9 пещер Вьетнама, которые стоит посетить.

Among the sweltering hot tropics there is a country called Vietnam. Previously known only for the tragic Vietnam War, Vietnam has become famous and a hot spot for adventurers.

In 2009, the largest cave in the world was discovered here. The landscapes of Vietnam are very diverse and unique. There are many vast, impressive caves, and the best part is that not all of them have yet been discovered! This is probably a good motivation for adventurous and experienced speleologists.

For the rest of us who are not so experienced, Vietnam has more than enough smaller and less treacherous caves to explore. So, let's go exploring!

1. Son Doong Cave, Quang Bin Province

Price: 68.700 million Vietnamese dong per person (approximately $3,000)
Level of difficulty: It's very difficult
Best Time: January-August
Suitable for: adventure lovers, speleologists, mountain climbers.

Пещера Шондонг не только самая большая, но и одна из самых длинных пещер в мире. Эти пещеры, расположенные в самом сердце национального парка Фонг Нха Ке Банг в провинции Куанг Бинь, открыты только для нескольких человек каждый год. Шондонг, буквально переводится как «Пещеры горной реки» — это одна из самых больших и впечатляющих пещер.

In fact, it's very hard to get here. Fewer people have ever been here than Everest! The cave is more than five kilometers long, 150 meters wide and over 200 meters high. Huge stalagmites rising above the ground and bright stalactites hanging from the ceiling, combined with sunlight falling through holes in the rocks, fill the cave with an air of ghostliness.

Пещера Шондонг настолько велика, что в ней есть леса и собственный климат. Единственный туроператор, которому разрешено проводить пещерные экспедиции в этом месте, — Oxalis Adventure Tourism. Общая продолжительность похода составляет четыре дня и три ночи, в дополнение к двум дням пребывания в местных отелях до похода.

How to get there — до Фонг Нха Ке Банг (Phong Nha Ke Bang) можно добраться на автобусе из Донг Хой (ближайший аэропорт и железнодорожный вокзал). До него также можно доехать на автобусе из Нин Бин или Катба, или напрямую, арендовав такси или мотоцикл. В ходе экспедиции Oxalis предоставит вам конкретные инструкции по достижению места встречи.

2. Paradise Caves or Thien Duong, Quang Binh Province

Price: 3.5 km: VND 2.650 million per person, 2 km: VND 1.800 million per person
Level of difficulty: for beginners
Best Time: January-August
Suitable for: photographers, the general public

The great cathedral, like the entrance to Paradise Caves, beckons you inside. The vaulted ceiling and impressive stalactites make you feel as if you are really inside a monumental structure.

The 31 kilometers long Paradise Cave is considered one of the longest caves in the world. However, the maximum distance that ordinary people are allowed to travel is 3.5 kilometers. During the rainy season, when the water level is high, the expedition travels no further than 2 kilometers.

You can book an underground tour of Paradise Cave with Phong Nha Farmstay, Easy Tiger Hostel or Phong Nha Discovery. This is a day trip, and the guide will provide you with a flashlight to help you on this journey. You can also have lunch here, swim in a cave, and look through a gap where natural sunlight shines through the rocks.

How to get there — От поворота на шоссе № 20, ведущем к парку Фонг-Нха, вам придётся проехать 13,5 км. Затем сверните на шоссе Хошимина и пройдите 5 км до входа.

3. Tu Lan Caves, Quang Binh Province

Price: 15,000 million VND per person
Level of difficulty: moderate to difficult (you will have to swim)
Best Time: February-August
Suitable for: Adventurers, speleologists, mountain climbers

The Tu Lan Caves, although not as large as Shondong, are capable of providing the greatest number of adventures. These impressive caves are filled with giant stalagmites, and the rocks most commonly found here are karst limestone.

