Introduction to Son Doong Cave, Quang Binh

For years, Son Doong Cave has been famous for its majestic scenery and remarkable world records.

An overview of the world’s largest cave

Son Doong Cave is located in the core zone of Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh Province. It belongs to Son Trach Commune, Bo Trach and Minh Hoa districts, within a vast cave system near the Vietnam–Laos border.

The breathtaking beauty of Son Doong Cave, Quang Binh

The discovery history of Son Doong Cave, Quang Binh

Son Doong Cave was first discovered in 1991 by a local man named Ho Khanh.
He found the cave entrance while sheltering from rain. In April 2009, the British Cave Research Association explored the area. Ho Khanh informed them about the cave’s existence. Guided by him, the team entered Son Doong Cave. They conducted surveys, photography, and scientific data collection.

On April 14, 2009, Son Doong was announced as the world’s largest cave. On March 17, 2010, BCRA completed a full survey of the cave. The cave measured nearly nine kilometers long. Its total volume reached 38.5 million cubic meters. On April 30, 2013, Guinness World Records officially recognized Son Doong. It was listed as the world’s largest natural cave.

Son Doong Cave, Quang Binh was first discovered in 1991 by Ho Khanh.

Geological features and cave length

Analysis of fossilized sediment samples dates Son Doong Cave to around three million years ago. It is older than Nuoc Nut Cave, discovered later in Quang Binh.

The cave formed along a fault line of the Truong Son Range. It was eroded by the Rao Thuong River over millions of years. This process created a massive tunnel beneath limestone mountains.

Erosion and collapses formed giant sinkholes open to the surface. Son Doong Cave stretches nearly nine kilometers in length. Some sections reach 200 meters in height and 160 meters in width. They could contain an entire New York City block.

Stalagmite columns inside rise up to 80 meters tall. They are among the tallest ever discovered by experts.

The site is recognized for its geological diversity

Son Doong Cave, Quang Binh and its impressive world records

Son Doong Cave, Quang Binh with impressive world-class records

Son Doong Cave was ranked eighth among 52 must-visit destinations in 2014 by The New York Times. It also ranked first among the world’s 15 most magnificent caves by Bored Panda.

Son Doong is the first and only site recognized by three world record organizations. These include Guinness World Records, World Records Association, and World Record Union.

With such impressive records, Son Doong Cave is an ideal destination for explorers and travelers.

Travel guide to Son Doong Cave

To visit Son Doong Cave, independent travel is not allowed. Visitors must join the Son Doong Expedition Tour by Oxalis Adventure. The tour departs from the Oxalis office in Phong Nha, Quang Binh Province.

Visitor numbers are strictly limited each year. Only 1,000 people are allowed annually. Each tour accepts a maximum of 10 guests. Booking must be made in advance on the Oxalis Adventure website. The tour price is USD 3,000 per person. Currently, tours are fully booked until January 2027.

Son Doong Cave is a natural wonder renowned for its enormous scale, majestic geological formations, and unique structure.

Below is a detailed guide on transportation and the booking process.

To start the Son Doong expedition, visitors must travel to the Oxalis office in Phong Nha, Quang Tri Province. Phong Nha is located approximately 45 kilometers from Dong Hoi City.

The Son Doong Expedition tour includes transfers from Dong Hoi Airport or Dong Hoi Railway Station to Phong Nha. The tour price also covers two hotel nights before and after the expedition. Visitors should inform Oxalis consultants of their arrival time in Dong Hoi in advance. This helps arrange transportation and accommodation smoothly.

From overseas

International travelers can fly to Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat, or Da Nang International Airports. From these airports, visitors continue to Dong Hoi City, Quang Binh Province. Dong Hoi is the closest city to Phong Nha. Travel options include domestic flights to Dong Hoi Airport. Visitors may also choose the North–South railway stopping at Dong Hoi Station. Overnight sleeper buses, taxis, and other transport options are also available.

Detailed transportation guide to Phong Nha

From Hanoi

By plane:

From Hanoi, visitors can fly to Dong Hoi, Quang Tri Province (formerly Quang Binh). Flights are available with Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, and Bamboo Airways. Multiple daily flights operate with ticket prices ranging from 1,000,000 to 4,000,000 VND. Airfare may vary depending on travel time and booking period. Flying is the fastest option for travelers who want to save time.

By train:

From Hanoi, visitors can travel to Dong Hoi Railway Station by several SE train routes. Popular routes include SE1, SE3, SE5, SE7, SE9, SE11, SE19, and JQB1. Train ticket prices range from 400,000 to 1,000,000 VND. The journey takes approximately 10 hours. Night trains such as SE3 or SE19 arrive in Dong Hoi early morning. This option helps travelers save daytime travel hours.

