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Son Doong Cave

In 2009, a Vietnamese farmer named Ho Khanh showed British spelunkers the entrance to a cave he'd known since childhood. What they found inside rewrote all records: the largest cave passage on Earth, where a 40-story skyscraper could fit, with its own jungle, clouds, and river. Son Doong—"Mountain River Cave"—turned out to be so enormous that people compared it to another planet.

A Scale Beyond Comprehension

Son Doong's main passage reaches 200 meters in height, 175 meters in width, and stretches over 5 kilometers. The cave has its own weather: humid air rises and condenses into clouds benea...

Practical Information

Updated: Jan 6, 2026

Visit Duration

Minimum4 days
Recommended4 days
Maximum5 days

Entrance Fee

Adult
79,500,000 VND~79,500,000 $

Expedition 4 days: 79.5M VND (~$3000)! Oxalis Adventure only. Limit 1000/year. Book 1 year ahead. Jan-Aug. Alternative: Paradise Cave 250k VND

Best Time to Visit

January to August (dry season). September-December closed due to flooding. February-April typically best weather. Book far in advance as tours sell out 1-2 years ahead.

Crowd Level

Low — few visitors
Official Website

How to Get There

Fly to Dong Hoi (VDH) airport, then 1 hour to Phong Nha town. Expedition starts from Oxalis Adventure office in Phong Nha. 4-day trek through jungle to reach the cave. All tours only through Oxalis Adventure (sole licensed operator).

Best Photo Spot

Doline 1 skylight with jungle. Main passage with scale reference. Underground river. Watch Out for Dinosaurs campsite. Hand of Dog stalagmite.

When to Visit

Best Time

JanFebMarApr

Good Time

MayJunJulAug

Avoid

SepOctNovDec

Connectivity

Wi-Fi
Not available
Charging
No outlets
Mobile signal
No signal

Working Hours

Updated: Jan 6, 2026
24 hours
Note

Expeditions 4 days/3 nights. Oxalis Adventure only. ~1,000 visitors/year. ~$3,000. February-August (dry season). Book months ahead! World's largest cave. Good fitness required.

Accessibility

Wheelchair Access
Not accessible
Audio Guide
Not available
Staff Assistance
Not available

faq.title

faq.subtitle Son Doong Cave

Only through Oxalis Adventure (oxalisadventure.com), the sole licensed operator. Tours sell out 1-2 years in advance. Currently booking for 2027.

Travel Tips

Useful tips for visiting Son Doong Cave

Cost: ~$3,000 USD per person for 4-day expedition. Book 1-2 years in advance - 2025/2026 fully booked, now booking 2027. Only 1,000 visitors per year (groups of 6-10). Season: January-August only. Must be 18+, good health, pass physical. Alternative: Hang En cave 2-day trip ~$400. Oxalis is sole operator (oxalisadventure.com).

Fly to Dong Hoi (VDH) airport, then 1 hour to Phong Nha town. Expedition starts from Oxalis Adventure office in Phong Nha. 4-day trek through jungle to reach the cave. All tours only through Oxalis Adventure (sole licensed operator).

Doline 1 skylight with jungle. Main passage with scale reference. Underground river. Watch Out for Dinosaurs campsite. Hand of Dog stalagmite.

Reviews

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