Son Doong cave tourism in Quang Binh: A journey of natural exploration

Compass Travel Vietnam
Son Doong cave tourism in Quang Binh: A journey of natural exploration

Son Doong Cave tourism in Quang Binh has been officially exploited and put into operation since 2013 and is holding the “kingdom” with the title of the largest cave on the planet.

Cave Son Doong tourist attraction in Quang Binh is located in the Phong Nha – Ke Bang cave complex. Let’s discover what this place has that is of special interest to explorers, scientists, and the “team” of discovery enthusiasts as a must-visit place at least once in a lifetime!

1. Introduction about Son Doong cave in Quang Binh

1.1. Where is Son Doong Cave?

Son Doong Cave is a famous tourist attraction in Quang Binh , belonging to Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park (Son Trach Commune, Bo Trach District, Quang Binh Province) and is also part of an underground system connecting more than 150 caves. another in Vietnam near the border with Laos.

Hang Son Doong is the pride of the Vietnamese people as well as the people of Quang Binh when being favored by nature with a priceless masterpiece (Photo: collectibles)

1.2. Who was the first person to discover Son Doong cave?

Son Doong Cave was discovered in 1991 by Ho Khanh – a local resident who only happened to find it when he was hiding at the cave entrance to avoid the rain. Much later, until 2009, when the British Cave Royal Association (BCRA) expedition came to this place to explore, did Mr. Ho Khanh have the opportunity to inform them about the existence of the cave.

It was very difficult for him and the expedition to find the cave entrance, which is located deep in the old forest with rugged, remote terrain and especially cannot be detected on Google Earth. Under his guidance, they went deep into the cave, measuring, photographing, and collecting scientific data.

Son Doong Cave has been recognized as a world heritage site with outstanding features: A natural cave with the largest size, an extremely unique interior environment with primeval forest, an underground river and its own conditions. own weather.

Explore the world’s largest cave when traveling to Hang Son Doong in Quang Binh (Photo: collectibles)

1.3. When was Son Doong Cave formed?

The cave was formed about 2-5 million years ago when river water flowed through the buried limestone area, this water eroded to create a giant tunnel in the ground under the mountain range. In the soft rock sections, the ceiling collapses to form holes, which is the arch of the cave.

Admire the fanciful scenery when traveling to Hang Son Doong in Quang Binh (Photo: collectibles)

1.4. The amazing parameters at Hang Son Doong

Cave length: nearly 9km
The highest cave dome: 200m, 150m wide (estimated to be able to “fit” a skyscraper of about 40 floors)
Volume: approximately 36.8 million m3 (equivalent to 15,000 Olympic swimming pools)

With the above data, Son Doong has now officially surpassed the world record of Deer Cave in Gunung Mulu National Park, Malaysia, becoming the largest, most majestic and splendid natural cave in the world.

Currently, it is hypothesized that Son Doong cave is connected to Thung cave with a volume of about 1.6 million m3 and this place can be even more impressive with its size and many mysteries yet to be discovered by humans. (Photo: collection)

1.5. What world records does Son Doong Cave own?

Unprecedented records of Hang Son Doong Quang Binh:

Ranked 8 out of 52 places to visit by the New York Times in 2014.
Son Doong Cave ranked first in the list of 15 most magnificent caves in the world according to Bored Panda’s poll.
Son Doong Cave has officially become the first and only place in the world that all three record organizations in the world have jointly set a record up to now: Guinness World Records (based in the UK) ), the World Records Association (based in Hong Kong) and the World Records Union (based in the US and India).

As the world’s largest cave with its unique ecosystem, since being put into operation for adventure tourism in 2013 until now, it has always proved attractive to the domestic tourism community. and international with majestic beauty, professionalism in organization and operation, sustainable exploitation and many other great values.

Son Doong Cave tourism in Quang Binh (Photo: collection)

2. Discover 5 natural wonders hidden in Son Doong cave

Since being discovered in 2009, Son Doong cave has still maintained its “throne” as the most magnificent, largest and most mysterious cave in the world. With tens of kilometers of caves deep in the heart of limestone mountains, underground rivers, cliffs and a whole ecosystem of its own.

All of these things create a diverse, rich and extremely attractive natural population from the four directions. Also in Son Doong, you can find natural wonders first seen in the world.

2.1. Giant Son Doong Cave

Son Doong Quang Binh is the largest natural cave in the world with a height of 200m, enough to fit a 40-story building or dozens of the largest Boeings.

Just set foot at the cave entrance, each cold wind blowing in the cave will melt away the fatigue of the arduous journey of “crossing the forest and wading through streams” that you have had to go through. Not only marveling at the large space of the cave, but you will also feel extremely excited by the magical mystery hidden behind the fanciful thick fog.

Immerse yourself in the large space when traveling to Hang Son Doong in Quang Binh (Photo: collectibles)

2.2. Garden of Eden in the ground

Not only famous for its huge size, but the scenery inside Son Doong cave also creates an extremely magnificent scene with mountains, rivers, and a forest with an extremely unique and diverse ecosystem.

Son Doong is home to many different species of flora and fauna, created by a fast-flowing underground river and illuminated by the sunlight of a collapsed part of the cave.

There is pristine vegetation without human footprints on a vast primeval rainforest like a real ‘garden of paradise’ in the world (Photo: collectibles)

2.3. Vietnam’s “Great Wall”

Right in front of the cave is a 90m high stone wall, named by explorers as the “Vietnam Wall”. This is one of the hardest challenges in the Son Doong cave expedition. You will have to conquer this wall with ladders, ropes and the help of technicians.

The system of soaring natural cliffs makes this place known as the Great Wall of Vietnam (Photo: collectibles)

2.4. Giant stalactite system

Son Doong Cave attracts you by the diversity in geology in the special topography of underground rivers and large caves. If the stalactites in Phong Nha cave are magnificent, then in Son Doong, the stalactite system is like powerful giants with stalagmite columns over 70m high (even higher than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France) and with all shapes created millions of years ago.

Exploring Son Doong cave, you will admire the beautiful limestone system, stalactites, and stalagmite columns up to 70m (Photo: collectibles)

2.5. The world’s largest cave pearl

In addition, people also discovered the world’s largest cave “pearls” (jewels enclosing a type of pearl-like beads under the sea, composed mainly of calcite) in the world in Son Doong. Normally, these “pearls” are only about 1cm in diameter, but in Son Doong, they are as big as a baseball.

The magical hand of nature has created unique and unique cave pearls (jewels) larger than a baseball (Photo: collectibles)

3. The experiences have 1-0-2 at the cave

3.1. Swimming in the cave

With so many underground rivers and lakes, swimming in Son Doong cave is both a must and an opportunity for you to save interesting experiences. The water in the cave drains continuously so it is very clean and cool, but in some areas, the flow is quite fast, so you must follow the instructions of the guide.

What’s interesting about Hang Son Doong in Quang Binh? Enjoy swimming in the cool water (Photo: collectibles)

3.2. Hunting for photos of sun rays and clouds

Photographs of sunlight and fog have created a “brand” for Son Doong cave. If you want to see and save this beautiful image, you should come here in spring because at this time the sun shines through the sinkhole of the cave. The fog spreading throughout the cave also helps to make the scene more magical and beautiful.

Hunting photos when traveling to Hang Son Doong in Quang Binh (Photo: collection)

3.3. Campsite “unique”

The two campsites in Son Doong cave in Quang Binh are undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and unique campsites in the world. Both areas are located on the edge of sinkholes, so you can see the starry sky on a clear night.

Experience “romantic” overnight camping when traveling to Hang Son Doong in Quang Binh (Photo: collectibles)

4. All experiences of Son Doong cave tourism in Quang Binh

4.1. Expenses for discovering Son Doong cave tour in Quang Binh

If you are wondering how much is the ticket to Hang Son Doong, the answer is FREE. But this does not mean that you can travel to Son Doong Cave in Quang Binh at any time because in order to best ensure your safety as well as preserve nature in Son Doong, the Quang Binh provincial government. It is not allowed to organize free tourism activities at Son Doong cave.

So how to travel Son Doong? The cave has been put into operation in the form of adventure tourism since 2013 and so far, the discovery tours here have been exploited only by Oxalis Adventure – a unit specializing in organizing adventure tours. Industry in Vietnam based in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park is licensed by the Quang Binh province government to exploit tourism in Son Doong Cave.

Son Doong cave discovery tour was held in early August 2013 with the first group of 6 people from the United States, Russia, Australia and Norway (Photo: collectibles)

6 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW about Son Doong Quang Binh tour:

Tour operation time: from January to the end of August every year.
Cost: 1 person when joining the tour is 3000 USD, nearly 70 million VND. Currently, to stimulate tourism demand, the tour price is only 58,200,000 VND/trip to explore 4N3D (so far, the Son Doong cave tour is the most expensive tour in Vietnam).
Tour registration: each year is only allowed organize for a maximum of 1,000 tourists, it is not always possible to go when you register and the seats are usually registered until the end of the year very early.
Tour itinerary: 4 days 3 nights camping inside Hang En and Hang Son Doong plus 2 nights at the hotel before and after the journey. This 4N3D adventure tour is at the level of adventure level 6, the highest of the tours Oxalis is managing.
Number of participants per tour: to ensure safety, each tour includes a maximum of 10 tourists and 30 waiters (including cave experts, guides, safety assistants, chefs and porters – porters) thing).
Requirements for you to join the tour: To participate in this journey, you need to have a trekking experience that meets the health conditions.

98% of tourists to Son Doong cave in Quang Binh are foreigners (Photo: collectibles)

4.2. The best time to visit Son Doong cave in Quang Binh

Son Doong cave tours last from January to August every year. From September to December, Son Doong cave is closed for tourism and exploration activities to ensure your safety and take time to restore the ecosystem. So you can refer to the time periods below to choose the right trip for you!

January – March: The air in Phong Nha is still chilly, helping you lose strength when walking through the forest all day long. This is the time when the natural mountains and forests sprout, the trees are green.
April – May: Phong Nha is now in the transition of seasons, with light but not harsh sunshine, and little rain, is a great time for you to trek without having to worry too much about weather conditions.
June – August: You will see flying clouds floating at eye level in the cave wall and comfortably immerse yourself in the cool water when wading in the stream on the way or swimming in the underground river inside the cave.

Traveling to Son Doong Cave in Quang Binh is a great opportunity for you to take “forever” photos or admire the splendor of nature (Photo: collectibles)

4.3. What to prepare when traveling to Son Doong cave in Quang Binh?

Health: This journey is always dangerous, medical experts will conduct a survey to check your health to make sure you are eligible for the trip. An extremely useful Son Doong travel experience is that before traveling to explore the Son Doong cave, you must practice walking about 10km/day and be able to cross at least one hill about 200-300m high. Persevere in training for 3 – 6 months before the journey begins, you will have enough strength to join this wonderful journey.
Costume: Because the travel distance is quite long, it is necessary to prepare well in terms of personal belongings and clothes. You should use shoes that are airy, soft, do not hurt your feet and can cling to rocks and climb mountains. Dress comfortably, cool and convenient for movement. But also remember to bring warm clothes because the temperature in the cave at night is quite cold.
Personal belongings: Sunscreen and insect repellent are two extremely important things you can’t forget to bring on the trip. And for superb quality photos, don’t forget the tripod and camera.

You must be in good health to join the tour of Hang Son Doong in Quang Binh (Photo: collectibles)

Note: In addition to the two important prerequisites above, the remaining items to bring such as tents, cooking utensils, and flashlights … are all prepared by the tour party. If there are other important requests or notes, they will notify me separately later.

4.4. How to move to Son Doong cave?

You will ride with the tour company to kilometer 39 of Ho Chi Minh Street, from here you will start the process of discovering the wonderful Son Doong cave. To get to the cave, you have to walk quite a distance there.

Son Doong Cave travel experience in Quang Binh (Photo: collectibles)

4.5. Son Doong Cave tour itinerary in Quang Binh

Travel time to Son Doong cave is about 4N3D or 5N4D.

