Tiếng Việt
Halong Bay, located in the northeast region of Vietnam and often referred to as the “Dragon Prince,” is a captivating tourist destination. One of its most fascinating features is the abundance of caves scattered throughout the area. The Ha Long Bay Cave system offers numerous attractions, including ancient limestone formations and unexplored underground lakes. Here are nine caves in Halong Bay that you absolutely must see.
The Surprise Cave, located on Bo Hon Island in Halong Bay, is a popular and large cavern known for its magnificent rock formations and unique geology. Visitors need to hike up a challenging trail that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding islands and bays to reach the cave’s entrance. The cave consists of two distinct sections, each with its own geological features. The first section resembles various creatures, including turtles and elephants, while the second section boasts a massive rock curtain resembling a waterfall.
Thien Cung Cave: A Natural Wonder on Dau Go Island
Thien Cung Cave, situated on Dau Go Island, is famous for its stunning stalactites and stalagmites that come in various unique shapes. In addition, the cave’s lighting system amplifies its natural beauty.
One of the most remarkable features of the cave is the spacious Throne Room, which stands over 30 meters high, adorned with impressive stone pillars, and fascinating stalactites and stalagmites. To ensure visitors’ safety while exploring the numerous chambers and passages, wooden walkways and handrails are installed in the cave. A minimum of an hour is recommended to explore all of the cave’s wonders thoroughly.
Important details to note include the Heaven Cave being open daily from 06:30 to 18:30, and entrance fees ranging from 30,000 VND to 70,000 VND. Visitors may also find that many Halong Bay tours already include cave entrance fees.
Me Cung Cave, also known as Bewitching Cave, is a magnificent spot in Halong Bay. To get to the entrance, visitors must climb steep steps leading to a narrow opening in the cliff. Once inside, they are transported to a world of wonder and mystery. The highlight of the cave is its hidden lake, which can be reached through a narrow passageway leading to a secluded chamber deep within the cave. Visitors can enjoy the peacefulness of the lake surrounded by towering limestone cliffs.
Wooden Stakes Cave (Dau Go Cave)
Dau Go Cave, also known as Wooden Stakes Cave, is a must-visit cave in Ha Long Bay. The cave is located on Dau Go Island and is named after a famous battle in Vietnamese history in 1288. There are three compartments in the cave with undamaged natural landscapes, and it’s only 300 meters away from Thien Cung Cave, making them often visited together. The cave has been given the French name “Grotte des Marseilles,” which means “Cave of Miracles.”
Trinh Nu Cave (The Virgin Cave)
Trinh Nu Cave, also known as The Virgin Cave, is located in the Bo Hoan Islands of Halong Bay, just 15 km from Bai Chay Beach. It covers an area of 2,000m2 and is considered one of the most beautiful caves in the area, with many stalactites and stalagmites. According to legend, it’s the place where the Love Story of Halong Bay began and features a stone statue pillar associated with a pure and faithful love story. The cave consists of three chambers connected by a narrow window and has formations that form beautiful carvings on the cave wall.
Legend has it that the cave was named after a beautiful fisherman’s daughter who was exiled to a desert island by a rich man because she refused to marry him as a concubine due to her love for someone else. She starved and yearned for her lover until she died and was petrified, and visitors can still see a statue of her lying down with long hair and eyes facing the mainland.
Luon Cave: A Stunning Stopover in Ha Long Bay Cave
Luon Cave, situated just 1 km away from Sung Sot Cave and 14 km south of Bai Chay Beach, is a must-visit attraction in Halong Bay. The cave is situated in front of Turtle Island and Thien Mon Island, surrounded by clear, steep waters, and boasts a blue lake at its center, surrounded by cliffs and lush vegetation. Under the water, you can spot various sea creatures like shrimp, crabs, and squid.
Tourists flock to Luon Cave to admire intriguing stalactites, which create a stunning paradise-like environment. Although cruise ships are not allowed inside the cave, visitors can explore it by taking bamboo boats or kayaks. The journey to Luon Cave offers an attractive mix of natural scenery with watercolors, mountains, trees, and heaven and earth. This place is definitely worth visiting for a day.
The Popular Dark and Bright Cave in Halong Bay
If you’re searching for a less-crowded cave, the Dark and Bright Cave might be perfect for you. It’s situated near the Lan Ha Bay border and can only be reached by a small boat or kayak, about 1 km away from Sung Sot Cave.
Compared to other caves in Halong Bay, Dark and Bright Cave is equally beautiful and boasts diverse flora and fauna. The cave is divided into two parts: the dark cave provides mysterious beauty, while sunlight floods the light cave through its entrance.
Many water activities like swimming, scuba diving, and kayaking await visitors during the morning and evening. You can also explore a valley surrounded by majestic mountains by kayaking through Sang Cave. The Dark and Bright Cave is the most famous one and has many fig trees, orchids, tall trees, fragrant flowers, crabs, shrimps, and corals around.
Tien Ong Cave: A Historical and Scenic Destination in Halong Bay
Tien Ong Cave, which opened to visitors in 2010, may not be as popular as other caves in Halong Bay. However, it has drawn attention to its archaeological significance and beautiful scenery. The cave contains stone tools dating back to 10,000-2,000 BC, providing insight into ancient history. Archaeologists have also discovered fossils, pottery fragments, seashells, and other ancient tools inside the cave, indicating human habitation around 8,000-10,000 years ago.
Located approximately 20 km from Ha Long’s center, Tien Ong Cave spans 50 meters in width and 10 meters in height above sea level. It leads to a massive underground dome of about 1,000 square meters. Despite being less crowded than other caves like Sung Sot Cave, Tien Ong has its own unique charm.
Fairy Lake Cave in Halong Bay
Ho Dong Tien Cave, also known as “Fairy Lake,” is an enchanting cave located in Halong Bay. It is believed that fairies often visit the cave to swim and relax. The cave consists of a small entrance and two chambers. The first chamber can only be reached by kayak or rowboat, while the second chamber has a small pond for kayaking and two paths leading to the famous Fairy Lake.
This unique cave is home to a variety of wildlife such as crabs, crickets, and bats. However, it is being protected by the Halong Bay Management Committee. To explore this peaceful and beautiful cave, you can search and sign up for tours to discover the caves of Halong Bay.
Halong Bay is a stunning natural wonder that has recently gained popularity among tourists due to its mesmerizing beauty and captivating landscapes. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Halong Bay is renowned for its rich cuisine and well-preserved natural scenery, including the famous Halong Bay caves and karsts. Don’t miss out on the top 9 must-discover caves, where you can kayak through narrow passages and experience the primitive charm of nature. Paradise VietNam guarantees an unforgettable journey.