Possessing a wild and majestic beauty, Va Cave is not only a place to challenge your limits but also a journey that takes you into a magical world of stalactites, underground rivers and crystal clear streams. This 2-day-1-night trip is not only a journey to explore nature, but also an opportunity to connect with new friends from all over the world.
Exciting adventures await you at Va Cave
Va Cave discovery tours are organized from February to August every year, with only 700 to 800 visitors, not exploited in the remaining months during the rainy season. Through a survey of cave exploration within the Park 2 of Minh Hoa and Tuyen Hoa districts, on April 14, 2024, Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park Management Board announced the discovery of 22 new caves with many geological and geomorphological values and great potential for tourism development, including Va Cave.
At the entrance of Nuoc Nut cave
Waking up to a sunny morning in the cave paradise of Phong Nha, I eagerly prepared for the journey to explore Va Cave - one of the magnificent natural wonders newly discovered and experienced in Quang Binh, Vietnam. From the resort, I moved to the meeting point of the Oxalis office. When I arrived, I was surrounded by foreign tourists, which made me even more excited. This would definitely be an exciting trip!
Before departure, the tour guide gave an overview of the two-day, one-night trekking itinerary, things to note, as well as safety rules throughout the journey. In particular, we were carefully advised about dangerous animals and plants to avoid. Oxalis was also very thoughtful from the time of registration, asking in advance about diet, food allergies, and requiring visitors to assess their physical fitness and training to ensure they were healthy enough for the trip. There were a maximum of 10 visitors and more than 10 members of the company accompanying them, including guides, safety assistants and support staff carrying equipment during the expedition.
Majestic nature
After completing the commitment procedures and receiving the necessary equipment, I was officially ready for the journey to explore Va Cave. The cave is located deep in the core area of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, in Quang Binh province, located at km 28 on the West branch of Ho Chi Minh Road. Surrounding the cave are towering limestone cliffs, creating a wild and majestic scene.
First steps
Getting on the bus together, I felt both excited and nervous - this was my first time trekking and traveling with international tourists. On the bus, Ho An, the tour guide, told us about the history of the discovery of Va Cave. In 1992, the "cave king" Ho Khanh first found the cave, but it was not until 2012 that the British - Vietnamese expedition team officially surveyed and measured it. Interestingly, Ho Khanh was also the one who discovered the back door of Son Doong in 2010. Due to time constraints, the expedition team at that time could not thoroughly examine Va Cave, but when they returned later, they were amazed by its unique beauty.
Fish live in naturally created "lakes"
Ho An - Ho Khanh's nephew told the story with pride. "Uncle Khanh discovered the world's largest cave, Son Doong, then tourism here gradually developed, from which the people here also had jobs as porters leading the expedition tours." Listening to those stories, I was even more eager to explore. The whole group got acquainted, chatted happily, and soon arrived at the starting point. Each person carried a backpack with personal belongings, drinking water and trekking tools on their backs.
Climb over the highest rock ledge to reach the cone-shaped stalactite
As for me, in addition to my backpack, I also brought two cameras and a tripod - ready to work like a "warrior" entering the battlefield. The first steps on the trail through the forest opened up a whole new world, with endless green trees and strange creatures that made me constantly amazed. I walked and ran because my foreign companions had long legs and walked as fast as the wind, while I had to take three steps to keep up with one of theirs! Luckily, the porter team was very enthusiastic, willing to help, even holding the tripod for me when they saw me fumbling because of the heavy luggage.
After a long journey through the forest, we came to a dry stream, followed the water to enter Nuoc Nut Cave. This was the first stop. What surprised me was that the group had prepared a very thoughtful meal, each dish was not only nutritious but also incredibly delicious.
The whole group sat together enjoying every mysterious sound in the cave.
Go deep into the cave
After a break, we put on our helmets and gloves and entered the cave. The sparkling stalactites and strange little creatures made everyone amazed. The group had to squeeze through small, narrow crevices, sometimes crawling through tiny gaps, sometimes wading through cool underground rivers. Every time I had to swim across a stream, I had to carefully put my equipment in a waterproof box, then quickly take it out when I got to shore to capture the beautiful moments.
A memorable experience was when the whole group sat in a circle in the dark, turned off their flashlights and listened to the sounds of the cave: the sound of bats flapping their wings, the sound of water dripping from stalactites, the murmur of the underground stream. All blended together to create a mesmerizing natural symphony.
Continuing our journey, we crossed the stream to Va Cave. At this time, the porter instructed us how to use the safety belt, carabiner and rope to climb up to the cave entrance. After leaving some luggage at the campsite, the group returned to the stream to soak in the crystal clear water.
Soak in the crystal clear water
Conical stalactites
What I liked most about this trip was that all the activities took place right in the cave. In the evening, we gathered around the fire, enjoying a delicious meal prepared by the porters. In the quiet space without phone signals, without the noise of the city, my mind was completely relaxed. Each person had a small, pretty tent, carefully instructed to avoid insects crawling in. That night, I slept soundly after a long day full of experiences.
The Final Challenge
The next morning, we started off lightly before continuing our journey to conquer the majestic stalactites. One of the most impressive spots was the conical stalactite lake area - a place of breathtaking beauty but also full of challenges. The path was narrow, the rocks were sharp, and there were many slippery sections. With the help of a porter, we carefully climbed to the highest cave floor, where small waterfalls formed from underground streams created a picturesque scene.
After a break, the group started to return along the old path, crossing the rocky valleys and dry streams. The last leg was a steep climb, everyone was tired but still kept their spirits up. When we reached the finish point, everyone was bursting with joy. The group's vehicle was waiting with cold bottles of water. We congratulated each other and received badges for completing the challenge of conquering Hang Va.
When I returned to my daily life, I still could not forget the emotions that the trip left behind. A part of me still remained in Va cave, where I experienced challenging moments but also filled with wonderful moments. What I cherished most was the silence that I had during the trip. No noise from the city, no social media, just wild nature and the mysterious sounds of the cave.
Awarding commemorative badges to the "warriors" who completed the journey to conquer Va cave.
This trip not only helped me understand more about the majestic beauty of nature, but also taught me about inner strength, about overcoming my own limits. Although tired, I feel proud to have completed a journey that I never thought I could do before. And I know, this is just the beginning - I will continue to explore many new lands, continue exciting adventures in the future.
