Beyond the famous caves in Phong Nha – Ke Bang like Son Doong Cave, there is another stunning cave system in Quang Binh: the Tu Lan Cave System.
Located 112 km northwest of Dong Hoi city center, the Tu Lan Cave System is in Tan Hoa Commune, Minh Hoa District, Quang Binh Province. In 2009, a local resident discovered it after venturing into the forest for fishing. A few years later, a British-Vietnamese cave exploration team conducted surveys and found more caves of different sizes. The Tu Lan Cave System was formed by geological processes involving limestone mountains and underground rivers that eroded the rock. It consists of more than 25 caves, categorized into dry and river caves. The continuous flow of the Rao Nan River, along with underground rivers and constant geological changes, has created a chain of caves at different elevations. The system remains pristine and is hidden deep within more than 650 hectares of tropical forest.
Caves in Tu Lan
Rat Cave
This was the first cave discovered and is the most impressive dry cave in the Tu Lan Cave System. It is over 280 meters long, with an average height of 15 to 20 meters. The cave entrance is wide, and some chambers inside extend up to 30 meters in width. Rat Cave was also chosen as a filming location for famous movies such as The Legend of Quan Tien and The Immortal.
Secret Cave
This cave is nearly 200 meters long, with chambers more than 15 meters wide and a height of 10–15 meters. Secret Cave features unique stalactite formations.
Hung Ton Cave
With a total length of nearly 500 meters, exploring Hung Ton Cave offers an exciting experience. Visitors must descend a 15-meter-high ladder and swim through an underground river with refreshing, cool water. The cave is breathtaking, with unique stalactite structures.
Ken Cave
With a total length of over 3 km, Ken Cave is considered the longest and most beautiful river cave in the Tu Lan Cave System. The entrance is impressive, and some chambers are up to 30 meters wide. Visitors can explore the cave by rafting or swimming with a life jacket. Inside, massive stalactite formations rise in various unique shapes.
Tu Lan Cave
Discovered in 2010, Tu Lan Cave is the main cave after which the entire system is named. The cave floor spans up to 35 meters wide, and inside, magnificent stalactites and towering columns reaching 30 meters high create a palace-like ambiance.
Kim Cave
Discovered in 2012, Hang Kim stretches over 1.2 km, with both river and dry chambers up to 25 meters wide. To explore this cave, visitors must swim in and out. The underground river inside extends about 450 meters, featuring waterfalls and sections where adventurers must climb rocky walls to fully appreciate its grandeur.
Song Cave
Song Cave is a dry cave located at a higher elevation. It was discovered and surveyed in 2017. The cave extends over 600 meters, with a width ranging from 5 to 20 meters and a height of 15 to 30 meters. It sits atop a hill 200 meters high. Reaching this cave requires a steep trekking journey. Song Cave is known for its rare and unique coral stalactites.
Dry Ken Cave
Located above Hang Ken, Hang Ken Kho was discovered in 2018. With a length of over 700 meters and a height ranging from 15 to 20 meters, this cave features an impressive array of stalagmites, stalactites, and coral-shaped formations.
Hang Tien Cave
Hang Tien 1 and Hang Tien 2 have a combined length of over 4.5 km, with cave floors and domes extending up to 45 meters wide. The entrance is estimated to be 100 meters high. The cave’s vaulted ceilings have spiral formations resembling a galaxy. Many stalactite areas take on terrace-like shapes, creating a mystical landscape. Inside, there is a clear blue circular lake where visitors can swim. Hang Tien is the largest dry cave in the Tu Lan Cave System and is regarded as the most beautiful campsite in the area.
A journey into the Tu Lan Cave System will captivate you with its breathtaking natural beauty—forests, underground rivers, and magnificent cave chambers blending into a masterpiece. Exploring Tu Lan is not just a relaxing experience but also a thrilling adventure that leaves a lasting impression.
After discovering the caves, visitors can immerse themselves in nature and the peaceful rural life of Tan Hoa. This village was recognized by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as one of the Best Tourism Villages in the World.