Пещера постоянно орошается реками и озерами. Оксалис — единственный туроператор, который работает в этой области. Говорят, что пещеры Ту Лан являются одними из лучших в мире. Более того, это знаменитая достопримечательность Вьетнама. Здесь доступно множество видов деятельности, включая плавание, исследование темных пещер, скалолазание, спускание по тросу и скоростной спуск по тросу.

The expedition lasts 4 days and 3 nights, plus one night on an exotic farm. This adventure will allow you to immerse yourself in the forest atmosphere and awaken your interest in adventure.

How to get there: Phong Nha Ke Bang can be reached by bus from Dong Hoi (the nearest airport and train station). It can also be reached by bus from Nin Binh or Katb, or directly by renting a cab or motorcycle. Oxalis will provide you with specific instructions on how to get to the rendezvous point during the expedition.

4. Hang En Cave, Quang Bin Province

Price: VND 1,100 per person
Level of difficulty: moderate
Best Time: December-August
Suitable for: Adventurers, speleologists, mountain climbers

Hang En, the third largest cave in the world, will make you feel as if you were transported directly to a Disney movie. Located deep inside Fong Nha Ke Bang, these caves are surrounded by limestone mountains, a canopy of jungle and the lush Rao Tuong River.

The entrance to the cave is through a gap in the rock. Narrow trails extend for a long distance, ending at an aquamarine lake with sandy beaches. The lake may seem like the end point of the cave, but a narrow path leads from this cave to rocky ledges that you have to climb up.

At the top, you can admire the beauty of nature through an arched exit. This two-day trip includes a swim in the lake in the cave, so you should pack everything you need for a swim.

How to get there: Phong Nha Ke Bang can be reached by bus from Dong Hoi (the nearest airport and train station). It can also be reached by bus from Nin Binh or Catba, or directly by renting a cab or motorcycle. Oxalis will provide you with specific instructions during the expedition and you will be able to get to the meeting point without any problems.

5. Dau Go Caves, Halong Bay

Price: Boat ride: VND 1.500 million, entrance: VND 30,000 per person
Level of difficulty: light
Best Time: January-October
Suitable for: adventurers, speleologists, mountain climbers.

Пещера Дау Го (Пещеры с деревянными кольями) — самый большой и красивый грот в районе залива Халонг. Эта пещера расположена примерно в 6 километрах от пристани Бай Чай в Халонге, в 27 метрах над уровнем моря.

The entrance is 12 meters wide and 17 meters high. Inside the cave is a huge space of 5000 square meters. The height of the dome is 25 meters. Inside you can find stalagmites and stalactites of different shapes, illuminated by a mysterious light.

It gives a haunting and ethereal appearance. The best description of this place is a cave in the mountains in the middle of the ocean. The Dow Go Caves can only be reached by boat. The cave walk is just a day trip that includes climbing and exploring the cave.

How to get there: You can get from Halong City by boat or ferry. If you are on a standard cruise, the cruise operator will take care of the transportation.

6. Tam Coc Caves, Ninh Binh

Price: Entrance: VND 55,000 per person, boat to the caves: VND 150,000
Level of difficulty: light
Best Time: January-October
Suitable for: photographers, family recreation, general public, teenagers.

«Там Кок» буквально переводится как три пещеры. Там Кок представляет собой коллекцию трех пещер — Ханг Ка, Ханг Джуа и Ханг Куои. Каждая из них погружена в реку Нго Донг. Следовательно, в них нет этажей. С материка до этого места можно добраться только на лодке.

The caves were created by the erosion of rocks. There are many "stalagmites", strange and surprising shapes, as well as wild vegetation. Hang KaSa is the first and largest cave. It extends 127 meters in length, and the entrance spans 20 meters in width and 2 meters in height.

Крыша пещеры похожа на пустынную равнину. Ханг Джуа длиной 70 метров, а Хан Цой — 45 метров. Эти замечательные известняковые карсты, безусловно, стоит увидеть. На Пир Ван Лам вы сможете найти множество сампанов или маленьких лодок. Весь осмотр пещеры на лодках занимает около четырех часов.

