Hang Va Expedition Tour
The 2-day, 1-night Hang Va Expedition takes travelers deep into Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park to discover one of the world’s most unique geological wonders: Hang Va’s extraordinary tower-shaped stalagmite pools. The journey also explores Nuoc Nut Cave, the final link in the underground river system of Son Doong before it emerges into the open stream. Beyond its spectacular landscapes, the expedition connects travelers with Vietnam’s wartime history at the Commander Cave Museum, once the headquarters of Station 14 along the legendary Victory Road 20.
Located within Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, home to more than 450 surveyed limestone caves, this area is known for geological landmarks such as Son Doong Cave (the world’s largest cave), Hang En Cave (the world’s third-largest cave), and Hang Va, discovered in 2012 and famous for its remarkable tower-shaped stalagmites rising from crystal-clear pools. Beyond their geological significance, these caves also played important strategic roles during wartime in Vietnam, serving as storage areas, shelters, and military headquarters.
- Commander Cave Museum: A historic site that once served as the headquarters of Station 14 during the construction and operation of the legendary Victory Road 20.
- Nuoc Nut Cave: The final link in an underground river system flowing from Hang En and Son Doong through Hang Va before emerging into an open stream and eventually joining the Son River.
- Hang Va: A remarkable cave located directly beneath Son Doong and only about 50 meters from the Great Wall of Vietnam. Its crystal-clear pools conceal rare tower-shaped stalagmites, creating one of the cave system’s most extraordinary geological formations.
- Camping in the primary forest: Spend a private night camping near the entrance of Hang Va, surrounded by rugged limestone mountains. With no city noise or crowds, you can enjoy the fresh mountain air and, weather permitting, a spectacular night sky.
- Limited departures: To protect safety, sustainability, and the privacy of the experience, the Hang Va Expedition operates only from January to August, with a maximum of 10 guests per group.
This 2-day, 1-night adventure brings together some of the region’s most impressive natural and historical highlights:
Thanks to their exceptional geological and adventure value, Hang Va and Nuoc Nut Caves were introduced in the "Otherworldly landscapes: 7 of Vietnam’s best cave experiences" by CNN Travel and named by Forbes as one of Asia’s coolest new adventures.
Itinerary
The Oxalis Hang Va tour schedules can be changed due to weather conditions. The jungle trail can be quite muddy and slippery when raining. Hang Va Cave Expedition itinerary, booking process, fees and other information are detailed below.
Download the itineraryPhong Nha - Commander Cave Museum - Nuoc Nut Cave - Hang Va Campsite
Your expedition begins between 7:30 – 8:00 AM with a pickup in Phong Nha and a transfer to the Oxalis headquarters. Here, you will join a safety briefing, sign the Release Form, and receive the essential equipment for the expedition.
The group will then travel by vehicle to Commander Cave Museum, a natural cave that was once transformed by Station 14 of Group 559 into a fortified seven-level strategic logistics base. During the resistance war against the United States in Vietnam, it served as a staging area for weapons, military equipment, and supplies, supporting the southern battlefield along Victory Road 20. As you enter the cave, you will discover the remaining traces of a brutal wartime period and gain a glimpse into the lives of the soldiers who stayed and worked here day after day.
After leaving Commander Cave Museum, the Oxalis bus will take the group to Km 25 to begin the jungle trekking section of the journey. From the drop-off point, a 30-minute jungle trek leads you along a forest path to the entrance of Nuoc Nut Cave. Here, you will enjoy a picnic lunch before gearing up with helmets, headlights, and gloves. Entering Nuoc Nut requires navigating a low opening, but once inside, the cave opens up into a mysterious underground world. You will marvel at massive sandbanks, unique rock formations, and perhaps spot the rare albino insects adapted to life in total darkness.
The adventure intensifies as you leave the large passages of Nuoc Nut to navigate the narrow connection leading toward Hang Va. After maneuvering through this thrilling technical section, you will be rewarded with a refreshing swim in the cool waters of the Hang Va stream passage. Finally, you will don a safety harness to climb out of the cave entrance, emerging right at your campsite located deep in the jungle. A well-earned dinner awaits you in this spectacular natural setting.
