What makes Hang En special?
As one of the largest caves in the world, dating back 2.5 to 3 million years, Hang En in Phong Nha offers visitors the chance to witness the invisible power of nature and the remarkable geological formations of the Kingdom of Caves:
The gateway to Hang Son Doong and the history of Hang En
Located at the forefront of the Phong Nha cave system, Hang En serves as the gateway to Son Doong – the largest cave on the planet.
After surveying and mapping Hang En in 1994, the British–Vietnam Caving Expedition Team predicted, based on the geological structure and water flow, that there could be a massive cave lying beyond it. In 2009, with the guidance of Ho Khanh, they began their journey to explore Son Doong Cave. Over the next ten years, three major surveys were conducted, and during this time, Hang En was chosen as the resting and overnight camping spot for the explorers.
Today, visitors exploring Son Doong Cave will camp inside its vast chambers, trek through Hang En, and wade across the underground river inside the cave just like true explorers.
Hang En Campsite: A place for sunrise and sunbeams
Hang En has a total volume of up to 6.7 million cubic meters, with its widest passage measuring 200 meters and the highest ceiling reaching 145 meters. The cave’s enormous size and unique geological formations have created a flat golden sandbank beside an underground lake. This spot has been chosen as the campsite inside the cave, offering a truly unique experience. From the campsite, visitors can look up toward the massive entrance, where the view opens to the sky, bringing fresh air and natural light into the cave. Between December and March, visitors may witness a stunning sunbeam streaming through the entrance, illuminating the entire campsite and creating a breathtaking scene.
The underground lake next to the campsite is the perfect place to unwind after a full day of trekking through the jungle and even experience a natural fish massage. Visitors can swim in the refreshing water, float peacefully on the surface, and gaze up at the cave ceiling, where the patterns in the rock resemble drifting clouds high above.
The campsite is well-equipped with individual tents, insulated pallets, mattresses, sleeping bags, and clean pillows. Visitors can also enjoy hot meals prepared right on-site by local chefs.
Geological formations of Hang En
Unlike many caves filled with massive and colorful stalactites, Hang En stands out for its striking evidence of strong weathering. Over millions of years, powerful water flow has eroded entire sections of the mountain, shaping the cave’s grand and dramatic structures.
Enter entrance
From the foot of the mountain, visitors will see a cave entrance only about 3 meters high, but several dozen meters thick. As they venture deeper inside, it feels as though the entire limestone massif is hanging overhead, with countless cuts and grooves running along the rock walls, leading into a vast dark chamber.
Large entrance
The main entrance of Hang En lies halfway up the mountain, where from a distance visitors can spot a tall, wide cave mouth surrounded by lush forest. Due to geological activity more than 500,000 years ago, this entrance collapsed. Countless boulders of all sizes tumbled down into the stream and onto the cave floor, piling up to form a massive, rugged rock slope that now blocks the path.
Rear entrance
The rear entrance of Hang En is the largest, measuring up to 120 meters high and 110 meters wide. To reach it, visitors must cross steep slopes and underground streams before arriving at a massive rock slope. Here, giant boulders are stacked like an enormous stone staircase, rising dozens of meters from the rear chamber down to the stream and into a pristine valley. The rear entrance is also home to countless swallow nests, and visitors can spot traces resembling vines hanging along the towering rock walls.
Middle chamber
The middle chamber of Hang En lies hidden behind a tall, massive rock slope that seems to block the entire passage. From the flat sandy floor, visitors must climb over jagged boulders, some weathered into sharp edges. With a bit of luck, they may even spot swallow eggs resting on the rocks along the way.
Beyond the winding rock slope lies a steep and slippery descent, with a sheer cliff on one side and a wide gorge on the other, creating a scene that is both mysterious and majestic. Visitors will then encounter unique stalactite formations, such as coral stalactites and massive flowstones resembling white terraced fields that shimmer with a silvery glow.
Underground river in Hang En
The Rao Thuong Stream merges with the underground flow inside Hang En, winding its way through the cave in many directions. At times, the stream cuts across the path, requiring visitors to wade through the water. In some sections, it flows gently and quietly, while in others it rushes swiftly toward the rear entrance of Hang En before emptying into the untouched valley beyond.
