Visit En Cave in Quang Binh

Hang En  is one of the ideal places for those who are passionate about exploring and experiencing. Let’s learn more about the journey of conquering this mysterious cave that nature bestows on people with Vinpearl. 

1. Where is Hang En in Quang Binh?

Hang En is an extremely large cave located in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh province. The length of this cave is up to 1.6 km with 3 gates and the ceiling is up to 100m high and 170m wide. This cave is the 3rd largest in the world and is located after Son Doong cave and Deer cave in Malaysia. 

Hang En is the third largest cave in the world (Photo: lethanh.tra)

The cave was discovered by the British explorer Howard Limbert and his wife in 1994. The name comes from the image of swallows living in this area. 

In 2015, the image of Hang En and Son Doong cave was broadcast live by American Good Morning television. In the same year, En Cave along with the world heritage complex Trang An and Ha Long Bay were chosen as the setting in a famous movie called Peter Pan.

2. Experiences in Hang En have 1-0-2 attractions for tourists 

Not only famous for being a large cave, but the wild beauty of this place has attracted the attention of many domestic and foreign tourists. When coming to  Hang En,  you will get yourself some fascinating experiences with 1-0-2: 

2.1. Learn the life of Bru – Van Kieu people in Doong village

On the journey to discover En Cave, visitors will have the opportunity to experience the life of the Bru – Van Kieu ethnic group in Doong village. The lives of the people here are almost isolated from the outside world due to the rugged terrain. However, after the program to visit En Cave took place, people’s lives have improved significantly. 

People in Doong village almost live separately from the outside world (Photo: Collectibles)

With just a short 15-minute break at Doong village, visitors will have the opportunity to chat with the locals to better understand the life here. You will hear stories about the village, the mountains and their idyllic lives. 

2.2. Camping in Hang En

After a long walk and crossing the river, the slopes, visitors will come to the camping site to rest. In this journey, visitors will be gathered with the delegation to enjoy rustic dishes from Oxalis’s chefs with simple local ingredients. 

Camp in a cave and enjoy rustic dishes (Photo: Collectibles)

2.3. Admire the beauty of the unique stalactites

You will wake up to welcome the new day by the sound of birds chirping. The journey to discover En Cave right after will be stalactites with ages up to millions of years. These stalactites are formed in the cave by water droplets flowing down from the cave dome. 

The stalactites in Hang En are millions of years old (Photo: Collectibles)

Visitors will go through a distance of about 1.6km to reach the back door of Hang En. This place is a majestic primeval forest with all kinds of mysterious flowers. It makes you lost in a vast paradise between nature, heaven and earth. 

2.4. Witness the millions of swallows living in the cave with your own eyes

Wouldn’t it be interesting to witness with your own eyes the activities of millions of swallows residing in the cave? Don’t forget to take some good pictures. This is definitely  a check-in point in Quang Binh  with 1-0-2. 

3. When is the best time to explore Hang En?

The best time to explore En Cave is from mid-December to September. At this time, the temperature ranges from 12 to 15 degrees Celsius and is the most suitable temperature to explore. 

The best time to explore En Cave is from December to September (Photo: Collectibles)

However, the time to explore may depend on the visitor’s schedule. At any time of the year, if you are free and want to experience it, you can arrange an itinerary to explore Hang En 2 days 1 night. 

4. Means to Hang En 

There are many means for visitors to move to Hang En: 

• Airplane:  Visitors can travel by domestic flight from Ho Chi Minh City. Hanoi to City. HCM. These domestic flights are held daily and you can choose one of Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Jetstar Pacific or Bamboo Airways. 
• Train:  Train will depart at night and stop at Dong Hoi station. Then you need to catch a bus or take a taxi to get to Phong Nha. 
• Personal vehicle:  If you want to be more active in your schedule as well as being able to enjoy the scenery on both sides of the road during the trip, self-sufficient traveling by car/motorcycle will be a great choice.

After coming to En Cave, trekking activities are chosen by many young people to experience (Photo: Collectibles)

However, note for visitors that it is advisable to arrive in Phong Nha before departure date. This ensures the best preparation for the experience at Hang En. Please book your transportation in advance, especially during holidays and New Year because Phong Nha area is quite difficult to find vehicles in a short time. 

If visitors choose to come to Phong Nha earlier than the departure date of the Hang En tour, they can find many  famous and attractive tourist attractions in Quang Binh  . Places that are sought after by many people such as: Son Doong cave, Phong Nha cave, Nhat Le beach, General Vo Nguyen Giap’s tomb… then choose a safe and suitable place to stay.

5. Trekking Hang En is self-sufficient?

Currently, visitors cannot trek  Hang En on their own  , but must register for a tour of Oxalis Adventure. This is the only company currently allowed to conduct tours to explore the caves of Phong Nha – Ke Bang, including Hang En. This is because the exploration process at Hang En is quite dangerous and needs to be maximized in terms of health and safety. 

Visitors should register for a tour if they want to visit En Cave (Photo: Collectibles)

Visitors can rest assured that all staff including guides, assistants, porters… have been trained rigorously to ensure safety during the discovery process. The climbing tools are imported genuine from Europe and checked periodically. 

On the day of departure, visitors need to be there before 6:00 am to avoid missing the flight. In case you arrive at the meet up area earlier than the departure date, you can contact the company to arrange the best resting place. 