Hang Va - Phong Nha
The exploration continues upstream into the heart of Hang Va. This section is physical and exciting, requiring you to maneuver through narrow rocky crevices before opening up into a beautiful stream passage. Here, you’ll witness a unique phenomenon: water spouts cascading from the cave ceiling like natural showers.
The highlight of the expedition awaits in the upper level. Using safety harnesses, you will climb into the Tower Cone Passage. Walking on a specially designed path to protect the fragile formations, you will stand in awe of the rare tower cones – thousands of stalagmites rising from the water like a submerged city. Amidst this surreal landscape, your guides will share the fascinating history of the cave's discovery by Mr. Ho Khanh and the British-Vietnamese Cave Expedition Team, including the geological link between Hang Va and the massive Son Doong Cave.
After returning to the lower passage and exiting the cave, enjoy a final lunch at the jungle campsite. Pack up and prepare for the trek out, which involves navigating a rocky pass and descending into the Hang Va Valley. A driver will meet you at the road for the return transfer, arriving in Phong Nha around 5:00 PM.
Suggested itinerary before and after the tour:
To ensure the best preparation before your journey or to relax after the expedition, Oxalis suggests staying at Chay Lap Farmstay if you wish to combine exploring Phong Nha with experiencing a peaceful countryside atmosphere, or Blue Diamond Retreat if you prefer to immerse yourself in nature and enjoy relaxing moments amidst the mountains and forests. Special discounted rates exclusively for Oxalis guests are 1,100,000 VND/room/night at Chay Lap Farmstay and 1,600,000 VND/room/night at Blue Diamond Retreat.
During your time in Phong Nha, the Phong Nha Caves Exploration Museum (open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, free admission) is a must-visit destination. Here, you can experience the Son Doong 5D VR technology for 500,000 VND per ticket. All proceeds from this activity are contributed to the Oxalis Foundation to support local community projects, making your journey even more meaningful.
Gallery
Difficulty Level and Physical Fitness Requirements
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Requirements: Within the last 12 months, participants must have completed at least one overnight trekking tour OR one to two day-hikes (covering a minimum of 6 km per day on steep, rocky jungle terrain, with an elevation gain of at least 500 m). Participants must demonstrate a baseline level of physical fitness by either climbing five flights of stairs continuously or running 5 km on flat ground within 45 minutes, without experiencing signs of physical distress such as dizziness, blurred vision, headaches, or nausea. Participants must not have any medical conditions listed by Oxalis as contraindications for mountain trekking or caving activities.
Suitable for: Guests with trekking experience and good physical fitness.
Tours with the same Difficulty Level: Hang Va Expedition Tour 2D1N , Hang En Cave Adventure 2D1N, Tu Lan Cave Encounter 3D2N, Hang Tien Endeavor Tour 3D2N, Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer Tour 4D3N.
Terrains
The tour takes place in remote areas with complex terrains. Customers must be physically fit. Please carefully read the tour itinerary and honestly fill out the booking information yourself, especially your experience and health condition.
- 15km of mountain trekking with rough terrain
- 7km cave exploration
- 100m underground swimming
- Elevation gain: 150m
- Trekking through underground stream passages
- Using rope and technical equipment
- Intermittent cave crawling through narrow sections (totaling 20m)
For more information on the necessary physical activities for a successful trip, please refer to: /getting-ready-oxalis-tour/index.html.
Safety on the tour
This is always the top priority of all Oxalis Adventure tours to ensure the safety of both visitors and Oxalis’ staff on any trip. We only use high-quality equipment meeting international standards, mainly imported from France, the UK, and Switzerland. The guide team must undergo professional training and be tested for skills regularly. Only qualified Oxalis guides are allowed to lead Oxalis tours. Visitors can learn about the "safety management" and "safety equipment" that Oxalis uses here.
By signing the Release Form, visitors agree to follow all tour safety regulations and the instructions of the cave experts and guides throughout the expedition. To ensure the safety of the entire group, the safety experts and guides have the authority to require any guest to end the expedition if they fail to comply with the safety regulations explained during the briefing.
* Please note that tour communication is conducted in English and Vietnamese.
