Vietnam's Caves

Phong Nha National Park has enormous caves, including the largest-known cave on the planet, Son Doong Cave. Discovered in 1991, by a local who dared not venture inside, the cave wasn’t fully explored until 20 years later. At more than 3 miles (5 km) long, 656 feet (200 m) high and 49 feet (15 m) wide, it is the largest known cave passage in the world.

Wandering through the vast caverns of Thien Duong Cave, it isn’t difficult to see how it earned the moniker of “Paradise Cave.” Unique stalactites and stalagmites embellish every surface in a rainbow of hues, some gigantic and some tiny. Complicated towers reach up to the ceiling and rimstone pools form terraces along the cave floor. Thien Duong Cave is a true marvel of nature.

One of the highlights of visiting beautiful Ninh Binh is to take a boat ride along the slow-moving rivers that cut through the iconic jungle-clad mountains. There are a few options for enjoying the foot peddled journey, and one of the most popular is along the Ngo Dong River, through the Tam Coc river caves.

Each of the caves surrounding Halong Bay has its own creative nickname, and Thien Cung Cave has taken the celestial title of Heaven Cave. It isn’t hard to see why. Cave exploration is an integral part of a visit to the unique limestone karsts of Halong Bay and Thien Cung Cave is certainly one of the most impressive.

Trang An Cave System is a series of 9 caves that you can paddle through on a boating trip down Sao Khe River. This is one of the many limestone formations that make Ninh Binh’s scenery so memorable. Enormous karst formations rise on either side of the river, and scenic rice paddies sprout along the banks.

Phong Nha Cave is the most popular of over 300 caves and grottoes permeating the rugged landscape of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. It was first discovered in the 16th century by local Cham people and was the first cave to be opened to tourists in 1995. Its magical river entrance, dripping stalactite ceilings and historic importance during the Vietnam War have enchanted visitors ever since.

Dubbed the most famous cave in Halong Bay, Sung Sot Cave also goes by another name: Surprise Cave. In fact, Sung Sot is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Located 98 feet (30 m) above the glistening emerald waters of the bay, the views both inside and outside the cave are mesmerizing.

The Tu Lan Cave system is an intricate web of 10 caves amidst dense jungle, rocky mountain slopes, and underground rivers. A journey here is an epic adventure into Vietnam’s wild interior, far off the beaten path.