A solid roof of the Arem people during the nomadic days
When exploring Hang En, visitors will hear stories about the survival of the Arem people. Hundreds of years ago, the Arem already knew about the existence of Hang En. With no permanent settlement, they found shelter in this vast cave, where sunlight could still reach inside. Its high rock slopes and massive stone slabs provided a solid roof, protecting them during days of heavy rain and floods.
Countless swallow nests on the cave ceiling also became an important food source. The men, with their strong hands, would cling to the grooves running across the rock walls to climb upward. In the most difficult sections, they cut tree branches to wedge into the rocks and braided rattan with forest vines to secure on rocks, hooking them onto the steep cliffs to create support points for the climb.
Today, after settling in the lowlands and living a more stable life, the Arem people still maintain the tradition of entering the caves. They collect young swallows that have fallen to the ground as a way to honor their origins and preserve the traditions of their ancestors.
Cinematic backdrop and famous international TV programs
Since 2011, Japan’s NHK television crew has filmed the geology and landscapes inside Son Doong and Hang En to produce the documentary “Feel the greatness of nature”, which was broadcast in 60 countries.
In 2014, Warner Bros. Feature Film (WB) came to Hang En to capture its cave structures, which were later used as the famous backdrop in the movie Peter Pan: The Neverland.
In 2015, ABC Television broadcast a live program of Good Morning America from Hang En. Oxalis, the operator of the Hang En Discovery Tour and Son Doong Expedition, provided full logistical support for the entire trip, carrying more than 4 tons of equipment into the cave. The broadcast attracted more than 6 million live viewers, 27 million online viewers, and countless likes and comments expressing admiration for the beauty of the two caves.
Most recently, in 2022, the BBC filmed Son Doong, Hang En, Hang Va, and Hang Nuoc Nut in Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park for the documentary series Planet Earth III.
Itinerary and experiences on the Hang En Cave Adventure
The 2-day-1-night Hang En Cave adventure takes visitors on a 25km jungle trek, including 3km inside the cave, with multiple river crossings along the way.
Along the way, visitors will encounter a rich ecosystem, with jungle trails shaded by towering ancient trees, steep slopes where tree roots form natural steps, crystal-clear streams, and a wide variety of plants. During the trek, it is also possible to spot rare wildlife such as gibbons, langurs, macaques, and flying squirrels. The closer visitors get to the cave entrance, the more likely they are to hear the songs of jungle birds, the calls echoing through the forest, and catch glimpses of animals swiftly moving from tree to tree.
The group will stop at Doong Village, enjoy lunch at a local home, and listen to stories about how the Bru–Van Kieu people established their village and have worked to protect the remote forests and mountains, even though it takes nearly a 4km walk just to reach the nearest road.
At Hang En, visitors will camp overnight inside the cave, enjoy the fresh air of the jungle, swim in the clear underground lake, and discover the magnificent geological formations that shaped this giant cavern. The enter entrance, the massive rock slope at the main entrance, the rocky passage into the middle chamber, and the majestic rear entrance are among the most photogenic spots in Hang En for visitors to capture unforgettable memories.
Travel guide to Hang En
Tour guidelines and registration requirements of Hang En
The Hang En Cave Adventure, along with other cave adventures in Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park such as Son Doong, Hang Ba, Hang Va, and the Tu Lan cave system, is operated exclusively by Oxalis Adventure.
Visitors are required to book in advance through the company’s official website via . After selecting an available departure date that fits their schedule, they can proceed with the reservation and fill in the necessary details. All personal information provided by visitors will be kept strictly confidential.
To join the trekking tour to Hang En, visitors need to meet the following requirements:
– Be between 16 and 70 years old and in good physical condition.
– Have prior trekking experience, such as at least one overnight trek or 2–3 day treks, with an average distance of around 8 km per day and elevation changes of about 300 meters.
– Maintain regular physical exercise or sports activities, and be able to climb five flights of stairs without shortness of breath or dizziness, as well as jog 5 km continuously within 50 minutes.
