In this newsletter, we hope to pique your curiosity with a truly unique experience that can only be found in the enormous UNESCO World Heritage Site of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Central Vietnam, close to the Laotian border. This park is rich in geological history and magnificent scenery. It is also an area of expansive mind-boggling caves, giving it the moniker, cave kingdom of the world.
It is noteworthy that Vietnam is host to the largest and most majestic cave in the world. In 1990 a local hunter stumbled across a cave entrance in remote and dense jungle terrain while he was seeking shelter from a storm. He subsequently forgot about its location. It was rediscovered in 2009 by members of the British Cave Research Association after extensive exploration. This area is an explorer’s paradise, hosting some of the biggest and most fascinating caves ever seen by humankind. The Hang Son Doong area is large enough to hold a 747 and tall enough to hold a 40-story skyscraper.
Underground in the cave, the intricate carvings, formations, and colorations are strangely captivating and somewhat otherworldly.
The four-night expedition to Hang Son Doong will allow you to immerse yourself in nature, relax, and savor any challenges with the camaraderie of your group. On every step of this journey, you will be mesmerized by the sights, and even the beauty of the jungle that manages to exist underground. Your journey will also include some of the rarest campsites in the world, all underground. You will be completely safe under the guidance of 27 fully trained escorts, including 1 tour guide, 1 cave safety specialist, 6 safety assistants, 2 chefs, and 17 porters. These are all experts trained by the British-Vietnam Caving Association. Between January and August every year, strict government control allows only a few thousand guests to explore this area, with a maximum of 10 guests per group. It is essential to plan at least a year in advance to access this rare experience. V’explore works closely with Oxalis, the only authorized organization in Vietnam to structure expeditions to this cave, so you can enjoy your adventure without compromising safety.
In addition to Hang Son Doong, there are also opportunities for shorter expeditions in other parts of the cave system depending on your level of adventure and physical fitness.
It is conceivable that if not for a storm and a hunter looking for shelter, this cave system might never have been found. It is well hidden from civilization on top of one of thousands of limestone monoliths covered by dense vegetation. Underground rivers disappear into the depths and crevices of the earth, leaving the cave system not yet fully explored. There are still many surprises waiting to be discovered.
There is no comparable experience in the world after you have traversed the jungle, scaled mountainous paths, crossed rivers both above and underground, and descended into the magnificent bowels of the earth. Underground, having experienced the peace wrought by complete silence and no outside intrusions, you will forever be reminded of a tranquility that you may long to replicate in the outside world.
Explore with us on one of our exclusive small group tours to Hang Son Doong in 2026. We offer several full programs along with pre- and post-cave experiences.
Please login to the V’explore link below for further information on our small group tours and to read more about Hang Son Doong