Trekking through forests and streams to explore Tu Lan Cave.

The Tú Làn cave system is located in Tân Hóa village, Minh Hóa district, Quảng Bình province. It is approximately 70 km northwest of the Phong Nha - Kẻ Bàng National Park, within its core zone. Compared to other caves, Tú Làn was only discovered in 2009.

The Tu Lan cave system comprises 10 caves of varying sizes, including Hung Ton cave, discovered in 1992, while the other 9 caves were found in recent years. Tu Lan is becoming increasingly well-known and is an ideal destination for those who love trekking, mountain climbing, and exploration.

In 2016, a Hollywood film crew chose the Tu Lan Valley to shoot some scenes for the blockbuster "Kong: Skull Island". In 2018, director Victor Vu also chose Tan Hoa as the setting for the film "The Immortal". The fact that famous directors and film studios choose Tan Hoa as a filming location has helped attract more and more tourists to this area.

What is so fascinating about the Tú Làn cave system?

A stunning system of stalactites and stalagmites.

One of the masterpieces that Mother Nature has bestowed upon Tu Lan is its system of stalactites and stalagmites. In the Tu Lan cave system, the place with the most beautiful stalactites is probably Son Cave. Visiting here, tourists will be able to admire stalagmites in many different shapes.

A series of amazing experiences

The journey to explore the caves in the Tú Làn system intertwines different terrains: exploring caves, trekking through forests, wading through streams, swimming through caves, and then trekking through forests and swimming through caves again.

A distinctive feature of Quang Binh caves is the presence of underground rivers within the caves, or underground rivers leading into the caves (relying on underground rivers is how explorers discovered Son Doong using modern equipment, in addition to the local person who discovered Son Doong in the 1990s, Mr. Ho Khanh).

Throughout the trip, visitors will have to trek through the cave and swim at least 2 km in the underground river. Swimming while carrying luggage on their shoulders, dodging submerged rocks, and feeling something constantly tugging at the bottom is incredibly exciting. Sometimes, deep within the cave, visitors may encounter low waterfalls formed by uneven rocks, creating a lively, echoing sound.

Some caves welcome visitors with arched doorways overflowing with flowers, plants, and chirping birds, while others greet visitors with towering rock formations, narrow crevices barely wide enough for half a person to squeeze through, and sheer rock walls that require careful maneuvering and clinging. In such situations, with a large backpack on their shoulders, visitors must skillfully maneuver to navigate through the narrow passages.

Just beyond the caves lies the forest, and after traversing the forest, you reach another cave. The stunning cave entrances, surrounded by waterfalls and fallen trees, create a picturesque scene that makes visitors want to immerse themselves in the stream and never leave.

When is the best time to explore Tu Lan Cave?

The Phong Nha cave exploration tours are held from November to September each year, with a two-month break to avoid flooding and also to allow the caves to "rest" before the new forest exploration season begins.

The best time to visit Tu Lan is from February to May, but the rainy days at the end of the year seem to make it even more beautiful.

How long should one spend exploring Tu Lan Cave?

According to the difficulty level classification above, exploring Tu Lan offers various options. For example, exploring Tu Lan at level 2 (moderate) is suitable for a one-day or two-day/one-night trip. Or, if you want to conquer level 3 (more difficult), you should go for three days and two nights. Finally, at level 5 (difficult), it's suitable for four days and three nights.

However, to fully explore these amazing destinations, you should go for 3 days and 2 nights. A 3-day, 2-night trip to Tu Lan Caves will allow you to explore the most beautiful caves such as Chuot Cave, Kim Cave, Hung Ton Cave, Ken Cave, Song Oxalis Cave, Tien Cave 1, Tien Cave 2, and Secret Cave… as well as gain many interesting experiences about the lives of the local people.

Should you go on a tour or travel independently?

To explore Tu Lan Cave in Quang Binh, you must choose a tour organized by Oxalis to ensure safety throughout your journey, as this is a very pristine cave, little known to many. Furthermore, to ensure that the geological structure of the caves is not affected, local authorities do not allow independent exploration.

Bo Di