Best Halong Bay Caves

If the image of Ha Long Bay evokes towering cliffs of limestone and emerald waters, then some real treasures of this UNESCO World Heritage Site actually lie beneath the surface—hidden, that is—in breathtakingly beautiful forms of caves, nature's incredible galleries full of unique stalactites and stalagmites, mysterious chambers, magic lights creating an out-of-this-world atmosphere. Visiting these caves is one of the things that travelers to Ha Long Bay should include in their itinerary. Below, you will find all important information about the most interesting caves in Ha Long Bay, their distinctive features, fascinating legends, and some valuable tips on how to get the most from your exploration.

1. All About Ha Long Bay Cave Explorations

The caves of Ha Long Bay are another thing altogether: think of walking through grand, cathedral-like chambers or down meandering paths full of rock formations that could be plucked directly from a fantasy world. These caves, carved over millions of years through erosion, are not only beautiful but also contain a story of the natural powers that have shaped this landscape.

Each is very different, from the grandeur present in Sung Sot Cave to the delicacy of the beautiful Thien Cung Cave. Visiting the caves offers a special look at nature and history, mixed with enough mystery to not be found in too many other places of the world.

2. Best Caves in Ha Long Bay

Ranging from popular tourist destinations to the more obscure and secluded ones, here are some of the best caves in Ha Long Bay that one should not miss:

a) Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave)

Sung Sot Cave is one of the most famous caves in all of Ha Long Bay, and for good reason. Sung Sot Cave is one of the biggest, with enormous chambers that just go on and on.

Why It's Special: Sung Sot is considered to be the "Surprise Cave" because it contains some amazing rock formations and because of its magnitude. It is divided into two major chambers: the first chamber, like a wide-open hall with smooth walls, while the second chamber is even more spacious with a ceiling dotted with stalactites.

What to Look For: Go deeper into the cave and keep your eyes open for animals, people, and mythical animal-like rock formations. Much of the fun is finding them yourself!

How to Visit: Most Ha Long Bay cruises feature Sung Sot Cave on an itinerary. If you're traveling by guide, he or she will probably fill your head with local legends and point out some of the highlights. It gets pretty crowded in here, so the earlier in the morning the better for avoiding crowds.

b) Thien Cung Cave - Heaven Palace Cave

Thien Cung Cave is said to be one of the most beautiful caves of Ha Long Bay in all these specific forms and miraculous lighting.

Why It's Special: The rock formations in the cave of Thien Cung Cave are extremely intricate that the place itself feels like traversing an elongated natural palace. Colored lights inside the cave make the formations appear in shades of green, blue, and pink tones, which make the place look unreal.

Legend: Local legend has it that Thien Cung Cave was associated with the love story of a fairy and a dragon prince. The formations indoors are associated with some of the scenes out of the mythology, adding a bit of romance to the place being visited.

How to Visit: Thien Cung Cave is often grouped into half-day or full-day Ha Long Bay tours, fairly manageable for your time.

c) Dau Go Cave - Wooden Stakes Cave

Dau Go Cave is not only beautiful but has some interesting history enclosed, almost as if to transport one back in time.

Why It's Special: Dau Go Cave is made up of three main chambers containing different types of rock formations in every direction. Small openings allow sunlight to creep through and filter in to produce a pretty pattern, therefore mysterious.

A Bit of History: Dau Go Cave gets its name from a legend saying that this cave was used by the Vietnamese forces during the 13th century for hiding wooden stakes. The same wooden stakes were used against the Mongolian invaders while fighting on the waters. The cavernous expanse has thus turned into a historical site along with being a natural wonder.

How to Visit: Dau Go Cave has become common with most cruise trips around Ha Long Bay, like most of the major caves. A little bit off the main trail, as compared to some other stops, this place may be a little quieter during your journey.

d) Me Cung Cave or Maze Cave

In case of a wish to go slightly off the track, Me Cung Cave is the destination a bit more intimate and slightly more adventurous.

Why It's Special: Me Cung Cave, or "Maze Cave," is a little smaller in comparison to the other famous caves but just as brilliant. Room after room of the cave almost feels like a maze, just like the name states.

The interior of this cave has beautiful stalactites and stalagmites, and the setup allows self-toured exploration inside the cave. This will be ideal for those who love to wander, literally checking every nook and cranny.

How to Visit: Not all cruises include Me Cung, so if you're interested in seeing this one you should ask ahead when you're booking your tour.

3. Tips to Visit Caves in Ha Long Bay

Caving in Ha Long Bay is really an amazing experience, and the more you prepare for it, the more exciting it might prove.

Wear comfortable shoes since some of these caves have rocky or slippery pathways and require non-slippery shoes.

Don't be surprised if you find crowds; it is a very popular place and the caves are pretty busy. Early morning and late afternoon are usually quiet.

Bring a Light Jacket: It can be rather cool inside the caves, and temperature change from the hot humid outdoors can be surprising.

Mind the Environment: Do not touch formations or litter in these natural wonders. Let the caves be preserved for the next visitors through respect.

4. More Valuable Caves in Ha Long Bay

While big caves like Sung Sot and Thien Cung take much of the limelight, there are other caves around Ha Long Bay that offer something different and quiet in comparison:

Kim Quy Cave - the Golden Tortoise Cave - is named so because of its unusual formations. It is an unboisterous, quiet place and not as crowded as the other places.

Hang Trong: Named as such because of the "drum-like" sound of the wind passing through, it is a very special cave and one which differs from the rest.

Tien Ong Cave: This is pretty interesting if you like archaeology because it shows traces of the presence of ancient Vietnamese people.

5. Several interesting facts about caves of Ha Long Bay

Formed over millions of years, it was a result of tectonic movement, erosion, and rainwater working untiringly to create all those fantastic formations seen today. Besides, myths and legends are included in almost every cave of Ha Long Bay; usually, these are some stories about dragons, fairies, or other magical creatures, so one can spice up his imagination a bit.

Unique Flora and Fauna: Caves and their surroundings host unique flora and fauna, with a pretty good number of them found only in Ha Long Bay.