HANG EN CAVE ADVENTURE 2D1N

Central Vietnam

Location

Phong Nha, Quảng Trị

BEST SEASON

Dec to mid-Sep

AVAILABILITY

3-4 departures/ week

TOUR OPERATOR

Oxalis Adventure

LEVEL

Moderate

DURATION

2 Days 1 Night

GROUP SIZE

2-16 guests

ACCOMODATION

Camping

AGE

16-70

CAVING

3km

SWIMMING

optional

TREKKING

21km

MORE INFOMATION

OVERVIEW

ITINERARY

PHYSICAL FITNESS REQUIREMENT

OVERVIEW

Imagine sleeping on a soft, sandy beach completely enclosed by a towering mountain, illuminated only by starlight and the glow of a campfire.

Welcome to Hang En, the world’s third-largest cave!
This 2D1N expedition offers a rare chance to slow down and connect intimately with one of the planet’s most spectacular natural wonders. From the sweeping jungle canopy of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park to the jaw-dropping scale of the cave’s main archway, every step of this journey is designed to leave an indelible mark on your soul.

HIGHLIGHT

Conquer the Hang En cave – the 3rd largest cave in the world
Stay one night in the cave, next to the turquoise water
Stop at Doong village – home to 12 families of Bru – Van Kieu Ethnic minority
High chance to witness the spectacular sunbeam
Into the pristine rain forest in the largest National park in Vietnam: Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park.

ITINERARY

DAY 1: PHONG NHA - DOONG VILLAGE - HANG EN CAVE

7:3-8:00 AM

Our English-speaking tour guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel in Phong Nha. You will arrive at Oxalis office.

Tour briefing here.

9:30AM

Depart for the trekking point along the Ho Chi Minh trail.

10:00AM

The adventure starts with a descent down a steep hill into the jungle, meeting the Rao Thuong Stream. After 1.5 hours of trekking and wading through crystal-clear waters, you will arrive at Ban Doong Village. Located in the core zone of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, this isolated village is home to a minority ethnic community.

11:30AM

At Doong village, you will break for lunch and gain insight into their unique way of life.

12:30PM

The trek continues for another 3 hours through lush jungle and multiple river crossings until the massive arch of Hang En Cave looms into view.

3:30PM

At the cave entrance, you will equip your helmet and headlamp to tackle a rocky climb. Reaching the top of the slope, you are rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view of the camp set against the cave’s colossal interior.

After settling into your tent, take a refreshing swim in the turquoise lake adjacent to the campsite. The day concludes with a savory dinner served right in the heart of the cave – an unforgettable start to your expedition.

DAY 2: HANG EN. - PHONG NHA

7:30AM

Breakfast at the campsite with the sounds of swallows and wild animals.

8:30AM

You will climb the rocky sections behind the campsite to explore the deeper recesses of the cave. Here, you can admire magnificent stalactites and stalagmites while learning interesting facts about the cave’s geology. From high up on the rocks at the back of the cave, a stunning new perspective of the campsite opens up – be sure to capture this moment, as it is one of the most unique photo opportunities in the world.

9:30AM

Wading through underground streams, the group will proceed to the jaw-dropping “back door” of Hang En, where a massive sandy floor meets the jungle outside. Take time to contemplate the magnificence gifted by Mother Nature.

10:30AM

Back to the camp for lunch and a brief rest before beginning the journey home.

12:00PM

Leaving the cave behind, the group retraces the path through the jungle, crossing the river multiple times.

The adventure concludes with a physical challenge: climbing a steep jungle hill with an elevation gain of 450m. At the summit, our driver will be waiting with ice-cold beverages – a well-deserved treat after your expedition.

18:00PM

Arrive at your hotel in Phong Nha.

PRICING

The Cost Includes

Pick-up and drop-off from Phong Nha.
Drinking water
Food: Breakfast (Day 2), Lunch (Day 1, Day 2), Dinner (Day 1). Vegan/ Vegetarian is upon request.
Professional English-speaking tour guide, safety assistants and porters.
Safety equipment: helmets, harnesses, headlights, gloves and other safety equipment.
Travel Insurance: maximum compensation of VND 10,000,000/ case.
National Park fee

The Cost Excludes

Gratuities for the tour guide, driver and porter team.
Extra drinks or snacks that are not mentioned above.