Getting to Hang En
To begin the Hang En trekking tour, visitors first need to travel to Phong Nha. From major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, there are several transportation options available, including flights, trains, sleeper buses, and private car services. Here are the suggested ways to get there:
– Airplane: Travelers can fly to Dong Hoi Airport (Quang Tri Province). Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, and Bamboo Airways operate direct flights from Noi Bai Airport (Hanoi) and Tan Son Nhat Airport (Ho Chi Minh City) to Dong Hoi. From the airport, which is about 45km from Phong Nha, visitors can take a taxi, hire a private car, or use Oxalis’ shuttle service to reach Phong Nha.
– Train: Travelers can take the train from major cities such as Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Hue, or Da Nang to Dong Hoi Railway Station. From there, they can continue the journey to Phong Nha by taxi, private car, or Oxalis’ transfer service.
– Sleeper bus: Travelers can reach Phong Nha directly by sleeper bus. Popular operators include Hung Long and Queen Camel from Hanoi, as well as Hanh Luyen from Da Nang and Hue.
– Private car: Visitors from nearby provinces such as Hue, Da Nang, and Hoi An can travel by private car provided by Oxalis, with prices starting from 2,700,000 VND per car.
Visitors who wish to hire a car from the above locations or from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha should provide specific timing information to the Oxalis travel consultant.
Detailed information about transportation options, travel guidance, and suggested itineraries has been updated in the article “How to Get to Phong Nha,” which interested visitors can refer to for more information.
The best time to visit Hang En
The best time to visit Hang En is from December to September, as the weather is dry and there is little rain, making it ideal for outdoor activities. From mid-September to the end of November, it is the rainy season, and trekking tours in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park are temporarily suspended. Some short-day tours at Hang Tien, such as Hang Tien – Tu Lan Discovery and Hang Tien Cave Day Trek, may still operate if the weather is favorable.
Visitors can explore Hang En from December to September, when the weather is dry and sunny
Some important notes for visiting Hang En
– Visitors are not allowed to sell or transfer their booked spots.
– Visitors should provide honest information about their health and physical condition.
– At the start of the expedition tour, visitors must follow all instructions and guidance from the tour guide.
– Respect and help protect nature: do not litter in the forest and do not touch the stalactites and stalagmites inside the cave.
– Do not use chemical soaps when bathing in the underground lake in Hang En.
Efforts to conserve and develop sustainable tourism at Hang En
With its tourism potential, significant scientific value, and a sustainable development orientation, conservation efforts and the establishment of eco-friendly tourism at caves and other tourist sites are highly prioritized by local authorities and businesses.
Oxalis Adventure is the operator of Hang En Cave Adventure tour and many other caves in the area. It has long been running with a focus on eco-friendly tourism, continuously enhancing the customer experience while simultaneously conserving nature.
Oxalis implements various measures such as using composting toilets, providing water filtration systems at campsites, removing all waste from the forest, marking paths inside caves, and encouraging visitors to join in protecting the environment. Expedition tours are also limited to 16 participants per tour and are suspended from mid-September to November to ensure safety during the rainy season and potential flooding.
In addition, Hang En is not only a magnificent tourist destination but also brings significant economic and social value to the local community. Hang En tours have created stable employment for many local workers, including porters, cooks, and tour guides, providing residents with additional income and a stronger connection to their homeland. Hang En tourism also contributes to the preservation of local culture, allowing visitors to learn about the daily life and traditional customs of the Bru – Van Kieu and Arem people.
After the trekking expedition to explore Hang En, visitors can rest at Chay Lap Farmstay and enjoy comfortable amenities amidst the rustic countryside. Chay Lap Farmstay is also conveniently located for travel to other popular tourist sites such as Chay River Dark cave (3.5km), Hava Valley (3.5km), Mooc Spring (6.3km), Paradise cave (10km), and so on.
Visitors who want to learn more about the local culture and the heroic wartime history in Phong Nha and along Victory Road 20 can visit Commander cave to experience 9D VR, Eight Voluntary Youths cave, and other sites, or join the Journey to Discover the Legendary Truong Son Trail tour operated by Chay Lap Farmstay.