Departure time is around 7:30am – 8:00am. The company’s car will directly pick up at the hotel area where guests are staying. On the bus, the guides will give instructions on how to ensure safety, sign a disclaimer and receive safety equipment. 

6. Hang En tour schedule 2 days 1 night

Below is a 2-day itinerary to visit Hang En: 

6.1. Day 1: Phong Nha – Ban Doong – Overnight camping in En Cave

• 7h30 – 8h00:  Pick up guests at the hotel that tourists are staying in Phong Nha area and arrive at the meeting point at the Oxalis office. Here, you will hear instructions on procedures and safety issues during the trip to discover Hang En. 
• Noon:  After departure, the group will walk to a slope, through the forest and down a steep hill. When you come to Doong village, you will stop and have lunch at the village as well as learn more about the life of the people here. 
• Afternoon:  Continue to wade the stream for about 3 hours to reach the entrance of Hang En and prepare insurance to climb up the entrance to the cave. When standing from the top of the rocky mountain, visitors will see the entire campsite in the cave along with the majestic scenery around. Visitors receive tents at the campsite and are free to rest and swim. 
• Evening:  Enjoy delicious food right in the heart of Hang En. 

Camping by the stream, great experience when trekking Hang En waterfall (Photo: @tunguyenwedding)

6.2. Day 2: Visit Hang En 

• Morning:  After breakfast, the group will trek to reach the rocks behind the campsite. This is a place where visitors can explore more deeply the masterpieces nature has bestowed on Quang Binh. Visitors will feel lost in the world of fairyland with stalactites and large sandy beaches. Don’t forget to have your camera ready to capture this wonderful scene. 
• Noon:  The group waded through the underground river in the cave to return to the campsite, have lunch and rest. 
• Afternoon:  Depart from the cave with another path and conquer the challenge of wading through many streams, climbing uphill with an altitude of about 450m. Here, waiting for the delegation is a shuttle bus and cold beer to congratulate for overcoming difficult challenges during the 2 days 1 night journey. 
• Evening:  Pick up the group back to Phong Nha and end the tour. 

Don’t forget to prepare your camera to capture this wonderful scene (Photo: Collectibles)

7. Tourist places near En Cave in Quang Binh

Quang Binh is one of the extremely famous places with majestic natural beauty. Let’s find out right away about the most attractive tourist destinations when visiting Quang Binh: 

7.1. Chay River – Dark Cave

One of the attractive places on  the tourist map of Quang Binh  near En Cave is Chay River – Dark Cave. The landscape here is tropical with lush green forests surrounding the jade-colored water. You will have the opportunity to freely participate in adventure games and explore the mystery inside the Dark Cave.

The landscape here is tropical with green forests (Photo: Collectibles)

7.2. Tien Son Cave

Tien Son Cave  is also part of the Phong Nha Ke Bang relic cluster and is likened to a “fairytale place”. There are thousands of sparkling marble blocks that take on many different shapes. 

Tien Son Cave is likened to a “place of fairyland” (Photo: Collectibles)

7.3. son Doong cave

Son Doong Cave is one of the largest caves in the world and has just been discovered. This place is likened to the Great Wall of Vietnam because of the grandeur and magnificence of the landscape inside. 

Son Doong Cave is one of the largest caves in the world (Photo: Collectibles)

Besides its huge size, Son Doong also has an ecological system with diverse biological landscapes and rich vegetation. However, for reasons of safety and unspoiled beauty, Son Doong is not currently open to free visitors. To have the opportunity to visit and explore Son Doong cave, you need to book an expedition tour and ensure some health factors. 

7.4. Mooc Springs

Mooc Spring is located right near the Phong Nha – Ke Bang relic complex. This place is likened to an “emerald” with clear blue water and surrounded by majestic mountains. 

When having the opportunity to visit Mooc spring , visitors will be extremely impressed with the beauty of the cool blue water along with the unspoiled tropical forest. There are many interesting games such as kayaking, zipline… 

Mooc Spring is likened to an “emerald” (Photo: Collectibles)

7.5. Paradise Cave

Thien Duong cave is known as “the palace in the ground”. The magnificence of the splendid stalactites is what attracts tourists. The stalactites have diverse and rich shapes with many different colors. The longest wooden road and bridge system in Vietnam brings visitors to fully visit this mysterious cave. 

Thien Duong Cave is known as “the palace in the ground” (Photo: Collectibles)

8. What do you need to prepare for when going to Hang En?

Here are the items that you need to prepare when visiting and exploring En Cave: 

• 1 pair of pants and 1 long sleeve shirt
• 1 pair of shorts and 1 t-shirt to wear when camping
• 1 hat/cap if joining the tour in summer
• 1 pair of climbing shoes (should be specialized shoes)
• 1 pair of sandals
• 1 towel and 1 swimsuit
• 1-2 pairs of socks, long, thick
• Backpacks for personal belongings, water, adventure helmets
• Personal belongings: glasses, cameras, clothes, toiletries,…

Need to prepare enough furniture to trek En Cave (Photo: Collectibles)

The journey to discover  Hang En  is truly one of the best adventures that not everyone has the opportunity to experience. So, if you have the opportunity, enjoy it to the fullest and take lots of pictures for yourself.