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Surprise Cave (Hang Sung Sot)
Natural Wonder

Surprise Cave (Hang Sung Sot)

Northern Vietnam
4.7
(5,000 reviews)
1,346
Tours Available
200,000 VND
Adult Entry
2-3 hours
Recommended Duration
March-May
Best Time

Overview

Surprise Cave, also known as Hang Sung Sot, is a stunning limestone cave located in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. The cave is renowned for its vast chambers, intricate rock formations, and beautiful stalactites and stalagmites.

Surprise Cave is one of the most famous caves in Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is known for its geological significance and stunning natural beauty.

Cave Geological Formation

Location

Address

Ha Long Bay, Halong City, Quang Ninh

Neighborhood: Ha Long Bay

Coordinates

20.950081, 107.100156

Visiting Information

Opening Hours

monday 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
tuesday 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
wednesday 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
thursday 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
friday 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
saturday 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
sunday 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM

Admission

Adults
200,000 VND
Children
100,000 VND (under 1.3m height)

Best Time to Visit

Overall Best Period

March-May

Best Time of Day

Early morning

fewer crowds and cooler temperatures

Duration Recommendations

Minimum
1 hour
Recommended
2-3 hours
Full Experience
half day

Seasonal Highlights

spring

warm and dry

  • • lush greenery
  • • pleasant temperatures

summer

hot and humid

  • • warm weather
  • • clear skies

autumn

cool and dry

  • • cool breeze
  • • clear skies

winter

cool and dry

  • • cool temperatures
  • • festive decorations in nearby areas

Know Before You Go

Essential Information

  • Book a guided tour in advance
  • Bring proper footwear for walking
  • Check the weather forecast

What to Bring

essential

comfortable walking shoes water bottle camera

recommended

hat sunscreen light jacket

seasonal

raincoat (in rainy season) warm clothing (in winter)

not allowed

drones large backpacks smoking

Health & Safety

Physical Requirements: moderate (some walking and climbing involved)

  • • uneven surfaces inside the cave
  • • narrow passages

Medical facilities: basic first aid available at the entrance

Payment Information

Accepted

cash (VND), credit cards (sometimes)

Currency

Vietnamese Dong (VND)

Typical Costs

entry 200,000 VND
guided tour 500,000-1,000,000 VND
parking 20,000-50,000 VND

Dress Code

comfortable and casual, light, breathable clothing, comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots, high heels, inappropriate attire

Booking Tips

  • • at least a few days in advance
  • • online travel agencies or local tour operators
  • • varies by tour operator
  • • available through guided tours

Amenities

Restrooms
Gift shop
Atm
Wifi
Lockers
Wheelchair rental
Stroller rental
On site restaurant
Cafe
Picnic areas
Outside food allowed

Digital Services

Mobile App

Ha Long Bay Tour Guide

Size: 50 MB

Features: cave maps, audio guides, tour booking

Platforms: iOS, Android

WiFi Zones: entrance area

Charging Stations: Not specified

How to Reach

From Airport

Nearest: Cat Bi International Airport (Haiphong)

Distance: 80 km

Travel Time: 2-3 hours

taxi
1,500,000-2,000,000 VND 2-3 hours
private_transfer
2,000,000-2,500,000 VND 2-3 hours

From City Center

Distance: 5 km

taxi
200,000-300,000 VND 15-20 minutes
bus
20,000-50,000 VND 30-40 minutes
motorbike_taxi
150,000-200,000 VND 15-20 minutes

Local Insights

Cultural Context

Why Locals Love It: a natural wonder and a source of local pride

Historical Significance: part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ha Long Bay

Insider Tips

  • visit early in the morning to avoid crowds
  • bring a light jacket as the cave can be cool
  • try the local coffee in nearby cafes

Local Recommendations

  • • try local seafood in nearby restaurants
  • • visit nearby islands and beaches
  • • explore the local markets for souvenirs

Language Help

Useful Phrases

hello Xin chào
thank_you Cảm ơn
where_is Đâu là...
how_much Bao nhiêu tiền?
beautiful Đẹp
ticket

Guide Languages: English, Vietnamese, Chinese

Photography Guide

Best Photo Spots

Main Chamber

Best Time: early morning or late afternoon

Tips: use a wide-angle lens to capture the vastness of the cave

Result: stunning shots of the cave's interior

#SurpriseCave #HangSungSot #HaLongBay #CaveExploration #VietnamTravel

Viewpoint near the entrance

Best Time: sunset

Tips: capture the cave entrance with the surrounding landscape

Result: breathtaking views of the cave and Ha Long Bay

#HaLongBay #CaveView #SunsetViews #VietnamNature

Photography Rules

allowed areas all areas of the cave, viewpoints
prohibited areas Not specified
flash photography allowed but not recommended (can disturb others)
commercial photography requires special permission
drone policy not allowed
tripod policy allowed with permission
selfie sticks allowed but use with caution

Nearby Attractions

Titop Island

Distance: 3 km

Walking: not walkable

Type: Island

Dau Go Island

Distance: 2 km

Walking: not walkable

Type: Island

Ha Long Bay Cruise

Distance: 0 km

Walking: not applicable

Type: Cruise

Reviews

4.7

Based on 5,000 reviews

Recent Visitor Tips

  • "book a guided tour in advance"
  • "visit early in the morning to avoid crowds"
  • "wear comfortable shoes for the walk inside the cave"

Contact Information

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Quick Info

Available Tours

1,346

Rating

4.7 / 5.0

Reviews

5,000

Adult Entry

200,000 VND

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