Halong Bay, one of the world's natural heritages recognized by UNESCO, is a fantastic attraction in the North of Vietnam. Coming here, you will have a chance to admire the unspoiled natural scenery of the limestone mountains undulating the sea. Besides, you can explore beautiful, and mysterious caves formed thousands of years ago. Let's find out the top 05 caves in Halong Bay with Handspan Travel Indochina!

This article will give you more detailed information about these caves below.

Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave)

• Location: Bo Hon Island Range, x14 kilometers from Tuan Chau Marina

Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave) is one of the most beautiful caves in Halong Bay that you should not miss. Coming here, you will have a chance to admire stunning stalagmites and learn about the legend of Saint Giong (Thanh Giong) in Vietnam. 

Sung Sot Cave

From the port on Bo Hon Island, you will have to climb 50 steep stone steps and go down 10 steps to reach the cave's door, with a height of 25 meters. Passing through a narrow rock crevice and an 800-meter stone road, you will be amazed by the mysterious and charming beauty of Sung Sot Cave. 

Climbing to Sung Sot Cave

Sung Sot Cave has two main compartments. The first compartment looks like a theatre with a glistening lighting system illuminating the stalactites and the stone statues in different shapes. The second compartment has a different scenery, with a spacious capacity of up to 1000 people. Going deeper inside, you will detect small ponds, stone artifacts in the shape of a horse, and a long sword related to the story of Saint Giong defeating the An enemy and chasing demons. 

Sung Sot Cave's first compartment

Sung Sot Cave's second compartment

The sword-shaped stone inside Sung Sot Cave

Continue walking, you will reach a garden in the highest place of the cave. Here you can find a charming landscape with a small lake, various kinds of trees, flowers, and birds. 

Now, it's time to visit Sung Sot Cave. Indeed, you will be astonished by the beauty of the cave and understand why the cave is called "Surprise Cave." For more information about Sung Sot Cave, please refer to our article: Exploring Sung Sot Cave, a unique masterpiece in Halong Bay you should not miss. 

Thien Cung Cave

• Location: near Dau Go Cave, to the North of Dau Go Island, 4 kilometers from Tuan Chau Marina

Thien Cung Cave

Also among the list of the ideal caves in Halong Bay, Thien Cung Cave appeals to tourists with countless stalagmites and stalactites. The cave is named Thien Cung because there is a layer of phosphorescent inside that emits fanciful light. Besides, there is a door connecting with the sky, which creates splendid scenery when the sunlight shines in. 

Natural light inside Thien Cung Cave

To reach Thien Cung Cave, you must pass through craggy cliffs covered by trees. After going through a narrow door, you will see the cave's landscape.

Climbing to the Thien Cung Cave

The deeper you walk inside the cave, the more exciting things you will find. The cave is divided into three areas with distinct characteristics as below.

• First compartment

Stepping into the first compartment of the cave, you will have an opportunity to adore the massive painting of ancient fairy-tale characters with flexible and delicate features in the East. Whereas in the North, you will see a system of stalactites hanging down. 

Thien Cung Cave's first compartment

• Second compartment: the cave's center

Coming to the second compartment of Thien Cung Cave, you will find four pillars with mysterious carved shapes from the foot to the top of the column. This area is the most beautiful cave, with glistening stalactites hanging down under the arch of the cave.

Thien Cung Cave's second compartment

• Third compartment

The third compartment of the cave impresses tourists with the fuzzy space and magnificent stalagmites. Besides, you can also see clear ponds with water flowing all year round.

If you would like to know more about Thien Cung Cave before coming here, please read our article: Exploring Thien Cung Cave, the underground paradise in Halong Bay.

Thanks to the stunning landscape inside, Thien Cung Cave is worth being one of the fascinating caves in Halong Bay. Let's come here and admire the cave on your own!

Me Cung Cave

• Location: 2 kilometers from Ti Top Islet to the Southwest, 14 kilometers from Tuan Chau Marina

Me Cung Cave is also among the caves in Halong Bay you may not want to be missed. This cave is a museum lying halfway up the mountain, with countless precious archaeological vestiges. Let's explore the cave with us!

