1. Overview
Son Doong Cave is located in Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park (Quang Binh), discovered in 2009, and recognized by Guinness as the largest natural cave in the world. The cave is more than 9 km long, with some places up to 200 m wide and 150 m high, enough to accommodate a skyscraper. Inside the cave there are also primeval forests, underground rivers, and unique ecosystems that are hard to match anywhere else in the world.
Son Doong Vietnam Tour is a high-end adventure tour organized exclusively by Oxalis Adventure, with a duration of 6 days and 5 nights. Only about 1,000 visitors are allowed to enter each year in order to protect the cave’s fragile ecosystem. The journey involves trekking through forests, crossing streams, sleeping overnight in the cave, and exploring the entire majestic natural wonder.
Overnight camping – a wonderful experience in Son Doong Vietnam Tour. (Source: internet)
2. Son Doong Vietnam Tour Itinerary
2.1. Day 1: Safety briefing – Phong Nha
Immediately after registering for the Son Doong Vietnam Tour, you will be advised on the itinerary and supported to travel to Phong Nha. Visitors will arrive in Dong Hoi and be picked up by Oxalis to go to the hotel.
In the afternoon, you will meet with the safety expert and tour guide and receive necessary equipment. Here, you will be briefed on mandatory regulations and have your trekking shoes and backpack checked to ensure they are suitable for the journey.
After completing the briefing, the group will have dinner at Oxalis Home and get to know each other. At the end of the day, visitors will return to the hotel to rest and prepare for the trekking day to explore Son Doong.
2.2. Day 2: Doong Village – En Cave
In the morning, the group will have breakfast at the hotel before the car picks them up and leaves their luggage with the porter in a dry bag with a maximum weight of 7 kg. Necessary items for the trek must be kept in personal backpacks, while valuable luggage must be checked in at the Oxalis office.
The car takes the group to the starting point at Km35, starting the journey through the jungle, three rocky slopes, and many streams to Doong village – the village of the Bru-Van Kieu people. After lunch and learning about the local culture, the group continues trekking for about 3 hours to enter En Cave.
At the campsite in the cave, visitors can swim in the blue lake and enjoy dinner prepared by the chef. In the evening, rest in the tent to prepare energy for the journey to conquer Son Doong the next day.
Note: If visitors cannot complete the journey or violate safety regulations, Oxalis has the right to request to return to Phong Nha and end the tour without refund. This is to ensure the safety of both individuals and the group.
Ban Doong – Village of the Bru – Van Kieu ethnic group. (Source: Oxalis Adventure)
2.3. Day 3: Cave Entrance – Sinkhole Campsite 1
In the morning of Son Doong Vietnam tour’s day 3, the group explores deeper into En Cave before going through the back door to reach the entrance of Son Doong Cave. After lunch, visitors are equipped with safety belts and guided to climb down into this giant cave.
Inside, you will feel the cold air and magical mist and admire the natural lake and majestic stalactites. The group continues to cross the underground river and climb rocky slopes and sand dunes to reach the first campsite near Sinkhole 1.
In the evening, visitors can swim in the cool underground river before enjoying dinner at the campsite. The campsite is equipped with tents, toilets, and safe resting space.
Note: The water temperature in the underground river is only about 17 – 22 degrees Celsius; visitors should prepare mentally before swimming. This is an impressive experience, but safe according to the instructions of experts.
Hang En is like a beautiful “transit station”, often chosen before conquering Hang Son Doong – the world’s largest cave wonder. (Source: internet)
2.4. Day 4: Garden of Eden – Campsite 2
Today’s journey begins with steep rocky climbs and winding through small cave arches to reach Sinkhole 1- “Vọng Khủng Long”. Here, visitors can take pictures of the majestic scenery and admire the sunlight through the sinkhole if the weather is favorable.
The group continues to climb ropes to overcome the steep terrain and stop for lunch by the beautiful underground lakes. After that, the group moves to “Garden of Eden” in the second sinkhole, which has a panoramic view of the forest inside the cave.
In the afternoon, visitors explore the unique ecosystem in the dark cave, such as blind spiders, blind fish, and cave pearls with magical stalactites. At the end of the day, the group returns to the second campsite, has dinner, and rests in the quiet space in the middle of the cave.
Sinkholes 1 – Wedding cake at “Vọng Khủng Long” (Source: Oxalis Adventure)
2.5. Day 5: Vietnam Wall – Exit – Chay Lap Farmstay
In the morning, visitors sip coffee and admire the beauty of the Garden of Eden from afar in the magical light. After breakfast, the group is equipped with safety belts and detailed instructions to conquer the Vietnam Wall challenge.
To reach the foot of the wall, the group travels by boat through an underground lake or a muddy path if the lake is dry. Here, visitors climb an 18 m high steel ladder, then continue to climb a 70 m rocky slope with the support and close supervision of the safety team.
After completing the challenge, the group has lunch, leaves the cave, and treks back to the starting point. Around 15:00 – 16:00, the whole group returns to Chay Lap Farmstay, ending the Son Doong Vietnam tour with an exciting celebration party.
2.6. Day 6: End of journey, free activities
After breakfast, the car will take you to the airport or Dong Hoi station to end the journey. If you have time, you can visit the idyllic beauty of Quang Binh before leaving.
