Login
Facebook
YouTube
WhatsApp
Twitter
Vietnam is dotted with many caves, each providing a different look into the country’s natural beauty and geological past. Vietnam’s caves are not merely geologic miracles but also sites of great cultural and historical importance. The variety and magnitude of these underground worlds are captivating, from the world’s largest named cave to winding underground rivers. Discovering these popular caves in Vietnam offers adventurers unforgettable moments, revealing the secret treasures underneath Vietnam’s lush landscapes. Exploring these caves not only showcases breathtaking rock formations and hidden ecosystems but also provides insight into Vietnam’s rich folklore, ancient legends, and historical significance.
Top 10 Caves In Vietnam
Vietnam is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking caves, from the colossal Son Doong to the stunningly illuminated Paradise Cave. Discover nature’s wonders!
1. Sơn Đoòng Cave
Photo: Dave Bunnell / Wikimedia Commons
Sơn Đoòng Cave is the largest natural cave ever discovered in the world, found in Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park. Found in 1991 by a local farmer and further discovered in 2009, this cave has huge stalagmites, rivers within the cave, and even an ecosystem with jungles and clouds. The cave is more than 5 kilometres long and contains chambers that are 200 metres high, wide enough to accommodate skyscrapers. This tour involves jungle trekking, river traversing, and camping within the cave.
Location: Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, Quảng Bình Province
Entry Fees: Approx. $3,000 USD / ₹2,49,000 for a 4-day expedition
Timing: Tours operate from February to August
2. Phong Nha Cave
Photo: Andre Hospers / Wikimedia Commons
Phong Nha Cave is Vietnam’s most popular cave, celebrated for its subterranean river system, dramatic rock formations, and vast historical significance. The cave is located within Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stretching 7.7 kilometres, just 1.5 kilometres are accessible to tourists, who can tour the cave by boat. Within, tourists are awed by stunning stalactites and stalagmites formed over millions of years. The cave was a refuge during the Vietnam War, adding historical value to its natural attractions.
Location: Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, Quảng Bình Province
Entry Fees: 150,000 VND / ₹525
Timing: 7:30 AM – 4 PM daily
3. Paradise Cave / Thiên Đường Cave
Photo: Kishan Rahul Jose / Pexels
Discovered in 2005, Paradise Cave is considered one of Vietnam’s most stunning caves because of its spectacular stalactite and stalagmite structures. It is 31 kilometres long, making it one of Asia’s longest dry caves. The initial 1 kilometre is available for public access through a well-maintained wooden pathway. The high ceiling of the cave and the elaborate limestone formations produce an otherworldly ambience. In the cave, unusual structures shaped like waterfalls, pagodas, and mythical beasts are naturally created through mineral deposits.
Location: Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, Quảng Bình Province
Entry Fees: 250,000 VND / ₹850
Timing: 7 AM – 5 PM daily
4. Hang Én Cave
Photo: Jérémie B. / Wikimedia Commons
Hang Én Cave, meaning “Swallow Cave,” is the world’s third-largest cave and a favourite of trekkers. The cave has a large entrance, rivers below ground level, and sandy camping grounds, making it the most significant of the caves in Vietnam for tourists looking for adventure. The walk to Hang Én is a two-day excursion into dense forest, river fording, and isolated villages, offering a real experience of unspoiled wilderness in Vietnam. Thousands of swallows inhabit the cave, hence the name.
Location: Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng / National Park, Quảng Bình Province
Entry Fees: Approx. $330 USD / ₹27,390 for a 2-day guided trek
Timing: Tours operate year-round
5. Sung Sot Cave / Surprise Cave
Photo: Greg Willis / Wikimedia Commons
The Sung Sot Cave is popular in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam’s most well-known, with massive limestone structures and huge chambers. The cave comprises two principal compartments, with the first containing a narrow entrance, resulting in an overwhelmingly large second compartment resembling a palatial hall. The stalactites inside the cave resemble animals, people, and legendary creatures, making it a fascinating place to explore. The cave is well-lit, allowing visitors to admire the intricate formations while walking along a designated path.
