Top 9 Most Incredible Caves in Vietnam You Can't Miss

Son Doong Cave was discovered in 1991 by a local man named Ho Khanh, who stumbled upon it while seeking shelter from the rain. It wasn't until 2009, when the British Cave Research Association (BCRA) expedition visited the site, that Ho Khanh had the opportunity to inform them about the cave's existence. Locating the cave was challenging, hidden deep in the primeval forest with treacherous terrain, remote and notably absent on Google Earth. Guided by Ho Khanh, they ventured into the cave, measured, photographed, and collected scientific data. Son Doong Cave has been recognized as a world heritage site with outstanding features: the largest natural cave, a unique interior environment with a pristine forest, an underground river, and its own microclimate.

Son Doong Cave is part of the cave system in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh Province, and is one of the most beautifully renowned caves in Vietnam. Discovered in 1991 by a local resident, in 2009, Son Doong Cave was explored and researched by the British Royal Caving Association, leading to its exploitation and utilization of its value. Visitors to this cave will marvel at the incredible natural formations. Inside the cave, there are areas likened to a heavenly garden with gigantic limestone walls, collections of thousands of years old 'pearls.' Additionally, the cave houses a 2.7 km-long underground river and towering limestone columns up to 70m in height, vast coral reefs, and numerous fossilized animal remains. The cave also features two locations known as 'skylights' where the cave ceiling collapsed, allowing light to shine in, creating favorable conditions for the growth of a tropical forest within the cave. These unique features have made Son Doong Cave increasingly appealing, attracting tourists from around the world.

Explore the majesty of Phong Nha - Ke Bang Cave, nestled in the limestone mountains of Bo Trach District, Quang Binh Province. One cannot help but be impressed by the Vom Cave - the longest water cave spanning an impressive 28km. Within the Phong Nha - Ke Bang limestone block, the Vom Cave system is notably extensive, beginning with the Ruc Ca Roong Cave at an elevation of about 360m above sea level, stretching from the South to the North. The cave entrance boasts a width of 20-25m and a height of 10m, resembling a large bowl inverted on the water's surface, allowing boats to pass through effortlessly. This is also the nexus of light when the boat glides on the serene and reflective river surface, gradually entering darkness to explore the mystical wonders. The submerged rock formations inside the cave, naturally shaped like lions, unicorns, statues of Buddha, palaces, and altars, present a unique feature that intrigues visitors to guess their natural forms and names.

To tour and comprehend this cave, you can only use a boat to venture deep inside. Upon entering the cave, you'll feel a cool breeze enveloping you, in stark contrast to the scorching heat outside. The deeper you go, the dimmer the light becomes, eventually fading away, revealing a world adorned with sparkling and multicolored stalactites and stalagmites. Phong Nha - Ke Bang showcases distinctive rock formations named after imagined shapes like Lion, Unicorn, Palace, or Buddha Statue. Furthermore, it features stalactite blocks resembling giant teeth of a mythical giant. Additionally, you can explore other beautiful caves within Quang Binh's cave system, such as Tien Son Cave and Thien Duong Cave nearby. Phong Nha - Ke Bang promises to be a travel destination offering you the most relaxing and wonderful experiences!

Tam Coc Bich Dong, also known as the 'Halong Bay on Land' or the 'Second Most Beautiful Cave in the South,' thanks to its enchanting natural beauty. Tam Coc - Bich Dong tourist area covers an area of 350.3 hectares, located 2km from National Highway 1A, 7km from Ninh Binh city, mostly in Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, part of the scenic Trang An - Tam Coc complex, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Throughout the ages, with its picturesque landscapes, Tam Coc - Bich Dong has always been an attractive and famous destination for both domestic and international tourists. This cave system belongs to the Ngu Nhac Son mountain range, about 7 km south of Ninh Binh, including three caves: Ca Cave, Hai Cave, and Ba Cave. The first moment visitors experience here is a boat ride on the Ngo Dong River, enjoying the magnificent natural scenery.

