Save Now the Most Detailed Guide to Exploring the Caves of Ha Long

1 General introduction to visiting Ha Long Bay

When visiting Ha Long Bay, you must purchase sightseeing tickets just like when joining activities at tourist attractions. Currently, Ha Long Bay has 5 main routes, each offering a distinct itinerary. If you wish to visit attractions on other routes, you must return to Tuan Chau Port and buy additional tickets or purchase them in advance. According to MIA.vn's observation, most Vietnamese visitors are mainly interested in Route 1 and Route 2.

• Route 1: Includes sightseeing and experiential activities taking place within 4 hours, such as visiting Thien Cung Cave, admiring the scenery at Dinh Huong Islet, and taking a sampan ride or kayaking at Ba Hang Cave.
• Route 2: Takes around 6 hours with various activities such as exploring Sung Sot Cave, viewing Ga Choi Islet (Fighting Cocks Islet), riding a speedboat, and swimming at the beach.

It is evident that Route 2 offers far more exciting activities and entertainment options; therefore, MIA.vn has chosen this route for the journey exploring the caves in Ha Long.

2 Attractions and ticket prices for Route 2

Route 2 is officially named Port - Cave Park Conservation Center. The primary means of transportation along this route is by boat.

• Main attractions on Route 2: Sung Sot Cave, Bo Nau Cave, Luon Cave, Ho Dong Tien Cave, Trong Cave, Trinh Nu Cave, Me Cung Cave, Soi Sim Island, and Ti Top Island.
• Reference ticket prices: 290,000 VND/day, 590,000 VND/2 days 1 night, and 790,000 VND/3 days 2 nights.
• Ticket purchase locations: Tuan Chau Port and Ha Long International Cruise Port.

Tuan Chau Port: Ngoc Chau Ward, Tuan Chau Island, Ha Long. This port is located 11 km from Ha Long city center; although it is quite far and takes more travel time, it compensates by having numerous boats, allowing you to easily choose a vessel that fits your budget.

Ha Long International Cruise Port: No. 9, Ha Long Street, Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long. The port is situated right in the center of Ha Long City, featuring beautiful scenery and great convenience for commuting. The boats here are also large and provide many services, but note that boats are often fully booked on weekends due to the limited number of vessels available.

According to official information from the Ha Long Bay Management Board, considering only the number of day-tour tickets sold, Route 2 accounts for up to 50% of tickets, rivaling and at times surpassing Route 1. Thanks to its numerous attractions and diverse recreational activities, most tourists choose to stay overnight when booking this route.

See more: Explore Co To Island - An intriguing tourist attraction in Ha Long

3 Costs for touring Route 2

When choosing Route 2 to explore the caves in Ha Long, you need to prepare for the following expenses in advance:

• Ha Long Route 2 sightseeing ticket: 290,000 VND/person. If you travel with small children or kids under 7 years old, their tickets are 100% free of charge.
• Boat charter ticket: 200,000 VND/person.
• Dining on board: Minimum 150,000 VND/person.

In total, if you book meals on board, it will cost around 640,000 VND/person; without meals, it costs about 490,000 VND/person. If you want to save on costs, you can book dining directly yourself rather than through a tour package.

4 Detailed itinerary

The first stop is Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave). This is one of the most famous and breathtaking caves in Ha Long Bay; upon reaching this site, you can disembark to tour and admire the spectacular scenery inside. Leaving Sung Sot Cave, the boat will transport you to Luon Cave. Here, you can hire a local rower to steer you through the scenic views or paddle a kayak yourself to explore the cave. In addition, thrill-seekers can rent a speedboat at Luon Cave to travel to Trong Cave or Trinh Nu Cave to experience the exhilarating thrill of cruising at speeds of up to 40 - 50 km/h.

Continuing the journey, the boat will take you to Bo Nau Cave, Trinh Nu Cave, and Trong Cave. Note that for these caves, you can only admire them from the boat. The furthest and most anticipated highlight of this itinerary is Me Cung Cave (Maze Cave). However, depending on the boat you choose and whether there is sufficient travel time, it might be skipped. After visiting Me Cung Cave, you will be taken to Soi Sim Island and Ti Top Island.

At Ti Top Island, you can freely experience hiking up the mountain, taking in panoramic views of Ha Long Bay, and swimming at the beach. You should also pay special attention to health precautions as well as theft prevention, as this island is visited by quite large crowds of tourists.

At Soi Sim Island, you can also hike the trails easily because the pathways here were upgraded and put into operation in early 2019, keeping them pristine and easy to walk on. The beach here is also less crowded and more romantic than Ti Top Island.

5 Ending the journey, the boat will take you back to Tuan Chau Port

Information about attractions on Route 2:

5.1 Sung Sot Cave

This is a massive cave located on Bo Hon Island featuring glittering stalactite formations and mystical pathways leading inside. For this reason, it is named Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave). The main activity here is touring and admiring the scenic wonders inside the cave.

5.2 Bo Nau Cave

Bo Nau Cave is a dry cave offering a magnificent open view overlooking the bay. At this cave, you can only admire the scenery from aboard the boat.

5.3 Luon Cave

Luon Cave is shaped like a tunnel with a submerged floor. Inside the cave lies a small calm lake, surrounded by towering arching cliffs. There are many activities you can experience here, such as kayaking, hiring a rowboat tour, or taking a speedboat.

5.4 Ho Dong Tien Cave

Located on the same Bo Hon Island as Sung Sot Cave, deep inside the cave lies a small lake enclosed by mountains. However, this cave has not yet been opened for tourism exploitation.

5.5 Trong Cave and Trinh Nu Cave

These two caves face each other, and legend has it that a tragic love story between a young couple is tied to these two sites. You can learn more about Trong Cave and Trinh Nu Cave to better appreciate the legend behind these two famous caves.

5.6 Me Cung Cave

Me Cung Cave has a narrow entrance barely wide enough for one person to pass through, leading into a multi-chamber interior. This cave features exquisitely beautiful and intricate stalactites. You can tour and admire the wondrous interior within the cave.

5.7 Ti Top Island and Soi Sim Island

Ti Top Island and Soi Sim Island are two gorgeous islands ideal for hiking, swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the picturesque scenery of Ha Long.

Though brief, these insights on the itinerary and travel experiences exploring the caves of Ha Long shared by MIA.vn will hopefully provide useful information for your upcoming trip to Ha Long. MIA.vn wishes you an unforgettable journey in this magnificent land.