Preparation for the Hang Va Expedition
The Hang Va Expedition tour includes 1-night camping in the forest, so the items you need to prepare are quite simple. However, for a caving and camping tour in Vietnam, visitors will be asked to prepare suitable clothing for safety and comfort. Clothing should be good for trekking in the jungle, river crossings, or exploring the cave as well as avoiding dangers and risks from sharp rocks, snakes, insects, or poison ivy.
Long trousers and long-sleeved tops should be worn. Trekking shoes play a very important role in adventure tours like the Hang Va Expedition. Visitors need to choose a good and well-fitting pair of shoes for steep rocky terrain. Besides, they also need to prepare personal items for 1 night’s camping in the jungle. The Oxalis tour consultant will give you helpful advice before joining the Hang Va tour in Quang Tri, Vietnam.
You need to prepare
Essential clothing
- Trekking clothes:
- 1-2 quick-dry, bright, long-sleeved shirts
- 1-2 pairs of long trekking pants (quick-dry)
- 1 waterproof jacket (winter months December to March) - Campsite clothing sets:
- Warm clothes for winter from December to March
- Shorts and T-shirts for summer from April to August - 1 pair of good gripping trekking/approach closed shoes. Heavyweight trekking boots are not necessary
- 2 pairs of calf-length, thick socks
- 1 pair of sandals/slides for campsite
Personal items
- Mosquito repellent
- Sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen
- Hand fan for summer (April to August)
- 1 medium towel
- Underwear
- Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, nature-friendly shampoo & soap, …)
- Power banks
- Personal medication
- Antifungal foot powder
- Passport
Provided by Oxalis
- Camping equipment: tent, mattresses, pillow, sleeping bags
- Caving and safety gears: helmet, headlight, gloves, …
- 1 PVC backpack (25L) to carry helmet, dry box, water and things you need during the trek.
- Basic trekking shoes are available to borrow from Oxalis (sizes 36-44). If you use Oxalis shoes, please bring thick socks and two pairs of insoles to help prevent blisters. A VND 50,000 cleaning fee applies.
- Dry box for electronic devices
- Water bottle (1L)
- Water purifier
- Compost toilet, toilet paper, hand cleaner
- Semi-dry bag (15L) for campsite clothing sets and personal items
- First-aid kit and medical rescue equipment
- Satellite phone
Optional items
- Arm cover if wearing short-sleeved T-shirts
- Camera & Tripod
- Ear plugs
- Bandana or headband
- Rehydration tablets
- Blister prevention tape
Food and drinks in the tour
Although the expedition takes place deep in the primary forest and inside the cave, you will be provided with three meals a day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Oxalis has a dedicated team of cooks who prepare fresh ingredients brought directly to the expedition route, ensuring you receive the nutrition you need throughout the long days of trekking.
For your health and safety, all drinking water served during the expedition is treated through a specialized water filtration system and thoroughly boiled at the campsites to meet strict safe drinking-water standards. Hot drinks such as tea and coffee are also available.
The menu offers a variety of options, including standard, vegetarian, and special-diet meals. If you have specific dietary requirements or food allergies, please note them on your booking form so the Oxalis team can make the necessary preparations in advance.
Camping, Showers and Hygiene During the Expedition
Located in a small valley next to the entrance of Hang Va Cave, this campsite is surrounded by primeval forest, where you can feel and touch nature, especially on moonlit nights, or waking in the early morning to the dawn chorus. The campsite is fenced with protective nets to prevent snakes from entering the camp at night. It is also located in a high valley which is not affected by floods. You must not go outside the campsite without your guide
Hang Va Campsite is in the middle of the forest 50m away from the cave entrance. Therefore there are no bathing facilities in the camp. Swimming and refreshing yourself can be done in the river passage inside Hang Va before you exit. However, no soap or shampoo is allowed.
Tents: At each campsite, you will stay in tents specially designed by Oxalis. Double tents measured 1.5m x 2m, while single tents measured 1m x 2m, and is set on a sturdy raised platform 30 cm above the ground, helping minimise moisture and insects. The tent walls are made of breathable mesh, with a fan provided inside to keep the space cool while allowing you to stay connected with the surrounding natural environment. Each tent is also equipped with a mattress, pillow, and sleeping bag, all thoroughly cleaned before every expedition to ensure a comfortable night’s sleep.
