Son Doong Cave
Hang Sơn Đoòng
The world’s largest cave, with a primeval forest and clouds inside its chambers; access is only through a four-day, three-night official expedition.
Son Doong Cave was confirmed in 2009 by a joint British–Vietnamese expedition. Its largest chamber is about 200 m high and 150 m wide, big enough to hold an entire city block. Two sinkholes collapsed in the roof and let in sunlight, so a primeval forest has grown inside, and the cave even forms its own clouds. The only legal way in is Oxalis's four-day, three-night expedition, which has about 1,000 places a year at around USD 7,000 per person. Participants must pass a fitness assessment and book about a year in advance. The route passes Hang En cave. It demands high fitness, including climbing, wading and rope descents.
Opening hours
Expedition tours approx. Feb–Aug each year
Nearby sights
- Hang Én
- Tam Co Cave (Eight Ladies Cave)
- Paradise Cave
- Hang Pygmy
- Phong Nha Botanic Garden
- Nuoc Mooc Eco Trail
- Dark Cave (Hang Tối)
- Tien Son Cave