Vietnam is not only a country with a unique culture and heroic history, but also favored by nature with many magnificent natural wonders, including some of the largest and most beautiful caves. Let's explore the most magnificent Vietnamese caves on your Vietnam travel journey through the article below!

1. About Vietnam's cave system

Vietnam's cave system is mainly located in the northern half of the country, due to the concentration of many limestone mountains.

The cave system in Vietnam is usually located in limestone mountains with a very developed karst terrain. Vietnam's three world natural heritages, namely Ha Long Bay, Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, and Trang An Complex, all have famous karst caves.

2. Top 7 amazing Vietnamese caves that will captivate your heart

Thanks to the favor of nature, Vietnam owns many beautiful and unique caves that are praised across the world. Below are 7 Vietnamese caves that have been exploited for tourism, attracting a large number of tourists.

2.1. Trang An Cave Complex

Trang An Cave Complex is a Vietnamese cave that is loved by many tourists thanks to its rare natural beauty. Here, there are up to 31 lagoons, connected by 48 caves, including 2 kilometer-long trans-water caves such as Dia Linh Cave, Sinh Duoc Cave, May Cave, etc. Each cave has its own unique beauty, and many of them have been recognized as archaeological sites.

The scenery at Trang An Cave Complex is likened to a natural geographical museum, with a series of caves, mountains, forests, rivers, and historical sites. It has majestic natural landscapes and the most unique Vietnamese caves. According to surveys, documents, and research, Trang An Cave has more than 310 species of plants, including woody plants, rare herbs, fungi, moss, etc. This Vietnamese cave is also home to about 30 species of wildlife, 50 species of birds, reptiles, and rare animals such as chamois or jaguars.

2.2. Son Doong Cave in Vietnam

Son Doong is the largest cave on the planet and also the most majestic cave in Vietnam. The cave was first found in 1991 by Ho Khanh, a local resident, and was officially discovered in 2009-2010 by the cave experts of the British Cave Research Association.

What makes Son Doong Cave the most majestic cave in Vietnam is its incredible size. It has a length of up to 5 kilometers. The largest chambers of the cave are up to 200 meters high and 150 meters wide. The cave is so large that it can accommodate a 40-story skyscraper in New York City. Surveys of Son Doong Cave also show that the stalactites here are the highest in the world, with a height of up to 80 meters. Therefore, a journey to Son Doong Cave - the largest Vietnamese cave - is always on the to-do list of adventure enthusiasts around the world.

2.3. Hang En Cave in Vietnam

Hang En Cave is one of the most majestic Vietnamese caves, and also the third largest cave in the world. The cave is located deep in the tropical forests of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park. It has 3 entrances, among which the largest one is up to 120 meters high and 140 meters wide. This Vietnamese cave is surrounded by dense mountains and forests, creating a wild and beautiful natural scenery. In the heart of Hang En, there are some areas so large that even the intense light from the flashlight can barely reach the cave wall.

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2.4. Phong Nha Cave in Vietnam

Phong Nha Cave not only is one of the largest and most beautiful Vietnamese caves but also has many historical values. With a length of up to 7,729 meters, Phong Nha Cave has the longest underground river in the world. This Vietnamese cave is divided into 3 main parts based on the level of light in these areas.

At the very large entrance of the cave, natural light is abundant. Thus, there are many light-dwelling animal species such as fish, insects, etc. The middle area of the cave is equipped with an artificial lighting system to serve visitors, and there are species such as shrimp, eel, etc. Finally, in the dark area, there is only darkness all year round. This is the suitable living environment for creatures such as blind fish, blind spiders, bats, etc.

2.5. Elephant Cave in Vietnam

Among famous Vietnamese caves in Quang Binh, Elephant Cave is a place that still retains its wild natural beauty. The cave is located in the center of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park. It is a dry cave with a height of about 60 meters and a length of about 300 meters.

Elephant Cave has been chosen by many young people as a trekking destination in recent years. The cave has two entrances: Elephant Entrance and Turtle Entrance. At each entrance, the sun shines down, creating a wild beauty that cannot be found anywhere else. This is what makes it different from many other caves in Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park.

Inside the cave, there are some remnants of the Indochina wars, such as gun shrapnels, bomb shells, and bullets. Like other caves in Vietnam, this place had witnessed many historical aerial battles and was also used by Vietnamese soldiers as a shelter.

2.6. Mua Cave in Vietnam

Mua Cave is surrounded by vast green rice fields, rolling hills, and mountains. To get to the entrance of Mua Cave, you need to climb nearly 50 steps along the top of Ngoa Long Mountain. What makes Mua Cave one of the most famous Vietnamese caves is not only the beauty inside the cave, but also the natural scenery seen along all the way to the top of the mountain. From here, you can admire the spectacular sight of not only Mua Cave but also the entire Trang An landscape.

2.7. Dark and Bright Cave in Vietnam

Dark and Bright Cave is a typical example of caves with frog’s jaw shape: the floor is underwater and the ceiling is above sea level.

Dark and Bright Cave consists of two small caves, which are Dark Cave and Bright Cave. Dark Cave is quite deep, narrow, and underwater, thus tourists are not allowed to enter the cave. Bright Cave is larger, with the height changing depending on the fluctuating tides. Rarely does the sea water reach the ceiling of this cave, so it is opened for visitors to explore.

The landscape here makes it ideal to immerse yourself in nature, admire the rich flora and enjoy the fresh air. On the walls of the cave, ancient fossil traces of freshwater snails can still be seen, suggesting that the cave was inhabited thousands of years ago.

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3. Things to keep in mind for your expedition to Vietnam's caves

In order for your Vietnamese cave expedition to be most favorable, you should pay attention to the following:

Clothes: Some caves are quite cold and humid, so adventurers can wear jackets in order to keep the body warm. The sole of the shoe must have a high grip to prevent slipping when moving in the caves. You should wear knee and elbow pads in case you have to crawl in tight spaces.
Helmet: The ceiling of the caves can be low and have many stalactites that can bump your head at any time. Therefore, it is advisable that you wear a helmet while exploring Vietnamese caves.
Flashlight: Moving in the dark inside the caves is not easy. Therefore, you should bring high-powered lights with long battery time. The best type of light to use in a cave is a flashlight or a mining light mounted on a hat. It is advisable to bring another backup light source, such as a lighter or waterproof match.
Water and food: The water in the caves is not suited for drinking, as it has not been tested for safety. Foods that you should bring along include fruits, protein supplements, and ready-to-eat canned food. Fresh food is not recommended, as it is dangerous to cook in the caves.
Other items: If the cave has an underground river, bring a rubber boat or underwater diving equipment. If it is your first time exploring a cave, you should only go for short-term exploration and bring basic equipment.
There are some caves in Vietnam that visitors are not allowed to explore by themselves and are required to join an exploration tour (in Son Doong Cave for example). Therefore, visitors should look up in advance about the destination before coming to one of these caves.

Along with a Vietnamese cave adventure, do not forget to experience the culture and many beautiful cities of Vietnam, such as Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Hoi An, Da Nang, etc. They are all beautiful cities with blue beaches, delicious food, and friendly locals.

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The Mother of Nature has favored Vietnam with all the charming caves. The world of large and small caves here will deepen your love for natural scenery. Hopefully, this article will help you choose the most suitable Vietnamese cave for your upcoming journey!

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