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With its lush green vegetation, cool underground streams, caves with magnificent geological structures, and especially its layers of caves untouched by human footsteps, Hung Thoong is considered one of the most unique trekking routes in Vietnam today.
This journey to awaken its beauty didn't come from a large-scale planning project or an official state survey. It began with the enduring passion of a son of Central Vietnam – Le Luu Dung, founder of Jungle Boss Tours, who has spent over a decade roaming the jungle, living and working amidst nature as an integral part of it.
Mr. Le Luu Dung, founder of Jungle Boss Tours
Returning from the depths of the jungle with a mission of discovery.
Jungle Boss is one of the pioneering companies in developing adventure tours in Phong Nha, notably with its expeditions to conquer the Kong Sinkhole and the Hung Thoong cave system.
Opened to adventure tourism in 2022 after numerous surveys, Hung Thoong is not just a cave but a complex ecosystem encompassing deep caves, mountain lakes, underground streams, unique vegetation, and ancient limestone formations. Names like Hang Tron (Round Cave), Hang Hung (Hung Cave), Ho Lo Lung (Suspended Lake), and Nightmare Sinkhole have gradually become enchanting destinations for adventurers.
An adventurous destination worth conquering.
"When starting my business, I chose to keep the name Jungle Boss as a reminder of my origins: coming from the forest, understanding the forest, loving the forest - and always living responsibly towards the forest, whether in tourism or anything else," shared Mr. Luu Dung.
What makes Hung Thoong special is its secluded and isolated geological location. The valley is nestled amidst towering limestone mountains, where sunlight shines for only 3-4 hours a day. A turquoise underground stream meanders through the rocky crevices and pristine forest, creating stable humidity and temperature, resulting in an evergreen vegetation – a soothing, tranquil, and magical shade of green.
Floating Lake - A spectacular discovery in the untouched depths of space.
In May 2024, while Jungle Boss's cave exploration team was surveying Thung Cave, part of the Hung Thoong cave system, they unexpectedly discovered a completely new cave layer untouched by human footsteps. After two days of rappelling, wading through streams, and swimming over 3km across an underground river, the team reached a giant turquoise lake located on the main branch of the cave. This lake was named the "Suspended Lake," not only because of its precarious location between the cave layers but also because of the feeling of being suspended between two worlds: one world of light from the forest, and the other a deep, dark world within the rock.
At the Halfway Alley
This discovery not only created a buzz within the adventure community but also marked a crucial turning point in perfecting the 3-day, 2-night Hung Thoong trekking itinerary, a product currently considered by experts to be one of the most adventurous tours in Vietnam, offering the richest and most unique nature experiences.
The Hung Thoong trekking route is designed for those with good physical fitness, prior trekking experience, and a desire to push their limits in an absolutely pristine natural environment. During the 3-day journey, visitors will climb mountains, trek through forests, use ropes, swim across underground rivers, and camp in an isolated valley with no phone signal or modern amenities – just themselves and nature.
The highlight of the journey is the zipline experience at the 60-meter-high Nightmare sinkhole, a challenge not for the faint of heart. But in return, after overcoming their own fear, visitors will feel the pure happiness that only nature can provide.
Experience ziplining at the 60-meter-high Nightmare sinkhole.
Travel without leaving footprints
What sets Jungle Boss apart is not just its new routes, but also how it integrates tourism development with community livelihoods. Over 90% of the porters and guides on the Hung Thoong tour are locals, people who once lived off the forest, were once illegal loggers, or worked as freelance laborers.
Through rigorous training in safety skills, first aid, communication, rescue, and especially a sense of responsibility towards nature, they have now become silent but steadfast guardians of the forest. Many tourists, after their journeys, have kept in touch, returned to visit the porter families, and become close friends with the local people. A strong bond between humans and the forest is woven from these profound experiences.
Soda straws inside Hung Cave
The magical scenery at Thung Cave sinkhole.
Instead of treating nature as a resource to be exploited, the tour organizers in the Hung Thoong area choose to respect it as a living organism. The principles of "leaving no trace, cooking without smoke, and leaving no litter" are strictly adhered to. Each tour group is limited in size to minimize ecological impact, while regular surveys with the support of international experts continue to ensure safety and environmental balance.
Hung Thoong is not only an adventurous destination but also reflects a new approach to tourism – where exploration experiences are linked to an awareness of nature conservation and responsibility towards the local community.
Immerse yourself in the cool, refreshing water at Thung Cave.
In the coming years, Jungle Boss's journey of exploring nature will not stop at Hung Thoong. Untouched areas such as Bach Ma, Ta Du Waterfall, and Phi Lieng (Lam Dong) are being studied as potential next destinations. Alongside this is the process of enhancing professional capabilities, from tour organization and rescue techniques to operations, through cooperation with international organizations. A travelodge-style accommodation model combining nature experiences and local community engagement is also being developed as the next step in its development strategy. Hung Thoong is not for the masses. It is for those who dare to delve deep into nature to rediscover themselves.