Deep inside the caves, you'll feel like entering a new and unfamiliar world. While there's no sunlight shining in, it still sparkles with enchanting beauty. First is Ca Cave, with a length of 127m traversing a large mountain, the air inside is cool and fresh, making everyone feel incredibly comfortable. The cave is adorned with numerous stalactites hanging down, displaying a myriad of different shapes, allowing your imagination to soar. Next, you'll come to Hai Cave, which is shorter, about 60m. Inside the cave, there are stalactites resembling long clouds and beautiful small droplet-shaped stalactites. Lastly, you'll reach Ba Cave, the smallest cave, with a smooth ceiling containing fewer stalactites, polished as if it has been meticulously carved. Tam Coc Bich Dong not only boasts stunning natural scenery but also houses valuable artifacts like stone dragons and unique rocks that, when touched, produce sounds reminiscent of musical instruments, delighting visitors.

True to its name, this cave will bring visitors a sense of awe, surprise, and amazement with its unparalleled beauty. Surprising Cave is one of the most famous caves in the core area of Halong Bay, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. This cave is located on Bo Hon Island, along with Luon Cave and Virgin Cave. Situated on Bo Hon Island in Quang Ninh province, it is one of the widest and most beautiful caves in the World Heritage Site of Halong Bay. To reach this cave, you will navigate through the lush green foliage, stepping on the rocky steps, feeling like you're both climbing a mountain and wandering in a dreamy meadow. The name Surprising Cave comes from the fact that, at first glance, the cave seems small. Still, as you venture deeper, visitors cannot help but be amazed by the vast and incredibly beautiful space inside.

Surprising Cave consists of two main chambers, so spacious that it can accommodate thousands of visitors. Above the cave floor and on the ceiling of the first chamber, countless stalactite blocks with surreal shapes stimulate human curiosity and imagination. When you arrive at the second chamber, you'll be pleasantly surprised by a bright, dazzling light, as if entering a fairyland. Here, instead of stalactites, there is a 'royal garden' so beautiful it will take your breath away. With crystal-clear ponds, diverse flora, and native birds... Everything is pristine and magnificent, making visitors feel like they've stepped into a fairy-tale world. This place has many nooks and crannies, 'hidden secrets' that you'll surely want to explore rather than just listen to us tell you about them! It will be even more enjoyable if you and your friends or family together try to guess and imagine the various shapes of the rocks here. Thanks to these elements, Surprising Cave is increasingly attracting many visitors for exploration, study, and appreciation.

Perfume Pagoda Cave has long been a familiar name to travelers far and wide, also known as the 'Southern first cave'. Nestled in the scenic area of Huong Son, My Duc (Hanoi) amidst endless mountain clouds, the cave gives visitors a tranquil feeling every time they stop by. Right from the first steps to Perfume Pagoda Cave, you will be impressed by the shape of the cave entrance - resembling a wide-open dragon's jaw. To descend into the cave, you will have to face a challenge of crossing 100 stone steps surrounded by mountains and forests. Once inside the cave, you will see a statue of the Goddess of Mercy made of green stone along with hundreds of thousands of sparkling and shimmering stalactites...

On the ceiling of Perfume Pagoda Cave, there is a special feature: a stalactite formation hanging down resembling nine dragons playing with a pearl-shaped stalactite block on the cave floor, named 'Cu Long Tranh Chau'. The best time to visit is probably in March each year because at this time, it is surrounded by a misty haze creating a captivating, both pristine and sacred beauty. In addition to what nature has bestowed on Perfume Pagoda Cave, there are also many human-made features such as the finely carved stone lotus pedestal, the four corners of the pedestal with four figures raising their arms high as if supporting the pedestal. This stone pedestal was crafted by two concubines of the Le-Trinh dynasty - a testament to their virtue, though the exact date is not recorded, only their honorable names.

Wooden Head Cave possesses a very wild and simple beauty, preserving the most unique natural features. Located on Wooden Head Island in the Halong Bay area, Quang Ninh Province, the cave has three main chambers, each space with a characteristic color. Wooden Head Cave is about 5000m2 wide, situated at an altitude of 27m above sea level. Wooden Head Cave: Amidst the picturesque landscape of Halong Bay, there lies a cave with a very simple and folkloric name: Wooden Head Cave. The cave is located on Wooden Head Island, adjacent to Thien Cung Cave. From a distance, the cave entrance has a blue color resembling a sea turtle, and after climbing 90 stone steps, you reach the cave entrance. The cave's ceiling is about 25m high, and from above, hundreds of giant stalactites hang down like a peculiar waterfall...

The cave is divided into three main sections. The outer section has a rolling vault overflowing with natural light, and the cave ceiling is a giant 'oil painting,' depicting the pristine natural scenery with rocky forests and multicolored stalactites forming various strange shapes depending on the rich imagination of each person.