How to get there: There are frequent buses to Ninh Binh from Hanoi. The bus ticket costs 70,000 to 100,000 VND per person. Then you have to take a cab or motorcycle.

7. Hang Va Caves, Quang Bin Province

Price: 1.200 million Vietnamese dong per person
Level of difficulty: moderate to complex
Best Time: February-August
Suitable for: adventurers, speleologists, mountain climbers.

The entrance to the Hang Wa Caves at first glance seems to be unassuming and unimpressive. However, take one step inside the caves and you will take your breath away. A small rockfall on a hill surrounded by valleys serves as the entrance to Hang Wa Caves. The entrance is surrounded on all sides by rocks. After descending about 15 meters, you will find yourself at the creek.

This stream continues to flow three hundred and sixty-five days a year. You have to go upstream. And after about 350 meters, a narrow cave will lead to a spectacular place. In front of you will open up an open space consisting of numerous dry lakes, partially filled with water.

Над поверхностью воды возвышаются конусообразные кальцитовые скальные структуры. Этот регион называется «Башня конусов». Oxalis — единственный туроператор, который работает в этой области. Вся экспедиция в пещеры Ханг Ва занимает 2 дня и 1 ночь. Экскурсия включает плавание и скалолазание.

How to get there: Phong Nha Ke Bang can be reached by bus from Dong Hoi (the nearest airport and train station). It can also be reached by bus from Nin Binh or Cat Binh, or directly by renting a cab or motorcycle. Oxalis will provide you with specific instructions during the expedition and you will be able to get to the rendezvous point.

8. Phong Nha Cave, Quang Bin Province

Price: Admission: 300 thousand dong per person,
Price per boat: VND 360,000 (for 14 passengers)
Level of difficulty: moderate to complex
Best Time: October-December
Suitable for: adventure lovers, speleologists, climbers

Phong Nha is one of the first caves discovered in Vietnam. Today it is one of the most visited caves in the country. The topography of the cave varies greatly, making it a delightful place. Although only the first 1.5 km of the 44 km are open to tourists.

This is one of the few caves in Vietnam where you can find wildlife preserved in the sanctuary at the entrance to the mysterious room. You can get here by boat, along the Son River, which runs through this mountain system. Inside, there is a twilight zone and a dark zone, each with its own mystical charm and impressive beauty.

The interior is covered with many stalagmites and stalactites, which are beautifully lit by the lights around them. The cave's waters are home to numerous exotic sea creatures such as crabs, eels, shrimp and other species. Only go to Phong Nha Caves through trusted tour operators.

How to get there: Phong Nha Ke Bang can be reached by bus from Dong Hoi (the nearest airport and train station). It can also be reached by bus from Nin Binh or Cat Binh, or directly by renting a cab or motorcycle. The only way to get to Phong Nha Cave is by boat on the Son River, which will be provided either by a tour operator or at the Phong Nha Tourist Center.

9. Nuoc Nut Cave, Quang Bin Province

Price: VND 800 per person
Level of difficulty: mild to moderate
Best Time: January-June
Suitable for: photographers, family recreation, general public, teenagers.

The caves of Nuos Nut provide a great opportunity for budding caving enthusiasts. You can get a taste of such adventures and explore the caves of Vietnam.

The Nuok Nut Caves are located right in the middle of a valley surrounded by rocks. After crossing the cave, you have to cross 500 meters and then climb a wall 15 meters high, after which you will find yourself at the stalactite lake. The local stalactites have a unique pyramidal shape that is found almost anywhere in the world. The one-day (full-day) expedition includes swimming and resting on the sand.

Oxalis will provide you with specific instructions during your expedition. Vietnam's mysterious large caves have become a favorite destination for many explorers and adventurers. Many tourists and speleologists from all over the world come here every year. No matter what your goals are, Vietnam provides plenty of opportunities.