WHAT TO BRING

Essential clothing

Trekking clothes:

1-2 quick-dry, bright, long-sleeved shirt
1-2 pair of – long trekking pants (quick-dry)
1 waterproof jacket (for winter months November to March)
1 pair of good gripping trekking/approach closed shoes. Heavyweight trekking boots are NOT necessary
2 pair of calf-length, thick socks
1 medium size backpack (20L-25L) to carry stuff that you need while trekking

Campsite clothing sets:

Warm clothes for winter from December to March
Shorts and T-shirts for summer from April to September
1 pair of sandals/slides using at the campsite
Swimwear using at the campsite

Footwear to change after the tour (If you use your own trekking shoes)

Personal items

Mosquito repellent
Sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen
Hand fan for summer (April to August – optional)
Medium towel
Personal medication
Passport

Optional items

Arm cover if wearing short-sleeved T-shirts
Camera & Tripod
Bandana or headband
Swimwear
Rehydration tablets
Blister prevention tape

FAQS

What makes the interior of Hang En Cave so unique?

Hang En is widely well-known for its colossal scale—it is the 3rd largest cave in the world—and its breathtaking natural features. Unlike deep, narrow caverns, Hang En boasts a massive main archway that lets in natural twilight, illuminating an incredible subterranean sandy beach and a turquoise river setup inside. It is also home to a massive colony of thousands of swifts (birds), creating a living, breathing natural amphitheater that you can hear and see right from your tents.

Do we have to swim or do technical climbing inside Hang En Cave?

No technical rock climbing or deep-water swimming is required to navigate Hang En. The exploration inside involves walking across massive sandy banks, wading through shallow river sections (usually knee-to-waist deep depending on the season), and scrambling over large boulders. While it requires steady balance and a good pair of trekking shoes, it is an accessible, walkable cave rather than a technical swimming or climbing cave.

I am torn between Hang En and a Tu Lan tour. What is the main difference between the two cave experiences?

The choice comes down to the style of adventure you prefer:

Hang En is all about sheer scale, grandeur, and iconic camping. You are trekking to one massive, monumental cavern where you spend the night on an underground beach. The focus is on dramatic photography, awe-inspiring landscapes, and a slower-paced, immersive camp experience.

Tu Lan is all about activity, diversity, and adventure. The Tu Lan system consists of multiple smaller caves where you will do a lot of active cave swimming (wearing life jackets), navigating through dark, narrow passages, and experiencing a wide variety of stalactite formations.

Why are there no Hang En Cave tours available between September and December?

This period between September and December marks the peak of the annual rainy and storm season in Central Vietnam. Because Hang En is a flood-vulnerable cavern, the river levels inside rise rapidly and can completely flood. To ensure absolute safety for our travelers and staff, and to allow the jungle ecosystem time to regenerate undisturbed, all trekking operations are paused during these months. We reopen in January when the weather clears and the cave returns to its pristine, safe state.

WHAT WE PROVIDE

Camping equipment: tent, mattresses, pillow, sleeping bags
Caving and safety gears: helmet, headlight, gloves, …
Basic jungle boots (EU size 36–44); if using Oxalis shoes, bring thick, long socks and 2 insoles to ensure comfort.
Water bottle (1L)
Water purifier
Compost toilet, toilet paper, hand cleaner
Semi-dry bag (15L) for campsite clothing sets and personal items
First-aid kit and medical rescue equipment
Satellite phone

PHYSICAL FITNESS REQUIREMENT

The basic physical fitness requirements for participating in the Hang En Adventure Tour include:

Trekking experience: REQUIRED. Please make sure that you had at least one overnight camp trek, OR 2-3 day-treks with the following tour elements: trekking routes through forest/ mountain/ rocky/ steep terrains, covering a minimum distance of 8km per day (equivalent to 5 miles per day), with an elevation gain of at least 300m.
Fitness Preparation: Engage in strenuous sports such as football, and skiing, or regularly participate in outdoor activities such as walking or running (3-4 times per week, covering 4-5 km each time) to maintain physical fitness.
This ensures that you are able to:
– Run continuously for 5 kilometres within 50 minutes.
– Climb 5 floors continuously without becoming out of breath or dizzy.

Hang En terrain summary

Guests aged 16 to 70 are permitted to join the Hang En Adventure Tour, which demands good physical fitness and prior trekking experience. Those with experience in mountain trekking and good physical health, as well as those who engage in regular sports training, could easily complete this tour.

Some guests may find it not particularly challenging, while others may encounter difficulties and require assistance from many safety assistants to complete the tour. The tour regulations allow safety experts and/or guides to temporarily suspend the journey, and escort guests out of the forest if significant difficulties are encountered on the itinerary. Refunds or rescheduling are not applicable in such cases.