Did you know Vietnam Caves are world-famous?
I had no idea that Vietnam was home to the world’s largest cave until I arrived in the country. And since I arrived, I’ve been able to visit several of the most famous caves in Vietnam.
With an amazing blend of natural beauty, compelling history and mythology, Vietnam's incredible cave systems are a must-see on your Vietnam itinerary.
Whether you're an avid underground adventurer seeking your next thrill, or a curious traveler on the hunt for something unique, this blog post is your guide to the best caves in Vietnam to visit.
I’m sharing all the information you need about Vietnam caves including the location, nearest town, how to get there, the best time to visit and the cost.
Hang Sung Sot, Cave in Vietnam
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The most spectacular caves in Vietnam
1. Son Doong Cave
This is the largest cave in the world!
Located in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Hang Son Doong is the world's largest cave. It's a unique and awe-inspiring natural wonder, famous for its enormous underground chambers and underground river, it was formed on the fault line of the oldest karst mountain range in Asia about 400 - 450 million years ago.
Incredibly, a local man discovered the cave in 1990 but then lost the exact location of it. It wasn’t until 2008 that he found it again and in 2009, he led Howard Limbert of the British Cave and Research Association, along with an exploration team into the cave.
Incredibly the colossal cave Son Doong is even bigger than expected with a recent discovery of an underground tunnel linking it to another chamber. It also has the largest cave passage in the world: 9.4km long and as with ceilings from 200m to 503m in some places!
However, do note that this isn't your typical tourist site. Visiting requires a commitment of several days for the expedition through the enormous underground cave, and it's not for the faint-hearted. You'll be trekking, climbing and even swimming at times so anyone choosing to visit Son Doong Cave needs to ensure they're adequately fit and able to carry suitable gear.
The cave is accessible only from February to August due to weather conditions, and permits are limited, so book your tour well in advance.
Currently there is only one approved tour company that is allowed to run expeditions through this UNESCO World Heritage Site - Oxalis Adventure tours - and they’re usually booked up a year in advance for the cave permits and multi-day expeditions. Because of the high risk, extensive preparation and multi-day nature of these tours, it is not cheap to visit Son Doong Cave, approximately £3,000 USD per person. Visit their website for more details.
Location: Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
Best time to visit: February - August
Nearest town: Son Trach town
Cost to visit: $3,000 USD per person / 72 million VND
2. Phong Nha Cave
This cave is part of the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and is known for its intricate limestone caves and the fact that it's accessible by boat.
Also located in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh Province, this cave can be reached by a boat ride up the Son River. No pass is needed, but there is an entrance fee of 250,000 VND ($11 USD). The best time to visit is in the dry season, from February to August and you can get to the cave on tours from he nearest town of Dong Hoi.
Location: Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
Best time to visit: February - August dry season
Nearest town: Dong Hoi
Cost to visit: 250,000 VND
3. Mua Cave
Hang Mua, Mua Caves hike
Located 100km south of Hanoi in Ninh Binh is Mua Cave. It’s a short 1.5 hour journey from Hanoi and can even be visited as a day trip from Hanoi with many tour companies offering day trips there. Alternatively you could hire a private taxi or go by motorbike if you feel confident enough!
Mua Cave is a small chamber at the base of Mua Mountain, however most people visit to climb the 483 steps to the Hang Mua Viewpoint for incredible views of Ninh Binh and Tam Coc. The word 'mua' means 'dancing', and the cave got its name because the local king used to watch dancers perform in this spot.
The best time to visit Mua Cave is during the shoulder seasons of spring (March - May) and autumn (September - November) when the weather is favorable and the landscapes are at their most vibrant. I visited in July and it was sunny and beautiful but extremely hot, about 35C and tackling the almost 500 steps up to the Hang Mua Viewpoint was tough going, especially in the midday heat!
If you do visit in the summer I highly recommend climbing up to the Viewpoint and Hang Mua Pagoda in the early morning or evening. Also make sure you wear good shoes - not flip flops!
The ticket price also includes entrance to the whole complex and the flower fields so I recommend some time exploring.
The cave is also in close proximity to the ancient capital of Hoa Lu and Trang An, so you'll have plenty to explore in the area.
