, you’ll be treated to a mesmerizing panoramic view that blankets the entire Trang An, Tam Coc, Ninh Binh landscape, captivating with its enchanting waterscapes. To reach the entrance of Mua Cave, visitors must ascend nearly 50 steep steps along the Ngoa Long mountain ridge. From there, one can indulge in the magnificent natural scenery, not only of Mua Cave but also the entirety of the Trang An landscape. Conquering the somewhat challenging path to the cave’s entrance, especially the rugged stone steps surrounding the Ngoa Long peak, is an adventure in itself.
How to get Mua Cave in Vietnam
There are many ways to make the 110km trip from Hanoi to Mua Cave, Hoa Lu and they are: going there on foot, using a bicycle or your personal car.For those coming from nearby provinces or within a distance of less than 100km from Ninh Binh, travelers can take a bus to Ninh Binh bus station or opt for Limousine services, with ticket prices ranging from 80,000 VND to 140,000 VND. Then, you can either take a taxi or rent a motorbike to get to Mua Cave following Google Maps directions.
Best time to visit
The ideal time to visit Mua Cave is during the ripe rice season (from mid-May to early June), offering the most beautiful scenery. This period coincides with pleasant weather in Mua Cave and Ninh Binh, with gentle sunshine and cool temperatures, perfect for mountain climbing and enjoying the stunning landscapes.Conversely, if you prefer avoiding crowds, you can conquer Mua Cave in the early months of the year or from October to December.
Conclusion
Vietnam’s caves offer not just natural splendor but also historical and cultural significance, making them a prime destination for travelers worldwide. From the breathtaking grandeur of Son Doong to the mystical allure of Sung Sot Cave and the scenic beauty of Mua Cave, each cave promises an unforgettable adventure.Please book a tour with YESD Travel if you’re interested in exploring Ninh Binh or Ha Long Bay.
