Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave)

Cave in Ha Long Bay

Sung Sot Cave, Ha Long Bay, Northern Vietnam
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Richard Mortel

Sung Sot Cave, the largest and one of the most famous caves in Halong Bay, is also among its most frequently visited attractions. If you’ve had a chance to read our post about Halong Bay’s must-see caves, you’ll understand why we’re so captivated by these stunning natural wonders. In fact, we believe some of these caves are so spectacular that they deserve a spot among the top 20 tourist attractions in the Halong Bay region.

Halong Bay, known for its 1,969 towering limestone pillars submerged in deep indigo waters, is dotted with ancient caves and grottoes, many of which are still unexplored. Currently, 59 caves have been officially recorded, including 23 newly discovered ones, each contributing uniquely to the bay’s distinctive ecosystem. Among them, Sung Sot Cave on Bo Hon Island stands out as the most iconic, earning a near-mythical status among those who visit this world-renowned bay. Nearby, you’ll find other notable sites like Titov Island, Bo Nau Grotto, Me Cung Cave, and Luon Cave.

Sung Sot Cave’s history dates back to its discovery by the French in 1901, who named it “Grotte des Surprises” or Surprising Cave, owing to its breathtaking interior—though the name only became popular about 40 years later. The cave opened to the public in 1993, just a year before Halong Bay was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. From 520-470 million BC, intense tectonic activity along with severe rainfall and flooding sculpted the region’s underwater mountains. Subsequent extreme weather conditions, including periods of intense heat and drought, led to the formation of the thick limestone seen today. The gradual erosion of these sea mountains gave rise to Halong Bay’s prized caves, with their ceilings often showcasing ripple-like patterns formed by the advancing sea.

Visiting Sung Sot Cave begins with a short boat ride to Bo Hon Island, followed by a climb up approximately 100 steps to the cave’s entrance. Covering an impressive 10,000 square meters—twice the size of the White House—and with a height of about 30 meters, the cave features a 500-meter long passage that leads visitors through two cavernous chambers. The first, resembling a small amphitheater, connects through a narrow passageway to the second, larger chamber capable of accommodating over a thousand people. The cave is adorned with an array of stalactites and stalagmites that fuel the legends and lore of the area.

The tradition of identifying shapes, animals, and patterns in the formations has become a beloved activity in Halong Bay, with Sung Sot Cave offering no shortage of imaginative interpretations. During tours, you might hear that certain stalactites resemble a horse and a long sword—a nod to the legend of Thanh Giong, a celebrated figure in Vietnamese folklore, who is said to have left these items to protect Halong Bay from evil spirits. Other formations are playfully recognized as mammoths, elephants, seals, flowers, and even a general rallying his troops, making each visit a uniquely interpretive experience guided by the rich folklore of the region.

The Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave) appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Ha Long Bay!

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!

Visiting Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave)

Price:

Entrance ticket: $13 – $33/pax (290.000 – 790.000VND/pax); Boat ticket: $8/pax (200.000 VND/pax).

Address: Sung Sot Cave Ha Long Bay, Halong City Quảng Ninh

Nearby Attractions

Similar Blogs