Hang Sung Sot, called Surprise Cave in English, will amaze you with its incredible beauty if you visit this place. Therefore, on the journey to discover Ha Long for the first time, you will not be able to miss this beautiful shimmering cave.
Let’s start exploring together!
- The specific location of Surprise Cave
- Why is it called Sung Sot Cave?
- 3 ways to visit Sung Sot Cave in Ha Long
- What to see in Surprise Cave
- Notes when visiting this cave
- FAQ about visiting Sung Sot Cave
The specific location of Surprise Cave
Sung Sot Cave is located on a beautiful island in the middle of the sea of Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh province, Vietnam.
- This location is on the administrative Vietnam map: Bo Hon Island, Ha Long Bay, Bai Chay ward, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam.
- Ticket price to visit Sung Sot Cave: 290,000 VND/person for the day tour.
- Boat price to visit Sung Sot: 200,000 VND/person when joining the group sold at the counter.
The ticket price will be much higher if you choose to visit by cruise 2-day and 1-night or 3-day and 2-night on Ha Long Bay. Fortunately, there are many ships with all classes, from high-end to affordable, available for you to choose from.
Why is it called Sung Sot Cave?
The origin of this name originates from the discovery of the French scientist in 1901. When entering this cave, with its stunning beauty, he felt unstoppable and called it “Gotto de la surprise” in French, which means Cave of Surprise, and the locals call it Hang Sửng Sốt.
The name also says a lot about its charm, surely to give you an exciting feeling. Despite that, until 1992, one year before the Ha Long Bay complex was recognized by UNESCO as a world natural heritage, the Sung Sot Cave could welcome visitors, bringing hidden beauty to serve the needs of everyone’s exploration.
Since then, with an impressive name, Sung Sot Cave has been continuously rated as one of the most beautiful caves in Ha Long, at the top of the most beautiful caves in Vietnam and the world. This destination further confirms the intense attraction of the cave.
3 ways to visit Sung Sot Cave in Ha Long
You have to travel by boat or canoe to visit Sung Sot Cave because it is on the island.
Sung Sot Cave is in the series of Ha Long attractions of the sightseeing route No. 2, within 6 hours for a day tour, including Soi Sim Island, Ti Top Island, Sung Sot Cave, Bo Nau Cave, Ho Dong Tien Cave, Luon Cave, Trong Cave, Trinh Nu Cave, and Me Cung Cave.
So, when you want to visit Sung Sot Cave according to the sightseeing route, remember to choose the ticket of Route 2.
Here are the ways you can apply to get to this fascinating place.
Option 1: Visit the cave from Ha Long city
When you are already in Ha Long City, from the city center, you go on Hai Quan Street for about 4 km to get to Bai Chay ferry.
You will buy entrance tickets and boat or canoe services, and then move south about 14 km to Bo Hon Island.
When the ship docks at Bo Hon Island, you will begin exploring Sung Sot Cave.
Option 2: Visit Sung Sot Cave from Tuan Chau port
Tuan Chau Wharf is the place to park most boats of international standards, providing luxury travel packages to visit Ha Long Bay.
You go to the boat station in Tuan Chau Island to buy tickets for a 2-day and 1-night tour or a day to explore Sung Sot Cave.
Remember to buy a ticket for a tour, including Sung Sot Cave, because there are multiple sightseeing routes for different ships at Tuan Chau Wharf.
Option 3: Visit Sung Sot Cave on a Ha Long tour from Hanoi
No worries when you choose a package tour to visit Ha Long from Hanoi! The itinerary of one day, two days, or three days is available. In particular, the 2-day and 1-night boat tour often includes visiting Sung Sot Cave.
Just book a tour with a travel company and tell them the program includes visiting Sung Sot Cave. Then, you carry your backpack and follow the program. Everything is taken care of by the company. That’s easy!
What to see in Sung Sot Cave
The program to visit this cave starts when your ship leaves Ha Long Wharf. From one surprise to another, you will be surprised by the beauty nowhere else like that.
Amazingly beautiful with Ha Long on the way to visit the cave
Because Sung Sot is about 14km from the marina, on the way to the cave, you will cross the waves through hundreds of islands stretching over the deep blue water.
Do not sit still, then raise your camera to capture the beautiful scenery of clouds, water, and rocks everywhere along the way.
The steps to Sung Sot Cave
When the ship stops at Bo Hon Island Wharf, you will start walking to explore Sung Sot Cave.
The path from the marina to the mouth of the cave has many steps. You need to climb up 100 steps to the cave entrance, about 30 meters above sea level.
The path threads under the green foliage with a handrail on each step, and not too difficult to climb all these steps.
Don’t miss the opportunity to stop and look at the attractive space of the marina, rocky islands, and the sea. Every minute of sightseeing will make your heart lighter and more relaxed.
The incredible beauty in Sung Sot Cave
The main destination will gradually appear in your sight. You are immediately greeted with the gentle coolness emanating from the mouth of the Surprise Cave.
The stunning beauty stretches with every step you take in the 10,000-square-meter cave along the way.
Pay attention to the cave ceiling, which is artistically decorated with stalactites that look like glittering chandeliers.
The small lakes (not far from the mouth of the cave) will make an impression on you, like sparkling magic wells. The lakes are the result, created by small streams of water flowing from the ceiling through the limestone crevices.
Continue to step further on the small path leading you to a beautiful scene decorated with stalactites, like a lovely room of about 600 square meters. You will see that the air in the cave is very airy at this time.
Do not stop! You go deeper into the cave, then you will be amazed at the large space that opens. The incredible beauty of Sung Sot Cave is now revealed more, making you turn your head from one side to the other so as not to miss the wonderful images here.
This space has many paths waiting for you to discover. If you are traveling with friends or relatives, please move slowly to imagine together different images created from stalactites and stalagmites.
You may become a true nature explorer when thinking of various images from the fascinating ideas of the cave.
Notes when visiting this cave
- You need a boat or canoe to move to the entrance to visit this site. If you go with a few people and want a cheap trip, you can buy shared boat tickets at the wharf.
- If you want to visit Sung Sot Cave only, then you can book a private boat or canoes are also ready to serve you.
- You have to climb about 100 steps, so you need to pay attention to your health and wear comfortable shoes enough to climb uphill.
- You should bring a small water bottle in case you are thirsty because in the cave, although it is cool, it is a bit dry.
- A minus point when visiting the Surprise Cave is that many tourists often come to the cave at the same time.
- Although there is a system of colorful lights inside the cave, you need to prepare a good camera with a strong flash to get better photos here.
FAQ about visiting Sung Sot Cave
1. Should I book the ticket in advance?
Yes, it is much better to do so. Booking a tour to visit Sung Sot in advance gives you more peace of mind and care.
2. Why does the sightseeing ticket not include the boat fee?
It is because depending on the various needs, you can choose a boat or canoe, a medium-class boat, or a high-class cruise to visit Sung Sot Cave. Each type has different prices to meet the diverse requests of guests, so the boat tickets and sightseeing entrance fees are not sold together.
However, when you book an overnight boat tour on the bay, most companies include entrance tickets and cruise prices as a condition.