Suggested destinations for you after the Son Doong Vietnam tour are Chay Lap Riverside, Thien Duong Cave, Suoi Nuoc Mooc, or cycling to explore Bong Lai Valley. In addition, you can visit Pub with Cold Beer to experience unique cuisine.
If you still love adventure, try Oxalis’s short tours, such as exploring the Tu Lan cave system – the setting of the movie “Kong: Skull Island.” Finally, let Oxalis know your departure time so that Oxalis can arrange a pickup, or ask for help booking a room if you want to stay in Phong Nha for a few more days.
Kayaking on Chay River at Chay Lap Riverside. (Source: Chay Lap Farmstay)
3. Conditions for joining the Son Doong Vietnam tour
To join level 5-6 tours such as Son Doong Exploration, visitors must be over 18 years old, in good health, and regularly trek. Those who have experience in mountain climbing and exercise regularly will find it easier to complete the journey.
Basic requirements include the ability to carry a personal backpack when climbing for a long time and have good cardiovascular endurance. Standards such as running 5-10 km per day, completing a half-marathon under 7 hours, or participating in trekking difficult routes will be given priority.
In the last 12 months, you need to have trekked at least one overnight tour and 1-2 day tours with a distance of 8 km and an elevation difference of 300 m. In addition, you need to exercise, such as playing football, cycling, or jogging 3-4 times/week to maintain health.
Participants must be able to run 5 km continuously for 50 minutes and climb 5 floors without difficulty breathing. The age requirement is from 18 to 70, and they must ensure good physical condition and trekking experience before joining the Son Doong Vietnam tour.
Although some guests think Son Doong is not too difficult, there are still cases where assistance is needed to complete the tour. The tour guide has the right to stop the journey and take guests out if they do not meet the physical requirements, and the cost will not be refunded.
4. Risks and safety work
One of the major risks is misjudging the level of adventure and difficulty of the tour. Oxalis classifies tours from level 1 to 6 based on many years of experience, helping visitors choose the right itinerary for their physical condition.
Oxalis requires visitors to be honest when declaring their physical condition to be advised on a training program before the tour. If they are not honest and do not train properly, visitors may be overwhelmed, forced to stop the tour, and bear the additional costs.
In the Son Doong Vietnam tour, there are risks in the forest from itchy leaves, insects, snakes, and centipedes, but Oxalis always clears the path and provides protective gear to minimize the danger. In case of a bite, the team will activate the emergency response procedure with specialized equipment and medical support.
In addition, Oxalis prepares a backup plan for natural incidents such as floods and sets up camp in a safe place, with an exit and food reserves. Tours only operate during the dry season to minimize the risk of natural disasters.
Oxalis strictly prohibits alcohol and stimulants to ensure absolute safety. All visitors must comply with safety regulations and sign a waiver before participating and are fully instructed in skills by a professional team.
You must strictly follow the regulations of the tour company to ensure safety throughout the journey. (Source: internet)
5. Notes when participating in the Son Doong Tour
5.1. Tour opening time & weather characteristics
Son Doong Vietnam tour only operates from January to August every year to ensure safety, avoiding the rainy season. Each season has its own beauty; you can check the weather forecast in Phong Nha–Son Doong on AccuWeather before the trip.
- January–March: The weather is sometimes cold, but there are sunny days; the light shines deep into the cave, creating a magical landscape.
- April–May: The climate is warm, many wild flowers bloom, and you can see clouds and fog in the cave.
- June–August: Summer is hot, but inside the cave it is cool (22–25°C), suitable for swimming in streams and underground lakes.
5.2. Son Doong tour cost & accompanying services
Son Doong Vietnam tour price:
The price of the Son Doong tour is about 3,000 USD/person, including entrance fees, forest environmental services, meals, accommodation, safety equipment, and travel insurance. Oxalis arranges experts, guides, porters, and chefs to serve throughout the journey.
Tour cancellation terms
Son Doong Vietnam tour is limited to 1,000 guests/year, requiring 100% payment upon booking. Cancellation 90 days in advance will cost 7 million VND; 45 days in advance will cost 50%; less than 45 days will cost the entire cost.
Contact
Son Doong is located in the core area of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park; there is no phone signal or wifi. The Oxalis rescue team is equipped with satellite phones and walkie-talkies to ensure safety.
Prepare personal items
Bring long-sleeved trekking clothes, waterproof climbing shoes, a small backpack, personal hygiene items, and medicine. Oxalis provides safety equipment, dry bags, basic shoes, tents, and rescue tools.
6. Conclusion
The Son Doong Vietnam Tour is an experience not for the masses, but for those who truly love to explore and challenge themselves. If you desire to conquer one of the greatest natural wonders in the world, Son Doong is the dream journey.
The tour is directly organized by Oxalis Adventure, and you can contact Asia Luxury Travel for detailed advice, booking support, and additional service arrangements, making your trip the most complete and convenient.
7. Contact :
Phone: +84 965 721 426
Email: sales@asialuxurytravels.com
Website: https://asialuxurytravels.com/
Address: No. 9, Alley 31/7, Phan Dinh Giot Street, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi
