English
French
Spanish
Italian
If you are an adventurer at heart, the allure of unexplored territories and hidden wonders beckons like a siren's call. Among the many natural marvels that grace our planet, one stands out as a power of nature – Son Doong Cave.
An explorer admiring Son Doong Cave. Photo: Local Vietnam
Deep within Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, this gigantic cavern has captivated the imaginations of explorers and thrill-seekers alike. Join Asia King Travel as we delve into the remarkable world and uncover the secrets that make the Son Doong Cave expedition a truly unforgettable experience.
Discovered in 1990 by a local named Ho Khanh, Son Doong Cave remained an enigma for nearly two decades until a team of British cavers began their discovery that would forever change our understanding of cave systems. They uncovered the most colossal caves known to humankind to this day.
The vastness of nature compared to an ordinary person. Photo: Oxalis Adventure
The cave is a true Leviathan with a height of up to 200 meters and could comfortably accommodate a Boeing 747. In addition, some sections are as large as 140 x 140 meters, containing stalagmites up to 14 meters tall. Researchers also found an underground river 2.5 kilometers long. The cave has coral reefs and fossil remains.
Son Doong Cave tour was launched in August 2013 and immediately became an attractive adventure tour in Vietnam for adventurous travelers worldwide. In 2014, National Geographic UK ranked it the world's top adventure tour. In 2017, the Daily Mail voted as having the most impressive campsite in the world. In 2019, Dave TV of the UK also voted it the 5th greatest adventure on the planet.
Oxalis Adventure is the only company authorized to organize Son Doong tours. The company was granted a permit by the People's Committee of Quang Binh Province to develop an adventure tour to explore this cave. This tourism company specializes in providing cave exploration tours in the province.
Oxalis Adventure also has many other attractive cave exploration tours in Quang Binh. Photo: Oxalis Adventure
Oxalis Adventure has a team of experienced cavers from the British-Vietnamese Cave Research Team with many years of experience in cave research, exploration, and development for tourism, focusing on conservation and sustainable development of natural values.
A 6-day, 5-night tour to explore the world's largest cave can be compared to a 10-day European vacation considering the cost of VND 72 million (USD 3000) per person. The company also offers an affordable package at VND 58 million (USD 2500) for a 4-day, 3-night trip to stimulate tourism.
For them, money is not as important as satisfying passion and conquest. Photo: Vexplorers
The cost is significantly 5 to 10 times higher than other domestic cave exploration tours. However, this premium includes a substantial contribution to environmental protection efforts helping the cave maintain its pristine state as if no human has ever set foot there.
To safeguard the integrity of Son Doong Cave and prevent overcrowding, the Vietnamese government has implemented a strict cap on the number of tourists allowed to visit each year. Currently, only 1,000 permits are issued annually, and tours are only operated at the first eight months of the year. The remaining time is allocated to allow the ecosystem to recover.
The untouched beauty of Son Doong Cave needs to be preserved rather than exploited for tourism. Photo: Cagina
Despite the high price and limited capacity, bookings are always full. Oxalis Adventure has announced that all tours for 2025 are fully booked. Perhaps the positive word-of-mouth from previous visitors has contributed to this. And who wouldn't want to explore such a magnificent natural wonder at least once in their lifetime?
We say "crew" because it's not just the tourists, but also the entire expedition team follow-up. Each tour has only 10 tourists but requires 30 people to serve. This includes 22 porters carrying luggage and food throughout the journey; 5 safety assistants; one international guide; one British Royal cave expert; 2 cooks and one forest ranger.
Oxalis Adventure staff accompanying the tourists are experienced explorers. Photo: Tigit Motorbikes
Son Doong Cave expedition requires a team of skilled and experienced guides, cavers, and porters to navigate the treacherous terrain safely. These adventure crews are the unsung heroes of every expedition. But they will take care lots of people so don't rely on them too much. Remember and follow the safety guide while trekking.
They carry 600 kilograms of equipment and supplies into and out of the cave, including human waste. All porters and guides are regularly trained in safety. In case of emergency, there will be a rescue helicopter. According to Mr. Nguyen Chau A, director of Oxalis Adventure: "Safety is our top priority in adventure tours, and no safety requirement can be overlooked."
Suggested for you: Center Vietnam Tour 7 days
Asia King Travel would like to congratulate anyone who successfully booked the Son Doong Cave adventure. You are indeed lucky explorers. This trip will be an unforgettable experience. One of the most notable highlights is three nights of camping inside the cave.
A breathtaking view greets you every morning. Photo: VnExpress
Your adventure begins with a night camping in En Cave before entering Son Doong Cave. On the second night, you will camp near Doline 1, 3 kilometers from the cave entrance. The final night will be spent near Doline 2, where you will find a paradise: an underground primeval forest.
All campsites are located within the large cave dome, protected from rain or sunshine. The average temperature is around 22 degrees Celsius. These locations also receive abundant natural light from the outside, so tourists don't need to use lamps while still inside the cave.
All campsites are located near natural underground water sources. The lake in En Cave is considered the most unique swimming pool as it has two streams of hot and cold water flowing through it. Explorers can choose the right water temperature for their end-of-day relaxation regardless of winter or summer.
En Cave is also among the top largest caves in the world. Photo: Tico Travel
On rainy days in Doline 2, a waterfall cascades from the cave ceiling, and everyone can bathe under these giant "showers". On non-rainy days, they can walk about 500 meters to reach a lake area near The Great Wall of Vietnam for swimming.
Not only that, the cave possesses a large underground river system. If conditions permit, you can immerse yourself in the cool water or kayak on the river. The underground river acts as an air conditioner for the ecosystem. The temperature difference and water vapor from the underground rivers have created clouds, making the cave even more magical.
Throughout the trek, there will be no phone signal or Wi-Fi. Guests will be fully immersed in nature and activities. Therefore, please inform your family and friends about the trip and the inability to contact you for the next few days. The tour guide will have a satellite phone for emergencies only. The entire service team will communicate with each other via walkie-talkies.
A journey with minimal radio equipment. Photo: Oxalis Adventure
Son Doong expedition is a nature experience tour, a journey to feel nature’s gift upon humanity. This is not a race, so there is no need to rush or move too quickly. You can take photos and short videos at suitable locations. Nevertheless, you should not spend most of your time filming or taking photos because doing so will leave you with no time to experience the full meaning of a journey.
Your clothing choices will significantly impact your comfort and safety on the trail. Pack 3-4 light-colored trekking shirts for increased visibility in wooded areas. Choose quick-drying fabrics for your tops and bottoms. For winter trips, a windproof jacket is essential to regulate body temperature. Lastly, don't forget to pack your swimsuit for a fun first night at En Cave.
Prepare an additional 20-25 liters trekking backpack to carry essentials like a helmet, water bottle, camera, and phone. You'll also need a pair of hiking boots with good grip and about 4 pairs of thick, calf-high socks to protect your feet. Pack a pair of sandals for camp comfort. A personal dry bag is a must-have to protect your electronics from getting wet.
Spring in Phong Nha gradually warms up but is not too hot. When walking through the forests, tourists will see many flowers blooming, especially in April and May. Some days in March can be cold due to the cold air, but tourists have the opportunity to witness the sunlight penetrating deep into the caves.
Cave exploration is a great choice to avoid the heat. Photo: Quang Binh Tourism
Quang Binh's summer is scorching hot, but this doesn't affect the journey much as you'll spend most of your time in the caves. The average temperature inside the caves is around 20 degrees Celsius and isn't over 25 degrees Celsius, so you'll always feel comfortable.
Summer is the time of year when tourists often encounter fog and clouds floating inside the vast caves. Joining a summer tour allows visitors to swim freely in the streams and underground lakes.
In the end, a Son Doong Cave expedition is a reminder that even in the depths of the Earth, there are wonders that defy our wildest imaginings. So Asia King Travel wishes you had a forever etched in your memory as a true odyssey of a lifetime.
Suggested for you: Center Vietnam 10 days: Hidden Gem of Central Part
