A 1.5-Hour Journey Exploring Vung Duc Cave in Bai Tu Long Bay

1 A brief introduction to Vung Duc Cave

Vung Duc Cave is part of the Vung Duc Cave Tourist Area in Cam Pha, located right on the shore of Bai Tu Long Bay and surrounded by the Ban Co mountain range, creating an open and beautiful landscape. As soon as I arrived, I could clearly feel the tranquility and separation from the noise commonly found at crowded tourist attractions.

In my experience, getting here has become much easier since the 18.7-kilometer Ha Long - Cam Pha coastal road was completed with 6 lanes. This route is truly worth experiencing: there are mountains on one side and the sea on the other, and you can stop to enjoy the scenery almost anywhere along the way. When you reach the intersection with Ben Tau Road in Cam Pha City, simply turn toward Vung Duc and continue for about 1km to arrive.

Vung Duc Cave is a complex of 5 interconnected caves: Thien Dang Cave, Long Van Cave, Ngo Ngang Cave, Kim Quy Cave and Cung Dinh Cave (also known as Bat Cave). The caves are arranged at gradually increasing elevations, so there are sections where you have to climb quite a number of stone steps.

However, I found that the area has been equipped with elevators, a lighting system and walkways since 1999, so visiting is still fairly convenient and not as strenuous as I initially imagined.

2 What is interesting about exploring Vung Duc Cave?

2.1 Thien Dang Cave

The first stop on my journey was Thien Dang Cave, located 46m above sea level. The cave has 5 interconnected entrances, including 2 main entrances for entering and exiting. The interior is quite spacious and level, featuring many lively stalactite formations. What impressed me most was the cave ceiling, with a cluster of stone lamps hanging in midair, creating a feeling that was both strange and magical.

To reach the cave, I took the main entrance or followed the mountainside. Once inside, it was easy to see the soft, hanging stone curtains. In particular, the fairly thick layers of silvery mineral deposits created a beautiful sparkling effect when illuminated.

2.2 Long Van Cave

Next was Long Van Cave, whose space resembles a “stone palace,” located about 50m above sea level. The cave is divided into upper and lower branches, with each area having its own character. The rock formations inside come in many different shapes; if you look closely, they may resemble elephants, swans, bells or lotus pedestals.

In the middle of the cave is a large stalactite formation extending from the ceiling to the floor. It contains many details resembling a dragon's head and a lithophone, and notably has a round shape in the center that looks like an emblem.

2.3 Kim Quy Cave and Ngo Ngang Cave

Leaving Long Van Cave, I followed the path to Kim Quy Cave and Ngo Ngang Cave. These two stops are next to each other along the route, allowing the visit to continue without interruption. Each cave has its own distinctive beauty, continuing to create a sense of discovery.

2.4 Cung Dinh Cave

The final stop is Cung Dinh Cave, which is also the largest cave in the entire system. The space here is very spacious, able to accommodate around 1,000 people, and is often used to host major events.

In addition to sightseeing, I could also enjoy dishes prepared from seafood specialties of the Quang Ninh coastal region here, which is quite interesting if you want to combine the visit with a culinary experience.

3 Ticket prices and actual visiting time

The ticket price for visiting the entire Vung Duc cave area (including all 5 caves) is:

- 120,000 VND/person for adults and children over 1.4m tall

- 60,000 VND/person for children from 1m to 1.4m tall

The entire route takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. In my experience, this is a reasonable amount of time—not too long, but still enough to fully explore the caves.

4 Why does Vung Duc Cave attract visitors?

What I, along with many other visitors, easily noticed is that the stalactite system in Vung Duc Cave is very beautiful, with many different shapes that create a feeling of both novelty and imagination as you observe them.

The caves formed over millions of years but have still retained their pristine character, without being overly affected. The softly curving stalactite layers and intricate lines make the entire space appear naturally sculpted.

From some locations, you can see a panoramic view of Bai Tu Long Bay from above, with rocky islands rising and falling across the water, providing a particularly worthwhile perspective during the trip.

In addition, because it is located near Vung Duc wharf, if you have time you can easily combine your visit with other destinations in the bay, such as Ba Mun National Park, The Vang Island and Cong Tay Island Tourist Area,… or travel farther to Quan Lan and Co To to extend your exploration.

5 FAQ - Frequently asked questions about Vung Duc Cave

5.1 Is Vung Duc Cave worth visiting?

Yes. This destination is suitable if you want to find a quiet place with beautiful scenery that is not as crowded as Ha Long.

5.2 Is visiting Vung Duc Cave difficult?

Not too difficult. Although there are stone steps, elevators and supportive walkways are available, making it fairly easy to get around.

5.3 How much time should be spent visiting Vung Duc Cave?

About 1.5 hours is a reasonable amount of time to explore the entire cave area.

5.4 What nearby destinations can be combined with a visit to Vung Duc Cave?

You can combine the visit with Bai Tu Long Bay, Ba Mun, Quan Lan or Co To, depending on your available time.

The journey exploring Vung Duc Cave is not too long but left me with many impressions, from its unique stalactite system to the panoramic views of Bai Tu Long Bay. This is a suitable destination for short trips that combine relaxation with experiencing nature. If you are planning an upcoming trip to Quang Ninh, don't forget to prepare a quality suitcase to make your journey lighter and more comfortable!