Location: Ninh Binh
Best time to visit: March - May or September - November
Nearest town: Ninh Binh
Cost to visit: 100,000 VND
4. Paradise Cave (Hang Thien Duong)
Another stunning cave in the UNESCO World Heritage Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Paradise Cave is part of the extensive dry caves complex and famous for its intricate stalactites and stalagmites which gave it the nickname “underground palace” and dramatic cathedral-like chambers. The cave itself dates back over 300 million years and is 31km long although most people only venture into the first 1-2km.
Paradise cave is a 20-minute drive from Phong Nha and you can usually find tours that combine Paradise Cave with either Dark Cave or Phong Nha Cave - I’ve shared a couple of well-reviewed tours below. Make sure you pack warm clothes as it’s usually around 10C cooler inside the cave!
These tours usually start from around £60 or you can get an admission ticket just for Paradise Cave which is 250,000 VND.There are electric buggies available for an additional fee to get from the car park to the cave entrance, or you can walk.
Location: Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
Best time to visit: November - March
Nearest town: Dong Hoi
Cost to visit: 250,000 VND or 2.5 million+ for a guided tour experience
5. Hang En Cave
This cave is notable for having one of the world's biggest cave entrances and is often visited as part of multi-day trekking adventures in the Quang Binh region. The cave is around 2-3 million years old and was formed by the Rao Thuong River flowing through the karst mountains and eroding to form the cave.
Hang En requires a pass and guide and as it’s located in the same area as Son Doong Cave, the only licensed tour operator is Oxalis - booking with them here is the only way to visit Hang En, so the price is not cheap, about $330 USD.
The cave is reachable on a one-day hike which passes over Ba Gian Hill and through Ban Doong, home of the Bru Van Kieu people.
Hang En has three entrances, the large entrance is where the famous sunbeams can be seen shining through from December to March.
Tours to Hang En are available between December and September each year.
Location: Phuong Nha National Park
Best time to visit: December - September
Nearest town: Dong Hoi
Cost to visit: $327 USD / 7.6 million VND
6. Dark Cave (Hang Toi)
Also located in Phong Nha and as the name suggests, this wet cave offers a unique adventure where you can explore its dark chambers with a head torch and also enjoy mud baths.
Situated in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, this cave is accessible by boat and requires an entrance fee of 450,000 VND. This fee includes the cave entrance, boat ride into the cave and a ride on the Chay River zipline. The zipline opened in 2014 and is the longest zipline in Vietnam!
You can also do the zipline only for 270,000 VND if the Dark Cave isn’t for you.
With no artificial lighting, the Dark Cave isn’t an excursion for everyone. You will go in with a guide by kayak and the cave is known for its dark, mysterious ambiance and very very muddy mud baths!
Equipped with headlamps, explorers navigate the pitch-black cave, occasionally encountering small bats and other cave-dwelling creatures. Its stalagmites and stalactites are believed to be millions of years old. You will need to wear swimwear for the tour due to the mud but will be supplied with all other relevant safety gear. Read more about the tours here.
The park is open for tours all year round. The best time to visit is during the dry season, from February to August.
Location: Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park
Best time to visit: Dry season
Nearest town: Doing Hoi
Cost to visit: 450,000 VND
7. Tam Coc Caves
Tam Coc, Ninh Binh
Located in Ninh Binh Province, the Tam Coc area is often referred to as "Halong Bay on Land" due to its limestone mountains, limestone caves and karst formations and caves with rivers flowing through and the area is associated with a lot of local legend and folklore.
The area features several caves you can explore by small boat. The small wooden boats leave throughout the day from the Tam Coc Van Lam Pier where you can also buy tickets.
No advance booking or pass is needed but the tickets cost 390,000 VND for two people in one boat. The boat is rowed by a local guides in the way that’s traditional to the region - with their feet!
The best time to visit is in the spring from May to June when it’s not as humid and the rain is less.
Location: Tam Coc
Best time to visit: Spring May-June
Nearest town: Tam Coc or Ninh Binh
Cost to visit: 390,000 VND for two
8. Trang An Caves
Inside Tran An cave waterways
Trang An
Also in Ninh Binh, the Trang An Grottos Landscape Complex is a series of some of the most beautiful caves and grottoes that you can explore by boat while taking in the beautiful scenery.