In the first section, you will be able to admire a giant and interesting light painting thanks to the natural light penetrating the vault combined with multicolored stalactites, creating a dazzling and magical effect. The shapes formed by the stalactites here have both familiar and strange appearances, making you think of animals like elephants, turtles, lions, etc. In the second section, the brightness decreases, giving the viewer a sense of mysterious 'stone flower clusters' appearing intermittently. In the last section, another space opens up, making you overwhelmed by the beauty of the 'fairy well' with clear water all four seasons, various-shaped stones... Besides, Wooden Head Cave also has many towering stone columns and pillars, reaching straight up, creating an ancient, primitive, and secluded architectural complex that helps people get close to nature, return to a peaceful and tranquil space.

Hà Tiên city, located in the Northwest of Kiên Giang province, is one of the charming destinations attracting numerous tourists with its poetic and friendly beauty. This border area in the extreme South of the country gathers many prominent landmarks in the Mekong Delta region. Stone Cave is one of the 'Ha Tien ten scenes,' holding mysterious and fascinating stories that always stimulate the curiosity of visitors from near and far. In 1989, this scenic spot was classified as a National Heritage Site. Stone Cave is a limestone block about 50 meters high, located in the border area of Mỹ Đức commune, about 4 km from the city center of Ha Tien. Because it is situated next to National Highway 80 and only about 3 km from the Cambodian border, this place is very convenient for combined sightseeing and exploration. Standing from a distance along National Highway 80, Stone Cave protrudes like the head of a majestic general facing the sea. Looking from the border, the Thạch Động mountain area appears peacefully green with forests, below the mountain are simple and humble houses, and in the distance are ripe golden rice fields along with scattered palm trees.

All of this creates the pristine beauty of Stone Cave, bearing a characteristic charm of Ha Tien. Stone Cave is also called Thạch Động thôn vân, meaning the cave that swallows clouds. In the early morning, fluffy white clouds float over the cave's peak and are then stopped by the 50-meter-high rock wall. The clouds pause and slowly spread around the cave entrance, creating an image as if the cave's mouth is swallowing the clouds. Inside the cave is the Tiên Sơn Pagoda dedicated to Buddha Sakyamuni and Quan The Am Bodhisattva. From Tiên Sơn Pagoda, visitors can explore Stone Cave through various paths. Inside the cave, there are many stalactites and rock formations with strange and delightful shapes dating back thousands of years. If you stand right at the cave entrance and look up, you will feel like you are standing at the foot of an eagle preparing to soar. A truly wonderful feeling. So, why hesitate? Come here and experience this fascinating sensation for yourself!

Adding another cave system to Quang Binh's collection, located in Tan Hoa hamlet, Minh Hoa district. The Tú Làn Cave System comprises a total of 12 caves, discovered in 2009. In 2012, an additional 4 valleys were found, enhancing the richness of this place. The Tú Làn Cave System includes the main cave, Tú Làn, and subsidiary caves, including Song, Ươi, Chuột, Ken, and Tổ Mộ caves. Nestled within the limestone mountains, Tú Làn boasts pristine beauty, hiding many mysteries of majestic nature. Similar to other limestone caves, it features a stalactite system with countless diverse shapes and colors. Particularly, Tú Làn Cave has competing stalactite blocks on the cave walls, and amidst the cave floor, there are three stone columns standing upright with a diameter of over one meter. However, to admire this mysterious beauty, visitors must traverse rugged mountainous paths, cross deep forests, navigate through streams, valleys, and even swim across cold rivers.

To explore the Tú Làn Cave System, tourists will journey through magnificent landscapes; traverse lush green fields and valleys; conquer dense tropical forests, steep slopes, or swim across underground rivers. The image of Tú Làn in the eyes of both domestic and international tourists is poetic, peaceful, yet equally majestic, comparable to other world-famous landmarks. Thanks to its rare beauty, Tú Làn was chosen as the filming location for Skull Island, a Hollywood blockbuster directed by the renowned Jordan Vogt-Roberts. Currently, there are many Tú Làn tour packages known as one of the captivating cave exploration activities in Quang Binh, where tourists experience trekking through forests, stream wading, exploring valleys, cave adventures, and camping amidst the picturesque nature. This is especially appealing to adventure-loving travelers and serves as personal challenges for tourists. This place promises to offer you many unforgettable and exciting experiences.