By sleeper bus:

Several bus companies operate sleeper buses from Hanoi to Phong Nha. Popular operators include Hung Long, Camel Travel, and Queen Bus. Buses usually depart between 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM. Arrival time is around 5:00 to 6:00 the next morning. Ticket prices range from 300,000 to 1,000,000 VND. Sleeper buses allow overnight travel and drop passengers directly in Phong Nha.

From Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is over 1,000 kilometers away from Dong Hoi. Flying is the most efficient transportation option for this route. There are fewer flights from Ho Chi Minh City than from Hanoi. Vietnam Airlines and VietJet Air operate direct flights to Dong Hoi Airport. Airfare ranges from 1,000,000 to 4,000,000 VND. Ticket prices may vary depending on travel time and booking period.

From Hue and Da Nang

Oxalis Office in Phong Nha is about 225 km from Hue. It is approximately 300 km from Da Nang. There are no direct flights to Dong Hoi from these cities. The best options are trains, buses, taxis, or private car services.

By train:

Train routes from Hue and Da Nang include SE2, SE4, SE6, SE8, SE10, SE12, and SE20. Travel time averages six to seven hours. Train SE8 arrives at Dong Hoi around 5:00 AM. This schedule is ideal for travel itineraries. Ticket prices range from 200,000 to 450,000 VND.

By bus:

Travelers can take Hanh Luyen bus services. Bus tickets cost approximately 250,000 VND. Passengers are dropped off at Phong Nha or Dong Hoi.

By taxi or private car:

Travelers can book taxis or private cars from Hue, Da Nang, or Hoi An. These services travel directly to Phong Nha. Oxalis Adventure offers private car transfers from these locations. Prices start from 2,800,000 VND per one-way seven-seat vehicle. Travelers may contact Oxalis consultants for booking assistance.

Route to Son Doong Cave

On the first day, guests rest at Commander Lodge to prepare for an extraordinary expedition. In the evening, guests attend a safety briefing, sign a waiver, and receive expedition equipment. Guests should bring trekking shoes and backpacks for guides to check grip and quality. Dinner is served at the Oxalis Home restaurant.

The next morning at around 9:00 AM, Oxalis transfers guests to the trekking point at KM35 on Highway 15. From here, the group treks for two days through forests, steep terrain, trails, rivers, and streams. The journey includes conquering Hang En Cave, the gateway to Son Doong Cave. Guests spend one night camping inside Hang En Cave.

Son Doong expedition travelers trek 25 kilometers across mountains, trails, rivers, streams, and rocky cave walls.

On the second morning, the group continues trekking through the cave. The back exit of Hang En leads deeper into the jungle. By noon, the group reaches the entrance of Son Doong Cave. Guests are equipped with harnesses, helmets, and headlamps for rope descent. The adventure continues inside the world’s largest natural cave. Highlights include Hand of Dog stalagmite and Sinkhole One, known as Watch Out for Dinosaurs. Guests also explore Sinkhole Two, called the Garden of Eden. Many unique geological formations appear only inside Son Doong Cave. The final challenge is the Great Wall of Vietnam. Guests climb ladders and ropes up a massive 90-meter-high cave wall.

After the tour, guests rest for one day at Chay Lap Farmstay. The expedition includes four days and three nights of trekking and cave camping. At noon on day six, Oxalis transfers guests to Dong Hoi Airport or Train Station.

How to Book the Son Doong Expedition Tour with Oxalis Adventure

Visit the Oxalis Adventure website and access the Son Doong Cave Expedition page. Carefully review the itinerary, tour details, and physical requirements. Make sure you fully meet all tour conditions before proceeding. Click “Book Now” once you are ready.

Select an available departure date and click “Book Now.” Complete the registration form with personal, health, fitness, and experience information. All personal information is strictly confidential.

Oxalis Adventure will send an email confirming receipt of your booking request. The consulting team and safety experts will review your application carefully. They will assess your health and fitness eligibility.

Oxalis Adventure will send a confirmation email with payment instructions. Payment options include bank transfer or online payment via OnePay. After payment, Oxalis Adventure will confirm your booking.

A consultant will contact you with preparation guidelines and detailed information. They will support your training process and monitor your health status before departure.

Important Notes:

• Booked tours cannot be sold or transferred to others.
• Guests must provide honest information about health, experience, and physical condition.
• On the first day, guests should arrive in Dong Hoi before 3:00 PM. This ensures timely participation in the safety briefing session.
• During the expedition, guests must follow safety rules and guide instructions.

All Son Doong Expedition tours for 2025 and 2026 are fully booked. Tour schedules for 2027 are currently open for booking. The Son Doong Expedition is among the world’s most famous adventure tours. It attracts a large number of international and domestic travelers. Tour slots fill up quickly, so early booking is strongly recommended.