The history of the Tu Lan Cave System
The Tu Lan Cave System was first explored in 1992 by the British-Vietnamese Cave Exploration Team. To this day, explorers continue to survey and search for new caves in the Tu Lan area.
Conservation efforts
The Tu Lan Cave System became widely known when Oxalis Adventure introduced adventure tours to Tu Lan in 2011 and officially launched them in 2014. In addition to ensuring safety, the company places great importance on conservation, environmental protection, and community involvement in tourism development. For every cave visited by tourists, the company maintains a single designated trail, uses fixed campsites, and carefully selects equipment and supplies to minimize environmental impact. The tours have limited group sizes and scheduled breaks to maintain ecological balance. All waste is collected, removed from the caves, and properly disposed of after each trip.
Furthermore, Oxalis Adventure creates jobs for local people, implements community-based tourism models, and supports locals by providing food and accommodation services to help them earn a stable income. This initiative has contributed to eliminating illegal logging. A portion of the company’s revenue is allocated to forest conservation fees.
The local community is highly conscious of forest and environmental protection, and illegal logging activities do not occur in the area.
Things to do in Tu Lan
Oxalis Adventure is the only company currently offering Tu Lan tours. The main activities include cave exploration, jungle trekking, and experiencing the lifestyle of the flood-prone Tan Hoa community. Tour prices vary depending on the duration, ranging from 1,800,000 VND for a one-day tour to 18,000,000 VND for an extended multi-day expedition.
Tu Lan tours range from 1 to 6 days, including:
- Tu Lan Experience (1 day) – VND 1,800,000/person
- Tu Lan Family Experience (1 day) – VND 2,300,000/person
- Hang Tien Discovery (2 days) – VND 3,200,000/person
- Tu Lan Family Adventure (2 days) – VND 6,500,000/person
- Hang Tien Endeavor (3 days) – VND 7,800,000/person
- Tu Lan Cave Encounter Tour (3 days) – VND 7,400,000/person
- Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer Tour (4 days) – VND 9,500,000/person
- Hang Tien Exploration (4 days) – VND 9,900,000/person
- Tu Lan Cave Expedition (6 days) – VND 18,000,000/person
To provide visitors with a complete Tu Lan experience, Oxalis Adventure has introduced the Tu Lan Lodge. Inspired by the flood-resistant floating houses of the Tan Hoa people, Tu Lan Lodge features 20 rooms, including 10 hillside modular rooms.
The Tu Lan Lodge restaurant offers a variety of Minh Hoa specialties, such as Com Boi (steamed cornmeal mixed with tapioca), Oc Duc (snail), Ca Khe (stream fish), Canh Long (soup), and Rau Ton (a wild vegetable).
Tourism and the community
Tan Hoa Commune has over 3,000 households, with most people engaged in agriculture and forest plantation for economic purposes. Due to its low-lying terrain, the area experiences annual flooding in September and October. In 2010, the floods were so severe that 100% of the houses in Tan Hoa were submerged.
Currently, Oxalis is actively supporting the community-based tourism model in Tan Hoa. The company has trained and guided locals in tourism services, encouraging them to run homestays and provide dining services for visitors. Oxalis also prioritizes hiring local workers for roles such as tour guides, safety assistants, chefs, porters, and operational staff. Many former loggers have transitioned into tourism jobs and have become volunteer forest protectors. Thanks to this initiative, locals now have stable incomes, contributing to environmental conservation and the preservation of unique cultural traditions. The people of Tan Hoa have become more responsible in tourism activities, fostering a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. The development of community-based tourism has helped Tan Hoa become one of the Best Tourism Villages in the World.
Best time to visit Tu Lan
Located in Central Vietnam and bordering Laos, the Tu Lan Cave System in Tan Hoa experiences 4 distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Each season brings its own beauty and charm for visitors to explore. Spring is full of life, with lush green fields stretching as far as the eye can see. In summer, visitors can embark on thrilling cave expeditions with swimming and camping experiences. Winter offers fresh, crisp air, and the chilly weather combined with the sight of smoke rising from village kitchens at dusk creates an unforgettable atmosphere.