Often described as an 'outdoor geological museum', Trang An was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2021 and the 30,000 years of history there is seen as you explore the maze of waterways. For this reason, in the 13th century, King Tran Thai Tong used the area as a defensive position as the terrain, caves and maze of waterways made it easy to defeat and attack the Yuan-Mongolian invaders.
Trang An is a picturesque blend of mountains, valleys, caves, pagodas and rivers and you’re able to cruise through caves, get off at islands to visit pagodas and enjoy the beautiful scenery all for a fee of
There are 3 boat routes you can choose from when you buy your ticket and they take 2-3 hours. If you’re visiting in the summer, it gets very hot (as we discovered) and there’s no shade - the boats provide umbrellas but make sure you have plenty of water, sunscreen and cover ups. Despite this, Trang An is absolutely worth visiting - we were blown away by the landscape!
Entrance fee is 250,000 VND per person so it’s more expensive than the similar experience at Tam Coc, although tipping is not expected at Trang An, whereas it is in Tam Coc.
Location: Trang An
Best time to visit: Spring (April-June) or Autumn (October-November)
Nearest town: Ninh Binh
Cost to visit: 250,000 VND per person
9. Hang Sung Sot (Surprise Cave)
Halong Bay Surprise Cave
Situated in Halong Bay, Sung Sot cave is known for its impressive stalactites and stalagmites creating huge columns and a cathedral-like interior with intricate formations that are illuminated for visitors.
This is definitely the busiest cave I’ve visited during our time in Vietnam, mostly because it’s a popular stop for a lot of the Ha Long Bay overnight cruises. This means you follow a set route with your guide when you go into the cave and it definitely feels more commercial, although there’s no doubt that the sheer size of the cave is still so impressive.
There is an entrance fee for the cave, however the cost is usually included in the price of your Halong bay cruise so you don’t need to worry about buying a ticket for the entrance.
The best time to visit is in the spring or autumn, although we visited in the summer which is also the rainy season, we did get lucky with good weather but it was very hot!
Location: Ha Long Bay
Best time to visit: Spring or Autumn
Nearest town: Ha Long
Cost to visit: included with cruise ticket
10. Thien Cung Cave/ Dau Go Cave (Heavenly Palace Cave)
This is another cave in Halong Bay although it’s not as popular as Surprise Cave and you’re more likely to go here as part of a multi-day cruise to Ha Long Bay rather than a 1-night cruise.
Thien Cung or Dau Go cave is located on Dau Go Island and is famous for its colourful lighting and formations resembling mythological figures. It has a narrow entrance and is 25m above the water so it was more “hidden” and not discovered until later. Entrance to the cave is on a jungle-covered path so wear appropriate footwear!
This is another cave which comes with insight into the storytelling culture of Vietnam as it’s said that the cave was once home to the Dragon King.
Most cruises will include your entry fee to the cave within the cruise cost, but if not then tickets are 50,000 VND.
Location: Halong Bay
Best time to visit: Spring or Autumn
Nearest town: Ha Long
Cost to visit: included with cruise ticket or 50,000
11. Ba Be National Park Caves
This national park in northern Vietnam Bac Kan Province contains four main caves:
Puong Cave
Hua Ma Cave
Lo Mo Cave
Na Phoong Cave
Several caves, including Puong Cave, can only be explored by boat on the Nang River.
These caves surround Ba Be Lake - the largest natural freshwater lake in Vietnam. The lake is home to a diverse ecosystem of aquatic and land animals. The caves are home to a number of endemic species, making them a haven for nature lovers and biodiversity researchers.
Trekking, kayaking, biking or fishing, Ba Be National Park is popular with outdoor enthusiasts and kayaking is a popular way to visit many caves which are not accessible by foot or larger boats. You can also bike or hike to Hua Ma Cave and visit the amazing Dau Dang Waterfalls.
