Hang Son Doong is the world’s largest cave. It was first explored in 2008 and opened to tours through Oxalis in 2014. I was one of the lucky first to get on these tours and explored the cave in July & August of 2014. It was a life-changing experience where I met a tribe living in the jungle before camping in some of the most beautiful places on Earth. Enjoy these daily recounts full of vivid photographs and an exciting narrative!
Day 1: Through the Jungle to Hang En
Day 2: Phong Nha Jungles & Hang Son Doong Decent
Day 3: Watch out for Dinosaurs
Day 4: The Great Wall of Vietnam
Day 4: The Most Glorious Bath Ever Taken
Unfortunately my 3rd spare battery got dunked and I was forced to simply enjoy the splendor inside these caves after Day 4. The narrative may one day see the light of day but until then I hope you enjoy these articles!
Son Doong is one of the best hikes in the world. Check out these other great hikes that all over Asia. Have you been to Son Doong or are you planning on going? Leave a comment below with questions or your favorite part of the cave!
49 comments
[…] told my (4th grade Korean ESL) students about Son Doong and how I’ll be spending a week in the world’s largest […]
Wow, the cave looked so different! Are these photos from 2014? I visited this cave, and it’s getting easier to go through inside. Lucky you for experiencing it in this exciting way! 🙂
The photos are all from August 2014. As far as I know the only way to get into Hang Son Doong is with Oxalis tours and they are usually booked WELL in advance. I was definitely lucky and had been following the cave since it was discovered in 2009 and was one of the first people to sign up.
[…] Phong Nha is also famous Hang Son Doong, the world’s largest cave! Check out my blogging buddy’s week-long adventure trekking through the Jungle and camping in the caves. […]
Wow – your photos are incredible, though I’m sure they don’t do the actual cave justice. Looks a bit scary though – I’d expect creepy monsters to be lurking in the shadows! Lol.
Nothing can do this cave justice except experiencing it firsthand. The only scary critters were some spiders and a few snakes but we kept our distance from them.
Beautiful pictures of an awe inspiring place. Almost like a Journey to the Centre of the Earth. An adventure you will never forget.
Wow, these shots are truly incredible. The lighting looks so atmospheric and the first shot really does do a great job in portraying the vastness of the cave. Unfortunate to hear about your spare battery but nevertheless, a great job capturing a spectacular setting
The atmosphere inside is so unique. At a few points we were even rained on inside the cave because it has its own weather patterns!
Oh wow, there’s something so magical about caves. You’re so lucky to have been able to tour the largest one! Beautiful photos! and meeting a tribe living in the jungle sounds too good to be true! Thanks for sharing your inspirational adventures 🙂
Thanks Olena, It was absolutely amazing. Even though I was so excited to see the caves having tea with the tribe was one of the most memorable parts of the whole experience.
It’s incredible how such a big group of caves have been discovered only in 2008!
Anyway, I ABSOLUTELY want to go there, I don’t care if it’s uncomfortable, hot, cold or whatever, I want to go there!
If you can handle trekking you’ll love it. Its such a magical place. Gotta plan waaaay ahead though. Oxalis sells out a year or more in advance.
Now this is pretty amazing! It looks so majestic in the caves. Did you get to explore the whole thing? Can’t believe that the biggest cave in the world. Really cool!
Mary, we explored most of it. There are a few passages that we didn’t go in because there isn’t as much to see. Oxalis is the only company legally allowed to take people into the cave. We camped inside Son Doong for 3 nights and Hang En for 2 nights. Without a doubt the most epic thing I’ve ever done
The Garden of Edam looks like a place right out of the dreams. What would be a good time to visit?
Anytime you can book a tour with Oxalis is a good time. They sell out WAY in advance. At one point the representative told me they were booked 3 years ahead.
Incredible journey through the caves! The pictures are full of mystery.
I have visited smaller caves and can sound nothing like yours. So in a way this is inspiring to me.
Thanks for your kind words. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos!
Whoa, the photos alone make me imagine how massive this cave would be. I did my fair share of spelunking before, but there were some moments when I would feel claustrophobic. You seem to enjoy your adventure in hang son doong. Maybe I would try and conquer some fears and experience something similar next time.
The cave looks similar to the one I had been in India – Belum caves. But these ones seem to be certainly huge. Lovely pics. Thanks for the article.
The Belum caves sound fun. I’m heading that way in March and hope I can stop by.
I never asked myself which is the biggest cave in the world and it was really interesting to read this but even more interesting to look at the gorgeous mystical photos (I can’t help it I am more of a visual type of person). Curious to know that it was explored only in 2008 and open in 2014. So soon! Great for you being one of the first visitors, sounds like the perfect experience!
Whoa! Looks magical! Your photos are great man! Will consider going there when I get the chance to travel in Vietnam. This place seems to be interesting in every ways.
Its a once in a lifetime trip and I highly recommend it!
This was one of the most awesomely / jaw-dropping posts that are out there!
Hang Son Doong seems to be an out of this world experience! Mother nature is so full of surprises!
Thanks Vihav! It definitely was an out of this world experience. Next up Mars?
wow what an amazing place… it s completely primal… reminded me of Jule’s Verne’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth”
I was thinking of Jules Verne while trekking through the cave! Made me wish I brought that book but instead I had my journal.
This experience must surely be out of the world. The pictures are so intriguing. Caves always evoke in me feelings of excitement and mysterious awe. The world’s largest cave must really be something.
Thanks for reading! It was out of this world indeed, a once in a lifetime experience… now if only I could go back 😉
Oh my goodness, this cave is stunning. And I can’t imagine how big it must be if your tents looked as small as that. Must’ve been a super cool experience!
So awesome that you’ve had the opportunity to get there already. I was just talking about this place with a friend a few weeks back. Note to self, keep batteries in a waterproof case!
Oh wow, this place is incredible! I love caves and adventure travelling in general, but I’ve never seen such a huge place, the interior is just massive!
Definitely something that will go straight to my bucket list, thanks for sharing!
Its unbelievably large and an incredible experience if you like adventures. Glad you found it and hope one day you can cross it off your bucket list!
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