Tu Lan tours typically operate from November to September. Some caves, especially those at lower elevations and with underground rivers, temporarily close during the rainy season for safety and ecological recovery. However, each season in Tu Lan has its own highlights, so visitors can choose a tour based on their preferred time and interests. For recommendations, visit https://phongnhainfo.com.
From November to March, Tu Lan enjoys mostly sunny days with occasional cold spells. This is an ideal time for cave exploration and trekking.
April and May bring mild weather with comfortable temperatures, allowing visitors to explore caves while admiring blooming flowers and flocks of butterflies filling the sky.
June to August is the peak of summer, making it the perfect time to escape the heat by swimming in the cave rivers and enjoying unique camping experiences.
September to October marks the rainy season, transforming the landscape into a “miniature Ha Long Bay.” Visitors can stay at the weather-adaptive Tu Lan Lodge or experience floating homestays.
What to expect in Tu Lan
A trip to Tu Lan offers unforgettable adventures, from trekking across vast grasslands and marveling at towering limestone mountains to crossing dense forests and wading through crystal-clear streams. Visitors will swim through mysterious caves, camp in the jungle, enjoy delicious dinners by the fire, and listen to the roaring sound of waterfalls.
For those who seek extra thrills, encounters with jungle leeches and forest slugs will test their courage.
Adventure levels
Oxalis designs tours for all travelers who enjoy active experiences in nature. There are 6 adventure levels, with difficulty increasing from level 1 to level 6. Each level has specific regulations regarding the number of participants and age requirements.
Safety levels
Safety is Oxalis Adventure’s top priority to ensure the well-being of both guests and staff on every trip. Oxalis only uses high-quality, internationally certified equipment, primarily imported from European countries such as France, the UK, and Switzerland.
All cave exploration tours operate during the dry season, and the caves open for tourism have multiple entrances and exits. In case of unexpected weather changes, Oxalis has backup plans and flexible route adjustments to ensure guest safety.
Each tour is led by professional and experienced guides, along with cave experts. Oxalis provides all necessary safety equipment for cave exploration, including helmets, gloves, headlamps, ropes, and harnesses.
What to prepare for a tour
To ensure the best experience and easier navigation across challenging terrains, Oxalis arranges porters to carry your belongings throughout the journey.
Items you need to prepare
- Clothing: Long-sleeve trekking shirts and pants in light colors, quick-drying materials. For winter trips, bring a windproof jacket. Hiking shoes, socks, sandals, swimwear, and campwear are also necessary.
- Accessories: Sun hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent.
- Personal items: Towel, toiletries, underwear, backup charger, passport.
Oxalis prepares for you
- Camping and safety equipment.
- Trekking shoes, water bottles, water filtration equipment, toilets, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer.
- Guides, porters, chefs, meals during the tour, and dry boxes for phones and cameras.
- A floating backpack, a first-aid kit, rescue equipment, a mini fan, a storage locker at the office, and a dry bag for camping gear.
To fully enjoy your Tu Lan adventure, keep these key points in mind:
Prepare physically and mentally: Before registering for the tour, practice exercises such as jogging, stair climbing, or light sports. Maintain a balanced diet and a positive mindset.
Provide accurate personal information, especially regarding your health condition.
Follow the guide’s instructions: Stay with the group at all times and do not wander off on your own. Avoid touching stalactites, stalagmites, or any cave formations. Only explore designated areas.
Respect nature: Do not litter. Always collect your trash in a bag and ask the guide for proper disposal assistance.
Avoid using chemical-based products during the tour.
Do not give gifts or money to children in the village.
Exploring the Tu Lan Cave System promises to be an unforgettable adventure filled with exciting new experiences. All Tu Lan tours are available on the website, where you can book directly or contact the consultation team via hotline: +84 919900357.
