9 Epic Caves in Vietnam That Every Trekker Must Explore (2025)

Attention to every nature lover and every novice explorer, from caving aficionados to the simply curious: the land of the Dragon is where you put down your luggage to discover the thousand and one wonders of nature it possesses. Indeed, Vietnam possesses gigantic caves that will furnish an impressive demonstration of raw beauty interspersed with light effects. Numerous sites are home to splendid treasures of nature for exploration. In this article, we are glad to present you with an exhibition of famous caves that are truly worth a visit in Vietnam.

Written by Oliver PHUNG (Local expert)Updated on 24-02-2025

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Table of contents

Son Doong, the Largest Cave in the World
Phong Nha Cave
Thien Duong Cave (Paradise Cave)
Hang Toi (Dark Cave)
Hang En (Swallow Cave)
Caves in Halong Bay
The Caves of Tam Cốc
Tu Lan Cave System
Nguom Ngao Cave
Tips for Visiting Caves in Vietnam

Son Doong, the Largest Cave in the World

Son Doong is regarded as the world's biggest cave, which is located in Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, Quảng Bình province, Vietnam. It measures 5 kilometers long, 200 meters high, and 150 meters wide and is so massive that it comprises a whole inner jungle microclimate and impressive geological formations. It is even said that 40-storey skyscrapers could be housed there!

Son Doong was discovered in 1991 by a local named Hồ Khanh but was only recognized as the biggest underground gallery in the world in 2010 when it was officially explored by speleologists from the United Kingdom. As remarkable as the site itself is its age: the karst that constitutes the park dates back more than 400 million years, making this cave a true jewel of nature.

Son Doong is highly preserved, and only a few selected visitors get to visit it each year. Expeditions are exclusively organized by the Oxalis company in cooperation with the British Cave Research Association, limited to six to ten people per group and only available during the dry season. The journey lasts about five days and four nights at a cost of approximately $3,000 USD. It is said that fewer people have been to Son Doong than the number of mountaineers who have conquered Mount Everest.

Inside, the view is magnificent: from the ceiling tower, huge artistic stalagmites rise, while graceful stalactites descend. At times, it boasts an atmosphere with heavy fog, reminiscent of the dream of a forgotten world. A truly hidden treasure untouched by the influx of tourists.

Phong Nha Cave

Phong Nha Ke Bang Cave, nicknamed 'Nam Thiên Đệ Nhất Động', means 'the most beautiful cave in Vietnam' and is a cave reachable by a small boat carrying only about 20 people because it is crossed by an underground river. Tourists can go rowing into the cave and walk partially before taking a short stopover. Before re-embarking to go to the city, it is possible to climb the stairs on the mountainside that lead to a 'dry' cave called Tiên Sơn. Phong Nha Cave speaks for itself, formed about 250 million years ago and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003, more particularly because of its stalactites and stalagmites found there.

Phong Nha Cave, despite being the most frequented of all caves in Vietnam, is not new to discoveries; the Cham used this cave system as early as the 9th and 10th centuries, mostly as Hindu shrines. One can still see remains of ancient altars and even thousand-year-old inscriptions if they look closely at the walls. The shrines are still very respected today by Vietnamese Buddhists.

>>>Discover more: Phong Nha Ke Bang, caves and an exceptional ecotourism destination

Thien Duong Cave (Paradise Cave)

Discovered in 2005 by the explorers of the British Speleological Association, it received the name 'the cave of paradise' in recognition of its unique beauty. Formed some 400 million years ago, the charm of Vietnam's Thien Duong Cave lies in its magnificent stalactites and stalagmites, which are so diverse in shapes and colors. There are two ways one can visit the cave. The first is to walk a kilometer through a network of bright wooden stairs, or the second is a night trip, a seven-kilometer-long hike. Given that Thien Duong Cave is easy on the eye, it is considered to be the longest dry cave found in Asia, with an entire 36 km of living space.

Hang Toi (Dark Cave)

Hang Tối Cave is nothing short of unique in Vietnam, and a visit here is one that will give you an experience like no other. For people in search of something original and different, this is the best option since the cave can be visited along an 'adventure' course that features the longest zipline in Vietnam.

