Ha Long, Vietnam
Sung Sot Cave is the largest cavern in Ha Long Bay at over 10,000 square meters. You need a Route 2 boat tour to reach it.
4.9 from 718 traveller reviews on Viator
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Explore
What to expect across the two main chambers.
The cave features two massive chambers connected by an 800-meter paved walkway.
Visitors spend 45 to 60 minutes exploring.
Plan your visit
Set aside 45 to 60 minutes inside the cave. The full boat trip takes 4 to 6 hours minimum.
October to early December offers the calmest seas. Go early or late to avoid midday crowds.
You must join a Ha Long Bay Route 2 cruise. Boats leave from Tuan Chau or Ha Long International Ports.
You need a Route 2 ticket (290,000 VND) plus boat fare. Most tours package these costs together.
French explorers discovered the site in 1901. They originally named it 'Grotte des Surprises'. The cavern officially opened to tourism in 1993.
Access requires climbing 50 to 100 steep stone steps through the forest canopy. The cave sits 25 meters above sea level on Bo Hon Island. Read Cave departure ports for transport options.
Inside, the First Chamber features a 30-meter high ceiling. The deeper The Main Hall holds rock formations tied to the Saint Giong legend.
We analyze actual schedules and inclusion lists.
Tour options are reviewed for the 2026 season.
We highlight what is and is not included in the fee.
From Viator
718 reviews of the 2-day 1-night cruise on Viator
The tour was exceptional from pickup to drop-off, with thorough enjoyment throughout. The entire staff, including the bus driver, provided outstanding service.
Pink is an exceptional tour guide. She was so cheerful and kind. Helped us have a memorable cruise experience in Vietnam.
My tour at halong bay Made the whole trip unforgettable even just a day your. make easy all the way. good value of money. I give 5 star review and very highly recommend to others
Excellent day tour from start to finish! The whole experience went smoothly, from booking to the morning pickup. Alex was an excellent guide, friendly, knowledgeable and helpful throughout. The cruise itself was exceptional, with a fantastic experience all round. Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Ha Long Bay!
Thank you to our guide Nam for today. And thank you for all the staff who made sure that our experience is safe and seemless. I really love the speed boat experience and a definite must try.
Great Places, Great Food and Great people especially our Tour guide, Mr. Nam , he is very friendly and takes great photo shots!
Hieu was very friendly, always smiling, very informative, and very helpful.
Hue is an amazing tour guide, his passion for explaining and viewing vietnam for others is really amazing.
It was amazing! Dom, Ryan and the crew was very good for us. Thank you so much!
Travel tips
Tickets & PricesLearn how to buy tickets and book cruises for Sung Sot Cave.Read 
Cave departure portsFind out where boats depart for Sung Sot Cave and how long it takes.Read 
Best TimeFind out the best time of day to beat the crowds at Surprise Cave.Read 
Shoes & ClothingFind out what to wear for the steep steps and high humidity inside the cave.Read 
Visiting With KidsPacing the stairs and planning a family visit to Surprise Cave.Read 
Sung Sot vs Thien CungCompare size, routes, and experiences for Ha Long Bay's famous caves.Read You must book a Ha Long Bay Route 2 cruise. Boats depart from Tuan Chau International Port or Ha Long International Cruise Port. The day trip takes 4 to 6 hours.
The Route 2 sightseeing ticket is approximately 290,000 VND (12 USD). You cannot buy this alone. It is usually bundled with your boat ticket price. Read Tickets for details.
It is the largest cavern in Ha Long Bay, spanning over 10,000 square meters. The cave features a 30-meter high ceiling and legendary rock formations. A visit inside takes 45 to 60 minutes.
You must climb roughly 50 to 100 steep stone steps to reach the entrance. The steps wind through a forest canopy. Wear shoes with good grip.
Sung Sot translates to Surprise. French explorers originally named the cavern 'Grotte des Surprises' when they discovered it in 1901.
The cave spans an area of over 10,000 square meters. The interior paved walkway is approximately 800 meters long.
Find the best Route 2 option for your schedule.