Location: Ha Long Bay, Quảng Ninh Province
Entry Fees: Included in Ha Long Bay boat tours (approx. $20-$50 / ₹1,660-₹4,150 USD)
Timing: 8 AM – 5 PM daily
6. Tam Coc Caves
Photo: Ji-Elle / Wikimedia Commons
Tam Coc Caves, located in Ninh Binh, are a unique cave system best explored by a scenic boat ride through limestone karst formations and tranquil waterways. These caves are part of the Tam Coc-Bich Dong area, which lies within the UNESCO-listed Trang An Landscape Complex. Visitors navigate through three naturally formed limestone caves, shaped by millions of years of erosion, using traditional rowing boats. While smaller than many other caves in Vietnam, Tam Coc’s breathtaking surroundings—featuring rice paddies, towering karst hills, and winding rivers.
Location: Ninh Binh Province
Entry Fees: 250,000 VND / ₹850 for boat tour
Timing: 6 AM – 6 PM daily
7. Dau Go Cave
Photo: Mustang Joe / Wikimedia Commons
Dau Go Cave in Ha Long Bay is one of the most popular caves in Vietnam. The cave is renowned for its majestic stalactites and stalagmites, which are animal-like, historical, and mythological. “Dau Go” translates to “Wooden Stakes,” named after a mythic battle in which General Tran Hung Dao deployed wooden stakes in the river to repel Mongol invaders. The cave is sectioned into three principal chambers, each providing stunning vistas of limestone formations lit by multicoloured lights.
Location: Ha Long Bay, Quảng Ninh Province
Entry Fees: Included in HaLong Bay tour packages (approx. $20-$50 USD / ₹1,660-₹4,150)
Timing: 8 AM – 5 PM daily
8. Tu Lan Cave System
Photo: Bbbaongoc / Wikimedia Commons
The Tu Lan Cave System is a group of over 10 caves close to Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park. The system is famous for its subterranean rivers, waterfalls, and enormous caverns, making it one of Vietnam’s most thrilling caves to visit. Tourists can swim along rivers within the caves, hike through jungles, and camp overnight in the wild. The Tu Lan caves became globally recognised after being highlighted in “Kong: Skull Island.” The excursions to Tu Lan vary from one-day discovery to multi-day expeditions, making it one of the premier destinations for adventurers.
Location: Quảng Bình Province, near Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park
Entry Fees: From $80 to $400 USD / ₹6,640-₹33,200, depending on tour duration
Timing: Guided tours available year-round
9. Hang Va Cave
Photo: Bùi Thế Tâm / Wikimedia Commons
Hang Va Cave is a hidden gem among the famous caves in Vietnam, located in Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park. What makes this cave unique is its cone-shaped stalagmites, which are extremely rare and found in very few caves worldwide. The cave features an underground river, and exploring it requires swimming, climbing, and navigating through water-filled passages. The adventure to Hang Va involves a jungle trek, river crossings, and camping in the wild, offering a true off-the-beaten-path experience.
Location: Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, Quảng Bình Province
Entry Fees: $330 USD / ₹27,390 for a 2-day guided tour
Timing: Tours operate from February to August
10. Nguom Ngao Cave
Photo: Adam Jones / Wikimedia Commons
Located in Cao Bang Province, Nguom Ngao Cave is one of the most important caves in Vietnam due to its unique limestone formations and proximity to Ban Gioc Waterfall, the largest waterfall in Vietnam. The cave stretches nearly 2.2 kilometres, with a section open to tourists showcasing massive stalactites, hidden chambers, and underground streams. The cave’s interior is well-lit, allowing visitors to admire the incredible rock formations resembling dragons, lotus flowers, and giant pillars.
Location: Trùng Khánh District, Cao Bang Province
Entry Fees: 40,000 VND / ₹140
Timing: 8 AM – 5 PM daily
Vietnam is home to some of the most breathtaking caves in the world, each offering a unique adventure. Whether you’re looking for famous caves in Vietnam like Sơn Đoòng and Phong Nha or hidden gems like Hang Va and Nguom Ngao, there is something for every explorer. Some caves, like Tu Lan and Hang Én, offer extreme adventure experiences, while others, like Tam Coc and Dau Go, provide relaxing boat rides through stunning limestone landscapes. Book your tour now to these caves in Vietnam with TripXL for a fun-filled adventure.
Cover Photo: Anass Sedrati / Wikimedia Commons
