HANG VA EXPEDITION TOUR 2D1N

Central Vietnam

Location

Phong Nha, Quảng Trị

BEST SEASON

Jan to Aug

AVAILABILITY

3-4 departures/ week

TOUR OPERATOR

Oxalis Adventure

LEVEL

Moderate

GROUP SIZE

2-10 guests

ACCOMODATION

Camping

SWIMMING

100m

TREKKING

8km in the jungle

MORE INFOMATION

OVERVIEW

ITINERARY

OVERVIEW

Featured in both Forbes and CNN, Hang Va is a special cave which showcases its exceptionally rare tower cones rising from the emerald green water.

The Hang Va Expedition 2D1N takes you to the two most unique wet caves in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park: Nuoc Nut cave and Hang Va cave. This tour is perfect for adventure souls who seek for extraordinary beauty of the cave, mountain trekking, rope traversing, and a night in the jungle. Also, if you love photography, this tour was absolutely made for you!

HIGHLIGHT

Hang Va cave for the unique geological formations
Challenge yourself with different technical caving experience
Exclusive campsite deep in the primary jungle

ITINERARY

DAY 1: PHONG NHA - NUOC NUT CAVE - CAMPSITE

8:00 – 8:30AM

You will be picked up by an English-speaking tourguide and the tour van for the briefing at Oxalis headquarter. After well equipped, you’ll head to the trailhead to begin the adventure.

9:30-10:00AM

From the drop-off point, you will have 30-minute trekking through the jungle trek to the entrance of Nuoc Nut Cave. Here, you will gear up with helmets, headlights, and gloves after the picnic lunch.

Entering Nuoc Nut requires navigating a low opening; but once inside, the cave opens up into a mysterious underground world. You will marvel at massive sandbanks, unique rock formations, and perhaps spot the rare albino insects adapted to life in total darkness.

The adventure intensifies as you leave the large passages of Nuoc Nut to navigate the narrow connection leading toward Hang Va. After maneuvering through this thrilling technical section, you will be rewarded with a refreshing swim in the cool water of the Hang Va stream passage.

Finally, you will wear a safety harness to climb out of the cave entrance, emerging right at your campsite located deep in the jungle.

A well-earned dinner awaits you in this spectacular natural setting.

DAY 2: HANG VA - PHONG NHA

8:00-8:30AM

The exploration continues upstream into the heart of Hang Va. This section is physical and exciting, requiring you to maneuver through narrow rocky crevices before opening up into a beautiful stream passage. Here, you’ll witness a unique phenomenon: water spouts cascading from the cave ceiling like natural showers.

The highlight of the expedition awaits in the upper level. Using safety harnesses, you will climb into the Tower Cone Passage. Walking on a specially designed path to protect the fragile formations, you will stand in awe of the rare tower cones – thousands of stalagmites rising from the water like a submerged city. Amidst this surreal landscape, your guides will share the fascinating history of the cave’s discovery by Mr. Ho Khanh and the British-Vietnamese Cave Expedition Team, as well as the geological link between Hang Va and the biggest cave in the world: Son Doong Cave.

After returning to the lower passage and exiting the cave, enjoy a final lunch at the jungle campsite. Pack up and prepare for the trek out, which involves navigating a rocky pass and descending into the Hang Va Valley.

A driver will be waiting for you at the road for the transfer to Phong Nha town.

5:00PM

Arrive at your hotel in Phong Nha.

PRICING

The Cost Includes

Pick-up and drop-off from Phong Nha town.
National Park entrance fee
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.
Tents and all necessary equipment for camping at the campsite.

The Cost Excludes

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

WHAT TO BRING

Essential clothing

Trekking clothes:

1 quick-dry, bright, long-sleeved shirt
1 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
1 pair of calf-length, thick socks
Clothes to change after the trek

Clothes to wear 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

Are there showers at the Hang Va jungle campsite? How can I wash up after a long day of trekking?

There are no hot, running showers in the heart of the jungle, but you certainly won't have to stay dirty! The Hang Va campsite is located right next to a pristine, natural jungle stream. You can enjoy a refreshing dip to wash away the day's sweat and dust. We also provide a private changing tent at the campsite for your convenience.

Can I use regular soap and shampoo in the stream?

To protect the delicate aquatic ecosystem and the unique cave life downstream, chemical soaps, regular shampoos, and body washes are strictly prohibited in the natural stream. We highly recommend bringing eco-friendly, 100% biodegradable wet wipes for personal hygiene, or using exclusively organic, biodegradable soap very sparingly.

Does the Hang Va Expedition run every day, and how can I find open dates?

No, the Hang Va Expedition does not run daily, nor does it operate on a fixed weekly schedule. Because we strictly limit visitor numbers to preserve the cave’s rare ecosystem and ensure maximum safety, this tour operates on a select schedule with fixed departure dates throughout the season (January to August).
How to book: Please check with Endless Vietnam for the availability and register the tour accordingly.

How do bathroom breaks work while we are deep in the jungle and caves?

To protect the pristine cave and jungle environment, we use specialized eco-friendly compost toilets at our designated lunch and rest spots. These are clean, private, western-style toilet seats over a composting system using rice husks to eliminate odors.

What is the actual difficulty level of the Hang Va Expedition, and what kind of trekking experience do I need?

The Hang Va Expedition is rated as Level 3 (Moderate) on the Oxalis 6-level adventure scale. It is designed for average, active individuals rather than elite athletes. However, because it is a highly technical caving experience, it requires a unique blend of agility and steady footing. Here is what you should expect on the trail:The Terrain. While the trekking distance is manageable: 15km over two days, the terrain is very rocky and uneven. You will walk under forest canopies, navigate sharp limestone rocks (karsts), squeeze through narrow cave passages, and wade through knee-to-waist-deep water inside the caves.
Technical Gear: This is a proper exploration tour where you will get to use specialized caving equipment.
You will wear a safety harness and helmet to cross exposed ledges, climb steep cave ladders, and use ropes to safely traverse slippery cave walls—all under the close supervision of our safety assistants.
Fitness Guidelines: If you are reasonably active, enjoy the outdoors, and can comfortably jog 3km within 30 minutes or walk up 5 flights of stairs without becoming overly dizzy or out of breath, you are perfectly fit to complete this tour.
It is not recommended for individuals with a severe fear of heights or enclosed spaces.

WHAT WE PROVIDE

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
1 PVC backpack (25L) to carry helmet, dry box, water and things you need during the trek.
Shared dry box for electronic devices
First-aid kit and medical rescue equipment
Satellite phone

FITNESS REQUIREMENT

The basic physical fitness requirements for participating in the Hang Va Expedition tour include:

Trekking experience requirements: Having experience in trekking and camping in the forest is an advantage.
Fitness Preparation: Regularly participating in physical activities (such as yoga, swimming, hiking, running, stair climbing, gym, and some other sports) to maintain physical fitness. This ensures that they are able to:
– Run continuously for 3 kilometres within 30 minutes.
– Climb 5 floors continuously without experiencing shortness of breath or dizziness.

Hang Va 2D1N fitness level

Guests aged 16 to 70 are permitted to join the Hang Va Expedition tour, which demands good physical fitness. 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 on the Hang Va Expedition tour 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.