• Me Cung Cave's cultural vestiges

The Me Cung Cave has cultural vestiges dating from 7000 to 10000 years ago. From the cave's door and two sides of the entrance to the stone roof, you will see intact cement-shell sediments, mussel shells, and seashells. In addition, fossilized and semi-fossilized animal bones associated with the sacrificial rituals of the ancient Vietnamese people are also found here. 

Melania shell remains inside Me Cung Cave

• Me Cung Cave's enchanting beauty

Besides cultural vestiges, Me Cung Cave appeals to tourists through mesmerizing elegance. The most outstanding characteristic of the cave is its large stone pillars formed after tens of thousands of years due to stalagmites and stalactites growing from the ground and hanging from the cave's ceiling. Also, there is a shimmering and sparkling system of light inside the cave. Climbing over a few jagged stone steps along the way to the cave's door, you will find a crystal pond, the gathering place of coral and crab. 

Stalagmites inside Me Cung Cave

Stalagmites inside Me Cung Cave​​​​​​

Dau Go Cave

• Location: 3 kilometers from Tuan Chau Marina, 300 meters from Thien Cung Cave

Dau Go Cave

Dau Go Cave is also one of the caves in Halong Bay with a majestic landscape. The cave is 27 meters above sea level and has a total area of 5000 meter squares. Unlike other caves in Halong Bay with only stalagmites and ponds, Dau Go Cave has a diverse flora system thanks to the vast cave's door. Air and light inside the cave create conditions for ferns, woody plants, mosses, etc. Especially you can also catch up with rare swallows in the cave. 

When getting inside the cave, you will be amazed by the pristine beauty and the vast space, with three main compartments. Let's explore the charm of each compartment with us!

• First compartment

The first area is nearest to the cave's door; therefore, it is full of natural light. Coming here, you will see stalactites with many vivid shapes like turtles, lions, hens, etc., depending on your imagination. The cave's ceiling looks like a giant oil painting with glittering colors.

Dau Go Cave's first compartment

• Second compartment

After exploring the first compartment and going through a narrow slot, you will reach the second compartment. This compartment resembles a mini photo of Ha Long Bay with many large rocks protruding above the waves created by nature. Although the amount of natural light inside this area is not much, there are glistening lighting systems instead, which help you easily move and observe the scenery. 

Dau Go Cave's second compartment

• Third compartment

Stepping foot into the third compartment, you will be surprised by the suddenly expanded cave. In this area, you will find a well with clear fresh water in all seasons. Besides, the strange shapes of natural stalagmites will make you think of an old castle with massive and majestic architecture.

Don't hesitate and miss the opportunity to admire the masterpiece Dau Go cave, one of the most pristine and beautiful caves in Halong Bay.

Luon Cave

Luon Cave, 14 kilometers from Tuan Chau Marina, is also worth visiting. While walking to explore other caves in Halong Bay, you will have to stay on a boat because this cave has a flooded floor and opens to the sea. Luon Cave combines natural characteristics, including cliffs, mountains, sea, and high biodiversity. Especially you can find white monkeys on the cliffs around the cave. 

Luon Cave

Getting through the impressive archway, you will admire stunning stalagmites, fossil snail shells, and ferns, and orchids dropping from the cliffs. Also, there is a calm and blue lake in the middle of the cave, connected to the sea by a tunnel. 

The best way to explore the Luon Cave is by kayaking. Let's rent a kayak for VND 50,000 for two people and wriggle through the cave together. You will have a chance to immerse yourself in the majestic scenery and the sound of nature. Besides kayaking, you can also stay on a bamboo boat if you are in a group of 5 to 6 people, at VND 30,000 per person. Staying on the boat, you will have an opportunity to appreciate the landscape while listening to the locals telling exciting stories.

Kayaking in Luon Cave

Boating in Luon Cave

In conclusion, you have just learned some detailed information about the top amazing caves in Halong Bay. If you want to visit these two caves, you can choose among the five sightseeing routes mentioned in the post: Exploring Halong Bay - The world heritage site and natural wonder. 

For booking a day tour or an overnight tour in Halong Bay, please do not hesitate to contact the Handspan team. Below are some recommended tours you may want to refer to.

Let's prepare your luggage, travel to Halong Bay, and have your own experiences!