Caving Vietnam is one of the most interesting outdoor activities in Vietnam. Vietnam has a geographical condition that offers lots of caves, grottoes throughout the country. To cave Vietnam, you will need a professional tour operator who provides caving gear, caving equipment, caving shoes. Whether you travel to the northern Vietnam, Halong Bay, Cao Bang Ha Giang or to the northwest, Son La, Lai Chau you find a cave is worth a visit. Most of these caves are easily accessible, and can be visited in one day from major cities.
The North-central Vietnam has some of the largest and longest caves in the world. Some of these caves have been recently discovered by Howard and Deb Limbert, members of British Cave Research Association.
Thus the caving and archeological expeditions can be included in travel itineraries, tour programs for Cave Research Association and active adventure travelers seeking particular adventures in Vietnam.
To do real archeological expeditions or caving in Vietnam, you will need at least a full day in Phong Nha Ke Bang national park – the best place for caving. The best options are two days and three days packages that offer the chance to explore Hang En cave, Tu Lan cave. If you need more time for the hobby, take a 6 days tour that leads you to Son Doong cave – the World largest cave.
All these caves are located within the Phong Nha Ke Bang national park in the Quang Binh province of Central Vietnam. You will need then the time for getting there. There are two more days if you take the flight from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh city. Taking the overnight train is another option. The local train from/to Hanoi takes almost a full night.
When to go caving in Vietnam?
If you would like to visit a cave that is easily accessible, and that can be added together with other attractions, then you can go any time. While you are cruising in Halong Bay, the boat can make a stop for you to visit a cave. It takes about a half or one hour. If you take a 4 day trip to Cao Bang, you can also make a stop on the way to Ban Gioc Waterfalls to visit the Nguom Ngao Cave…
Therefore if you want to do a multi-day caving expedition, Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park is the best place. Some of the caves have recently discovered and have been open to public.
Similar to Northern Vietnam’s weather, Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park has a typical tropical monsoon weather with hot temperature in summer and high humidity. In summer it can go up to 41°C and it also can drop as low as 6°C in winter. As such, it is not advisable to go there during typhoon and rainy season, especially from October to December, although the temperature inside the cave is still cool (around 20°C) but the temperature outside is simply unbearable. You may not be easy and comfortable with rain or bad weather or typhoon during the month of October to December as the weather can turn cold.
The best time to visit Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park is from February to August.
Best places to go caving in Vietnam?
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is one of the most spectacular wilderness sites in South East Asia and one of the 2 largest limestone regions in the world. The place offers wonderful Caving and Archeological Expeditions.
Destined to become one of Vietnam’s major tourist attractions, a vast network of underground caves and passages can be found, along with awesome jungle scenery and fascinating rock formations. This beautiful and little explored region contains the world’s longest river cave, Hang Ke Ry and the world’s largest cave, Hang Son Doong.
