Sung Sot Cave

Mike Colvin from Manchester, UK · CC BY 2.0

The largest cave in Ha Long bay, two chambers, the inner one the size of a theatre.

The French found this cave in 1901 and called it the Grotte des Surprises, later translated as Sung Sot — Surprise. The name is literal: from the boat landing you climb about a hundred stone steps through trees, squeeze through a narrow mouth, and the first chamber that opens is already large; but go on through a tight gap and the second chamber is what actually stops people — a ceiling tens of metres up, wide as a theatre, stalactites growing into columns from floor to roof. The cave is on Bo Hon island, reachable only by boat, and almost every Ha Long cruise stops here.

Visitor information

When is the best time to visit Sung Sot Cave?

October to December, dry weather and calm water

How much does it cost to visit Sung Sot Cave?

Included in the bay entry ticket, depending on route

How long do you need at Sung Sot Cave?

1.5 hours

What are the opening hours of Sung Sot Cave?

07:30 - 17:00

Did you know

The cave was found by the French in 1901 and named the Grotte des Surprises.
It has two chambers linked by a narrow gap, the inner one far larger.
The inner chamber's ceiling is tens of metres high, with stalactites forming floor-to-roof columns.
The cave is on Bo Hon island and can only be reached by boat.

Travel tips

There are about a hundred stone steps up from the landing — not suitable for anyone with mobility difficulties.
The cave is damp and the floor slippery; wear grippy shoes rather than sandals.

Source: https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hang_S%E1%BB%ADng_S%E1%BB%91t

Updated: 2026-08-16