Toilets and water facilities: Each campsite is equipped with modern toilets and convenient shower facilities. All water used for washing and other daily needs is carefully treated through a filtration system to ensure safe use throughout the expedition.
Waste management and environmental protection: To help preserve the cave ecosystem, 100% of solid waste generated during the expedition is carried out of the cave. For wastewater and toilet waste, Oxalis uses portable septic tanks combined with an advanced filtration system to ensure that discharged water meets Vietnam’s strict environmental standards.
Tour booking process
This is a tour that requires careful logistical preparation from both guests and Oxalis. Reading the tour information thoroughly will help you make an informed decision before booking. If you have any questions or are unsure about anything, please chat with an Oxalis adventure consultant using the chat icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen, or contact us via hotline at +84 919 900 357 for assistance. The booking process is as follows:
Step 1: Learn about the tour
Visit oxalisadventure.com to learn more about the itinerary, highlights, adventure level, tour price, and most importantly, the health and fitness requirements.
Step 2: Choose your departure date
Click “Book Now” on the tour page to view the available departure dates. Available dates will be shown on the calendar. Select your preferred date and enter the number of participants.
Step 3: Provide your information
Complete your contact details accurately, especially your email address and phone number. You must provide truthful information about:
- Your health condition and any medications you are currently taking;
- Allergies or special dietary requirements, such as vegetarian meals or food allergies;
- Trekking experience;
- Exercise frequency and level of physical activity.
Important: Oxalis reserves the right to cancel your booking without a refund if any information provided is found to be false or incomplete, particularly information related to your health and physical fitness.
Step 4: Complete your booking request
Select any additional services you may require, such as transfers or accommodation at Chay Lap Farmstay and Oxalis Home.
Read and agree to the booking terms and conditions, then click “Submit Booking Request.” The system will send a booking code to your email address.
Step 5: Consultation and information confirmation
Within 48 working hours, an Oxalis travel consultant will contact you by email or phone to:
- Provide detailed information about the expedition;
- Confirm your booking details;
- Assist with arranging any additional services you have requested.
Step 6: Payment
Once your information has been confirmed, Oxalis will send you an invoice and payment instructions.
You must complete the payment within 24 hours of receiving the payment instructions. After this period, your booking request may be automatically cancelled.
Step 7: Booking confirmation
Once Oxalis receives your payment, you will receive an official booking confirmation by email.
From this point, you can begin preparing your clothing, equipment, and fitness for the expedition.
Terms of tour cancellation
The Hang Va Expedition tour has only 1500 guests each year, so available slots are booked quickly. To confirm your booking, you will be required to pay the tour deposit after completing the booking process. Guests can receive a full refund if the cancellation is 7 days before departure.
Cancellations after 7 days are non-refundable. Please see the cancellation terms here.
Tour price and available dates for booking
- Season: Tours operate from December to August every year.
- Group Size: Limited to 10 guests per tour for safety and conservation.
- Tour Types: Fixed departure dates for individuals; private tours available for special groups or film crews.
- Exclusive Offer: Enjoy a 10% discount for UOB cardholders and Xiều Oxalis (returning guests).
- Last-Minute Booking Notice: Online bookings close at 19:00 (7:00 PM) the day before departure. For bookings after 19:00, please contact our Adventure Team via chat box or Hotline at +84 919 900 357 (Call/WhatsApp) for immediate assistance and slot availability.
Useful Information Must read
Hang Va Expedition Tour
Duration: 2 days 1 night
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Age 16-70 years old
Group size: 10 customers (Join-in)
Operation: December to August
~USD 355 • VND 9,400,000/pax
Book nowWhether you prefer long treks, camping in a cave, sleeping under the stars in the jungle, swimming underground in river caves, explore the huge dry caves or just taking an exploratory day trip, Oxalis Adventure Tours can provide the right amount of adventure just for you.
__637051765075307793.jpg)
__637051782550081035.jpg)
__637051777074859032.jpg)
__637051780703588520.jpg)
__637051774329206026.jpg)
__637740499994967442.jpg)