There are shuttles from Hanoi to Ba Be National Park available for $15 USD each way, book here. You can visit the park independently which has an entry fee of 45,000 VND. Or you can book excursions such as a 1-day Kayak tour which cost $50-150 USD and include park entry.
Location: Ba Be National Park
Best time to visit: March-October
Nearest town: Bac Kan
Cost to visit: 45,000 VND + any tour costs or equipment rentals
12. Am Phu Cave and Huyen Khong Cave (Marble Mountains)
Marble Mountains, Vietnam
Adding to the list of Vietnam's jaw-dropping caves, Am Phu Cave and Huyen Khong Cave are in the Marble Mountains, located in the coastal city of Da Nang and also a short 20 minute drive from Hoi An.
Both caves are a part of a series of caves within five marble and limestone hills that represent the elements of the universe. You’ll also find Hell Cave, Heaven Cave and Tang Chon Cave as well as several pagodas and viewpoints of the city and coast. Am Phu Cave is the only one accessible from the ground floor entrance, the other caves and pagodas are on the top of the mountain, you can either climb 186 steps to get up there or pay an additional 15,000 VND for the elevator.
The Marble Mountain complex is steeped in Vietnamese mythology with steep steps and caverns representing heave and hell as well as sculptures that represent heaven and hell in grim and often unsettling scenes! THe huge cavernous spaces are made magical by light filtering through holes in the roof at certain times of day, I would recommend midday in Huyen Khong Cave to see the light rays as the sun is highest in the sky.
We saw a lot of people struggling with the steep steps and slippy stone surfaces while wearing flip flops. I highly recommend wearing good shoes with proper grip and support, even if you take the elevator to the top, there’s still lots of steps to access caves and viewpoints once you’re there.
The Am Phu Cave was used during the Vietnam War as a field hospital by Viet Cong soldiers which adds an interesting slice of history to the cave.
To get there, you can take a bus, Grab taxi, or even rent a motorbike from Da Nang or Hoi An.
Location: Marble Mountains
Best time to visit: March-September (spring and summer season)
Nearest town: Da Nang or Hoi An
Cost to visit: 20,000 VND for Am Phu Cave only. 40,000 VND for the full Marble Mountains/ Additional 15,000 VND for the elevator ticket
Vietnam Caves FAQs
Which cave is easiest to visit in Vietnam?
As you can tell from this list, not every cave in Vietnam is easily accessible or suitable for all levels of fitness!
The easiest cave to visit in Vietnam is either Surprise Cave in Ha Long Bay or the caves in the Marble Mountains. These are also more likely to be visited as part of a Vietnam itinerary as Ha Long Bay and Hoi An are popular stops when visiting Vietnam.
What is the name of the famous cave in Vietnam?
The most famous cave in Vietnam is the largest cave in the world - Son Doong Cave. However visiting costs $3,000 USD and a multi-day, strenuous expedition so it’s not for the faint hearted!
Why does Vietnam have so many caves?
The extensive karst and limestone geology make Vietnam an optimum place for caves, grottos and caverns to develop. Many of the biggest caves in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park also lay on the same geological fault line.
What’s the biggest cave in Vietnam?
Son Doong Cave is the biggest cave in Vietnam and in the world!
What is “cave” in Vietnamese?
“Dong” means “cave” in Vietnamese language.
What is the most expensive cave in Vietnam?
The Son Doong Cave is the most expensive cave to visit in Vietnam at $3,000 USD for a multi-day tour on the Son Doong expedition. This is due to the difficult nature of the cave to reach and access and that only one tour operator is licensed to provide expeditions into the cave which requires extensive equipment and safety gear.
Does Vietnam have the largest cave in the world?
Yes, Son Doong Cave is the largest cave in the world, located in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Central Vietnam.
Summary: the most spectacular Vietnam caves
Hopefully this guide has given you enough information about the natural wonders and most well-known caves in Vietnam and which ones might be possible for you to visit on your Vietnam itinerary.
Vietnam really is home to impressive caves and rock formations and these are the top caves in Vietnam that you might want to explore on your trip.
Of course, some are far more accessible than others, while others take specialist guides, gear and training and should not be undertaken lightly. This guide is purely informational and please make your own informed decisions when choosing to explore these caves.
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