If you’re heading to Vietnam for adventure, the Hang Son Doong Cave should be on top of your list. Considered as the world’s largest cave, Hang Son Doong was formed around 2.5 million years ago and some parts of the roof have collapsed, which formed beautiful sections that are now blanketed by lush greenery. Tourists can setup a camp at the cave or simply explore the magnificent structure. If you’re thinking of visiting the cave on your trip to Vietnam, here’s everything you need to know.
Applying for Your Vietnam Visa
If you’re leaving for Vietnam soon, you should apply for your visa as early as now. You can submit your application at to vietnamvisa.cheap, a reputable company that’s dedicated to helping all tourists with their visa to Vietnam. Using the website is pretty easy. You just need to fill out the form with your details and after you make a payment, they will process your visa. After a few days, you will receive a pre-approval letter in your email and you have to print the letter, as this is what you will bring on your trip. Upon arrival at the airport, simply present the letter and you can enter Vietnam!
How To Get to Hang Son Doong Cave
Hang Son Doong cave is located in a city known as Dong Hoi, the capital of Vietnam’s Quang Binh Province. The fastest way to reach Dong Hoi is by air. There are numerous domestic flights coming from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh airport every day.
You can also take the train going to Dong Hoi. However, the trains can take a really long time. For instance, if you’re coming from Hanoi, the travel time is 10 hours. There are also buses that travel to Dong Hoi. This is the cheapest option but it can also take a long time, depending on which city you came from.
Best Time to Visit Hang Son Doong
If you want to fully enjoy the cave, it’s recommended that you stay for several days. There are lots of Hang Son Doong cave tours that you can book. It is best to schedule your visit between the months of February and August because the rest of the months tend to be very rainy and can pose danger to tourists since it gets very slippery. Plus, the weather inside the cave during these months is cool, which makes it a perfect time to explore the cave.
How To Tour the Cave
It will require a 6-kilometer trek through the rainforest in order to reach the Hang Son Doong cave. The trek includes passing through a small village that’s home to some ethnic tribes. Hang Son Doong is part of the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and there is an entrance fee that you will pay upon entering the park. You’ll have to pay additional fees for the guided tour.
It is highly recommended to book a tour when exploring the cave. There are lots of tour operators that offer a guided tour of the cave led by a professional and knowledgeable guide. The package already includes the rental fee for the camping equipment, safety gears, caving equipment, and meals. Depending on the tour that you will book, the expedition team may also include safety assistants and porters who will carry the equipment all throughout the tour.
Some Facts About the Cave
As the world’s largest national cave, the Son Doong Cave is one of the most popular attractions in Vietnam. Inside, you’ll find an incredible formation of stalagmites, stalactites, and numerous limestone grottoes.
The Son Doong cave was first discovered by a local in 1991, then a team of British cavers explored the cave in 2009. Some sections of the cave could reach up to 200 meters high and the length of the cave is 9 km, which makes it bigger than the Deer Cave of Malaysia. Inside the cave, you’ll also get to encounter several wildlife species, such as flying foxes, monkeys, bats, and more!
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