For adventure and thrill seekers, the discovery of Hang Tối can prove to be more enticing than that of Paradise Cave since the site is completely natural and dark, and one has to visit while carrying a headlamp. Barefoot, you will venture into the mud before shedding a few yards further by doing a few lengths in the waters of the river. Thereafter, once well and truly on board the kayak, it's a matter of making your way through a small obstacle course to return to dry land.

Hang En (Swallow Cave)

The huge cave takes its name from the birds that fly inside: 'Én' means swallow in Vietnamese. Hang Én Cave is the second-largest cave in Vietnam and the third-largest cave in the world. It is more than 2 kilometers long and has three entrances, the most well-known and largest of which is more than 120 meters high and 140 meters wide.

The British cavers first explored Hang Én in 1994, although its location had long been known to the locals as a shelter from bad weather.

>>> Read More: 6 Most Majestic Trekking Spots in Vietnam

Caves in Halong Bay

While Halong Bay is best known for its crystal-clear waters and splendid karst peaks, it also has some amazing caves that are accessible to the general public. Visiting these caves is usually included in junk tour packages but may vary depending on the routes and parts of the bay visited. There are a multitude of caves in Halong (59 listed to date), most of which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List, as is the bay, which has been listed since 1994.

The most visited is Sung Sot Cave, also called the Cave of Surprises. Located on Bo Hon Island in Ha Long Bay, the cave was first discovered in 1901 by French explorers. Many other caves are worth a look, such as Thien Cung (Celestial Palace), Dau Go (Pieces of Wood), Bo Nau (Pelican), and Me Cung (Labyrinth).

The Caves of Tam Cốc

It is not advisable to miss the wonderful place called Tam Cốc if you are land-bound on the side of Halong Bay. It is in the northern part of Ninh Binh province and is a worthy travel destination with all the caves that can be explored in Vietnam. Tam Cốc, which literally means 'three caves,' consists of a collection of three caves, including Hang Cả, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba, that can be enjoyed while relaxing on a boat from Văn Lâm village. Like everything that happens here in Ninh Bình, the rowers paddle with their feet and take you on a lovely ride for several hours to the soft lapping of the waters while enjoying the view of the three caves.

>>> Continue Reading: Don't Visit Tam Coc, Vietnam Without Knowing These 10 Basics

Tu Lan Cave System

It's a system comprising a dozen caves, all quite different and particular in their own respect. If these caves in Vietnam ring a bell, it might be because of the scenes filmed at this location in the blockbuster Kong: Skull Island, released by America in 2017.

Tu Lan Cave System is found within Quang Binh Province, about 70 kilometers from Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park. It is indeed one of those rare places that actually offer camping alongside lakes and waterfalls, courtesy of organized tours. Nevertheless, one should be very fit to hike to Tu Lan, as the trek typically involves deep forest penetration, some very well-equipped stream crossings, and the terrain is quite rough at times.

Nguom Ngao Cave

Named 'Tiger Cave' in the language of the Tay, Nguom Ngao Cave is said to have housed a tract of ferocious tigers who preyed on cattle and humans from the nearby village. Other versions attribute the name to a stream flowing into the cave, the sound of which resembled tiger roars. Nguom Ngao Cave is considered to be one of the prettiest caves in Vietnam and was discovered in 1921 and opened to the public in 1996. The cave lies not far from the famous Ban Gioc Falls in the mountains in the northeast of the country.

In terms of tourism, the 2,100-meter-long cave mostly remains unexplored, with only 1,000 meters being open to the public. There are three entrances to the cave, and visitors may witness many stunning areas, such as the 'Four Celestial Columns', famous for holding impressive pillars, or the 'Jewels,' named for their glittering stalactites and stalagmites, and so on. The stalactites and stalagmites of Nguom Ngao Cave have colors that are remarkably different from those in other caves, as the stone calcium contains many impurities.

Tips for Visiting Caves in Vietnam

Remember to be well-equipped if you plan on going on an adventure. The right shoes and clothes make the difference between having great equipment and poor equipment.
Of course, bring some accessories, such as a flashlight, although this kind of gear is generally provided during guided tours.
Don't take anything of great value for fear of losing it and never finding it again. Instead, if you must take something, just take a small bottle of water.