Exploring Sung Sot Cave, Halong Bay

Exploring Sung Sot Cave (Surprising Cave), Vietnam

As you walk up the steps to the entrance of Sung Sot Cave, you think this may just be another cave on your busy itinerary. However, roughly 15 minutes later when you enter the final cavern, you realize this is not just any cave. This is one of the most spectacular caves in existence! This is a real treat to see and causes you to think how many more places like this are in our world yet to be discovered!

We have been in many cave systems before but this was definitely the largest we saw
We have been in many cave systems before but this was definitely the largest we saw

A little bit about Sung Sot Cave

Sung Sot Cave is located on Bo Hon Island in Halong Bay. Discovered by the French in 1901, they termed it “Grotte des Surprises”, or Surprising Cave, which it is still sometimes called.  The cave is about 25m above sea level and is roughly 10,000m² in size. Comprising of two main caverns with lots of formations, it is a beauty to behold. With the formations being called after various folklore objects and heroes you will often see people squinting trying to figure out how the formations are called their individual names.

The giant pillar in the last cavern
The giant pillar in the last cavern

Getting to Sung Sot Cave

As with most places on Halong Bay, you can only get here by boat. Most often the cruise boats. You will arrive at the dock by tender and make your way up some steps to the entrance of the cave. The steps are not too steep but may still be a little hard on people not used to steep stairs or with bad legs. Take your time and you will get there no fear. 

The entrance to the cave is at the bottom left of the image and the exit to the centre
The entrance to the cave is at the bottom left of the image and the exit to the centre
This was the entrance that the French used when discovering the cave
This was the entrance that the French used when discovering the cave

The First Section of Sung Sot Cave

On entering the cave you think it’s just like many other caves you have been in. Except for the little pool that is located close to you. The artificial light is set up nicely and it gives a very peaceful feeling being there. After looking around for a few minutes you make your way to the steps at the back of this section and go through the passage into the first actual chamber of the cave.  

The first part of the cave has a shallow pool but is nothing for what is yet to come
The first part of the cave has a shallow pool but is nothing for what is yet to come
Misha making her way into the second cavern, the cave is quite well lit up and steps are built in
Misha making her way into the second cavern, the cave is quite well lit up and steps are built in

The Waiting Room

The Waiting Room is the first chamber and is quite large. There are some lovely formations including pillars all around the chamber. The artificial light is set up nicely to give the proper atmosphere to the place casting nice shadows and giving you just enough light to see by, but not too much to take away the feeling of being in a cave.

One of the rock formations in the second chamber
One of the rock formations in the second chamber

Looking up at the ceiling you see the pock-marked surface. You may be wondering what caused this. Many many years ago Sung Sot Cave was filled with water; the flowing of the water through the cave is what caused some parts of the ceiling to erode in the design of the surface above. It’s a fascinating design and one which would be hard for man to replicate if he tried.   

The ceiling shows evidence of the water that once filled the cave
The ceiling shows evidence of the water that once filled the cave

The Serene Castle

Off into the final chamber we go. Now its time to see why the French called it “Grotte des Surprises”! On entering this chamber you are immediately blown away by the vastness of the cavern in front of you!

Coming into the final chamber its easy to see why it the French named it Cave of Surprises
Coming into the final chamber its easy to see why it the French named it Cave of Surprises

In front of you stands a giant pillar, look closely and see the engraving of a name on it. This is belonging to one of the French explorers who discovered the cave.

The name of one of the French explorers who first discovered the cave, he inscribed his name in the large pillar in the largest cave
The name of one of the French explorers who first discovered the cave, he inscribed his name in the large pillar in the largest cave

The cave has the same ceiling design as the last cavern. Following a winding path around the cavern you will be in awe at the size and the majesty of it all. This is nature at its most creative. Millennia have gone into building this theatre and now we get to gaze on it for a fleeting second.    

The last cavern is immense in size and pictures cannot do it justice
The last cavern is immense in size and pictures cannot do it justice

Again the artificial light is set up well in this cavern. Natural light comes in from the exit at the back but just enough again to create the right atmosphere.

Daylight seeps into the cave in places but there is also artificial light to show the formations properly
Daylight seeps into the cave in places but there is also artificial light to show the formations properly

Leaving the Cave

Continuing along the path you make your way towards the exit. Looking back into the cave for one last time you still can’t comprehend how immense it is. It’s also hard to not think about how this may never have been discovered. From such a small opening to open into something so vast and colossal is amazing. How many more of these places lie undiscovered? Maybe never to be discovered by humans.

Looking back into the cave from the exit point
Looking back into the cave from the exit point

At the exit there is a viewing platform where you can look over Halong Bay and once again take in the beauty of this part of the world from a height. Leaving the platform you make your way down more steps to the dock where your tender is waiting for you. This has been a worthwhile trip; this is something you will remember. Sung Sot Cave will leave a lasting impression on you forever.

The exit also has a viewing platform where you can look over the bay
The exit also has a viewing platform where you can look over the bay
The exit of Sung Sot Cave as seen from the boats, its hard to imagine the enormity of the caverns inside from seeing this opening
The exit of Sung Sot Cave as seen from the boats, its hard to imagine the enormity of the caverns inside from seeing this opening
The view of Halong Bay from the exit of Sung Sot Cave
The view of Halong Bay from the exit of Sung Sot Cave
The steps leading from Sung Sot cave are quite steep but not as bad as the ones on Titop Island
The steps leading from Sung Sot cave are quite steep but not as bad as the ones on Titop Island

– Information if you are planning this activity

Cost: Entry is included as part of your cruise if you have asked for it.
When to do: Daylight hours all throughout the year.
Duration of activity: Approximately one and a half hours in total.
What to bring with you: A light source is useful but not necessary, possible something warm to wear, as in all caves it can get chilly underground. Water and a camera that is good in low light shooting.
Location: For the location in Google Maps please click here.

Our Vietnam Travel Guide

  • For our Vietnam Travel Guide with information for people looking to travel to Vietnam please click here.

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