Paradise Cave, Phong Nha Ke-Bang National Park, Vietnam
I’m going to start this off by making a big call. I think the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is one of the least known of the world’s top natural wonders.
That’s not to say it’s completely off the map – domestic tourism is popular here and the number of backpackers who pass through is definitely increasing.
But had you heard of it before? No, I hadn’t either.
The drawcard of the national park is its caves. It’s full of them and they are incredible.
Did you know the world’s largest cave is here? No, I didn’t either.
It is so big that you could fly a Boeing 747 through it. Another way of trying to get a sense of its size – you could fit an entire Manhattan city block inside.
But I didn’t go into this cave, which is called Hang Son Doong.
To protect it, the number of visitors each year is limited to just 300. They have to trek for days to get there and the trip costs at least $3000.
It all sounds amazing – and it has gone on the imaginary bucket list that I have!
Instead, I started my exploration of Phong Nha-Ke Bang with Paradise Cave. It is 34 kilometres long and got its name because some of the first explorers were so amazed by the rock formations that they thought it looked like paradise.
Those first explorers were only here quite recently. The cave wasn’t found until 2005, when a local farmer came across it.
It seems strange to hear that but when you see the entrance for yourself, it makes a bit more sense. There is thick jungle everywhere and it all looks the same – a tangled mess of vines and tall trees.
Only a small hole in a cliff face up a mountain gives a clue to the wonder inside.
As a regular tourist, you can only walk through the first kilometre and a half of Paradise Cave, although there are special tours that can take you further.
This first section is designed for visitors, with a wooden pathway the whole way and tasteful lighting illuminating the special features along the way.
When it comes to these features, there are so many to see. The start of the cave is an enormous cavern, bigger than a stadium, but when you get a bit further in it’s the stalactites, the stalagmites, and the limestone columns that dominate the view.
They come in all different shapes and sizes – thin ones and thick ones, smooth ones and jagged ones.
Some look like rows of guardians, watching over their theatre. Another looks like a house. Another like a waterfall, in suspended animation for millions of years.
I look up at the ceiling of one section and it appears blue with orange markings all across it.
My first thought is that it looks a bit like the paintings of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. But then my attention is drawn to the formations all over the walls that look like they could be straight out of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.
But none of this is manmade, of course. This is a natural beauty and nature has done a better job at creating an inspiring cathedral than any human artist ever could.
It’s difficult to capture in photos the sense of being in Paradise Cave. No single shot can show you the scale, the length, the colours, and the detail.
It’s hard even for my eyes to dart around and see it all. It’s overwhelming in its beauty.
However, what I’m going to do is leave you with a series of photos that I took from inside the cave. Hopefully they give you a bit of an idea as to why I was so stunned by this place.
I really hope you get a chance to see it for yourself one day – and maybe even make it to the biggest cave nearby. Start saving for that!
THE BEST ACCOMMODATION IN PHONG NHA
Most of the basic accommodation is on the main road in town, while the more interesting options are a bit harder to reach.
BACKPACKER
For a good backpacker option, I would recommend staying at the friendly Nguyen Shack.
BUDGET
A good choice for a budget hotel in a convenient location is the Thanh Phat.
HOMESTAY
And for a lovely experience a bit out of town, Jungle Boss Homestay will look after you.
LUXURY
And for something a but more luxurious, you can try the Victory Road Villas.
Awesome post. I love your descriptions, and your photos capture the beauty of the cave even though it is difficult to show the magnificent scale and detail.
Awesome! I’m heading there next month (and doing the trek to Hang En cave, the 3rd largest in the world). Can’t wait! I hope I can capture photos as great as yours 🙂
This is incredible the cae is stunning
Today, I think SON DOONG is the bigest cave in Vietnam.
You can do motorcycle tour to National park but my suggestion is Easy rider (motorbike with driver) always safe.
This is absolutely fantastic! I have been to Phong Nha two weeks ago – the Paradise Cave is mind-blowing! We were lucky enough and be the only ones here, apparently a few bigger groups just left. It was just great!
Have you been to the Dark Cave as well? Fun experience with the mud and so on, but unfortunately the security there is almost non-existent. Almost broke my leg when jumping in the water, the guide just said we should jump and did not point out rocks under water….however, Dark Cave is fun too, just watch your head…or leg!
Yeah, I went to the Dark Cave as well. I didn’t include it in this story because, although it was kind of fun, I wasn’t sure how I felt about the experience. It was really beautiful inside and I wish I could have done a bit of proper photography (the other reason I didn’t include – no good snaps) but they have turned it into a playground. I enjoyed myself but have mixed feelings.
so much love it,. hopong to go there someday
you should visit the deer cave in Borneo im bigger than Paraise and all the cave there’s not as much longer but definitely much more bigger
I hadn’t heard of the Deer Cave. Thanks for the tip – I’ll have a look into it. And hopefully I will get to Borneo soon and maybe I’ll be able to see it for myself!
Very informative article, Mike!. I wonder how you felt when inside those cave. Did you find it scary on your first time. I’d love to know and visit it sometime next year.