<strong>7 of the best caves in Vietnam: </strong>"Vietnam has some of the best caves in this world," Howard Limbert, technical advisor of Quang Binh-based Oxalis adventure tour company, tells CNN Travel. Among these are the stunning Tu Lan Cave System, pictured.
7 of the best caves in Vietnam: "Vietnam has some of the best caves in this world," Howard Limbert, technical advisor of Quang Binh-based Oxalis adventure tour company, tells CNN Travel. Among these are the stunning Tu Lan Cave System, pictured.
courtesy Oxalis Adventure
<strong>Hang Son Doong: </strong>Said to be the largest cave in the world, Son Doong currently stretches across 38.5 million cubic meters (about 1.35 billion cubic feet). It's so big, there's even a jungle growing inside.
Hang Son Doong: Said to be the largest cave in the world, Son Doong currently stretches across 38.5 million cubic meters (about 1.35 billion cubic feet). It's so big, there's even a jungle growing inside.
Alesha Bradford
<strong>Hang En: </strong>Oxalis, in partnership with the British Cave Research Association, has exclusive access to Hang Son Doong, bringing small groups of six to 10 people on four day-treks treks during dry season from January to August every year. The group sets up camp inside nearby Hang En Cave (the third largest in Vietnam) where you can swim in underground rivers and refuel with Vietnamese cuisine.
Hang En: Oxalis, in partnership with the British Cave Research Association, has exclusive access to Hang Son Doong, bringing small groups of six to 10 people on four day-treks treks during dry season from January to August every year. The group sets up camp inside nearby Hang En Cave (the third largest in Vietnam) where you can swim in underground rivers and refuel with Vietnamese cuisine.
Alesha Bradford
<strong>Tu Lan Cave System: </strong>Comprising more than 10 caves in Quang Binh province, the Tu Lan Cave System has skyrocketed in popularity since starring in 2017 blockbuster "Kong: Skull Island."
Tu Lan Cave System: Comprising more than 10 caves in Quang Binh province, the Tu Lan Cave System has skyrocketed in popularity since starring in 2017 blockbuster "Kong: Skull Island."
courtesy Oxalis Adventure/Ryan Deboodt
<strong>Tu Lan Cave System: </strong>"A lot of people come because of the movie, but they find that the scenery is even more beautiful than they imagined," says Limbert.
Tu Lan Cave System: "A lot of people come because of the movie, but they find that the scenery is even more beautiful than they imagined," says Limbert.
courtesy Oxalis Adventure
<strong>Hang Tien: </strong>Within Tu Lan, one of the most popular excursions is the two-day tour through Hang Tien (or the Cave of Fairies) -- named after the enchanting rock formations and magical swirling patterns on the limestone walls.
Hang Tien: Within Tu Lan, one of the most popular excursions is the two-day tour through Hang Tien (or the Cave of Fairies) -- named after the enchanting rock formations and magical swirling patterns on the limestone walls.
courtesy Oxalis Adventure/Ryan Deboodt
<strong>Hang Tien: </strong>Crossing through two caves (Hang Tien 1 and Hang Tien 2), the tour takes travelers on a jungle trek before dipping into the enormous, dry caves, which are a combined 5.5 kilometers long and 100 meters tall at their peak.
Hang Tien: Crossing through two caves (Hang Tien 1 and Hang Tien 2), the tour takes travelers on a jungle trek before dipping into the enormous, dry caves, which are a combined 5.5 kilometers long and 100 meters tall at their peak.
courtesy Oxalis Adventure/Ryan Deboodt
<strong>Hang Va & Hang Nuoc Nut: </strong>A two-in-one combo, Oxalis also offers two-day tours of Hang Va & Nuoc Nut caves.
Hang Va & Hang Nuoc Nut: A two-in-one combo, Oxalis also offers two-day tours of Hang Va & Nuoc Nut caves.
courtesy Oxalis Adventures/Ryan Deboodt
<strong>Hang Nuoc Nut: </strong>While more accessible than Son Doong, the cave expedition is still an adventure filled with plenty of opportunities to hike through thick jungle foliage, climb over rocks, traverse subterranean rivers and admire surreal stalactites and stalagmites.
Hang Nuoc Nut: While more accessible than Son Doong, the cave expedition is still an adventure filled with plenty of opportunities to hike through thick jungle foliage, climb over rocks, traverse subterranean rivers and admire surreal stalactites and stalagmites.
courtesy Oxalis Adventures/Ryan Deboodt
<strong>Hang Va:</strong> A 100-meter swim through the river passage connects you to the entrance of Hang Va cave, known for its extraordinary stalagmite field.
Hang Va: A 100-meter swim through the river passage connects you to the entrance of Hang Va cave, known for its extraordinary stalagmite field.
courtesy Oxalis Adventure
<strong>Halong Bay: </strong>Halong Bay might be best known for its thousands of limestone islands, rising out of the water. But there are also lots of caves too -- at least 59 listed to date.
Halong Bay: Halong Bay might be best known for its thousands of limestone islands, rising out of the water. But there are also lots of caves too -- at least 59 listed to date.
courtesy Vietnam Tourism Board/Christian Berg
<strong>Sung Sot:</strong> Located on Bo Hon Island within Halong Bay, Sung Sot -- also known as Surprise Cave -- was first discovered in 1901 by French explorers.
Sung Sot: Located on Bo Hon Island within Halong Bay, Sung Sot -- also known as Surprise Cave -- was first discovered in 1901 by French explorers.
courtesy Vietnam Tourism Board/Christian Berg
<strong>Trang An: </strong>Beyond the popular Quang Binh province lies the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex Located in the northern Ninh Bình Province, it's another place to find beautiful caves.
Trang An: Beyond the popular Quang Binh province lies the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex Located in the northern Ninh Bình Province, it's another place to find beautiful caves.
courtesy Vietnam Tourism Board/Christian Berg
<strong>Tam Coc: </strong>Trang An highlights include Tam Coc, meaning "three caves." This trio of caves -- Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba -- can all be accessed on a rowboat tour starting from Van Lam village.
Tam Coc: Trang An highlights include Tam Coc, meaning "three caves." This trio of caves -- Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba -- can all be accessed on a rowboat tour starting from Van Lam village.
courtesy Vietnam Tourism Board/Christian Berg