On the first day of the journey, the Son Doong tour bus only takes you to kilometer 39 of Ho Chi Minh Street, from here you walk down the valley, through the village of the Van Kieu ethnic group.

The first stop is Hang En, an overnight stay at En cave creates a stepping stone for a challenging journey the next morning (Photo: collectibles)

The road from the entrance to the cave has a steep slope, it is very difficult to get down and you have to go along a fast-flowing underground river to go deep into the cave (Photo: collectibles)

Stepping inside, you will feel overwhelmed by the majesty of this cave, large enough for 3 planes to fly horizontally like outdoors. Not only owning beautiful stalactites, you will also discover giant clear “pools”, even waterfalls that don’t stop flowing.

Admire the masterpiece of nature when traveling to Hang Son Doong in Quang Binh (Photo: collectibles)

Where the roof of Son Doong cave collapsed many years ago, the light poured in to create the best conditions for trees to grow, and a whole forest appeared in the cave – a place named by explorers as “the garden of paradise”. “. Up to 400 species of plants and creatures are intertwined. Even when you sit and rest, you are completely immersed in the sound of birds chirping, and the sound of water flowing like a fairy scene.

4.6. Notes when traveling to Hang Son Doong in Quang Binh

All your luggage will be carried by the carrier, you only bring a small backpack with a camera, water bottle, cream, toothbrush, and sunscreen.
The travel company has prepared tents for you to rest and to ensure hygiene in the cave, the company also prepares very hygienic and clean portable toilets. After each tour, there will be a team to clean up all the plastic containers brought out of the burial cave. To ensure the safety of your trip, you need to absolutely comply with the regulations set forth by the tour company.
Note that when moving in Son Doong cave, you can only go on a small path that the guide has pointed out not to go out other ways to ensure the unspoiled beauty of the cave.
On the way you see snakes or any other animals, do not poke or chase them but just quietly pass them because they are warned to be very poisonous.
You cannot organize a tour to visit Son Doong cave by yourself. To visit, you must register with the Oxalis travel agency.

Pocket notes when traveling to Son Doong Cave in Quang Binh (Photo: collectibles)

5. Which hotel should you choose when traveling to Son Doong cave in Quang Binh?

After finishing the journey to discover Son Doong cave, you can also combine visiting other attractive Quang Binh tourist sites such as Phong Nha – Ke Bang cave, Quang Phu Sandhill, and Canh Duong mural village…

Don’t forget to spend time discovering the unique culinary culture of Central Vietnam here with Quang Binh specialties such as snack cakes (pancake, Beo cake, filter cake…), young squid squeezed with mango, river fish Son Phong Nha, great-grandson rice paper, born sea … extremely delicious and attractive.

If you have been able to have fun, explore as much as you like, and eat delicious food, then you must definitely choose a hotel you like to have the most perfect trip. And one of the great places to stay is the Vinpearl Hotel Quang Binh located in the heart of Dong Hoi city by the romantic Nhat Le river.

Vinpearl Hotel Quang Binh is sparkling at night

Experiences you should not miss when coming to Vinpearl Hotel Quang Binh:

Stay at the highest hotel in Quang Binh with a super shimmering city and life direction.
Convenient to move to busy entertainment and shopping spots: Mother Suot monument, Dong Hoi market, Son Doong cave…
Take a cool bath at the only 4-season swimming pool in Quang Binh.
Massage and treatment at Vincharm Spa.

The indoor swimming pool is not afraid of the weather

Luxury 5-star hotel room, fully equipped

Relax with Vincharm Spa

If you are passionate about adventure travel and love to explore, then you don’t need to go anywhere as far as climbing the snow mountain in Nepal, or conquering Mount Everest… because even in Vietnam, there is also an interesting place for you to challenge. that is Hang Son Doong itself.

The journey to visit Son Doong cave in Quang Binh will definitely be a memorable and meaningful experience in your life when witnessing one of the most magical and majestic natural masterpieces on this planet.

Son Doong cave tourism in Quang Binh: A journey of natural exploration
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