Considered one of the most beautiful caves in Ha Long Bay, for many tourists, Sung Sot Cave (or Surprising Cave) is a must-see destination in the bay.

What is it about this cave that makes so many people fascinated? Let’s find out with Fola Travel!

Overview of Sung Sot Cave

Sung Sot Cave is situated on Bo Hon Island, a stunning island in the middle of Halong Bay. Over the years, Bo Hon Island has drawn a lot of interest from international travelers due to its abundance of stunning and enchanted lakes and caves.

Cruises visiting Bo Hon island. — Cruises visiting Bo Hon Island.

Sung Sot Cave, located on Ha Long Bay’s second tour route, which is also the most popular tour route, has become one of the most well-known and beloved Ha Long tourist landmarks.

What makes Sung Sot (Surprising) Cave special?

The path that leads from the island to Sung Sot Cave is steep, narrow, and shrouded in lush greenery. Upon arriving at the summit of the cave and entering, visitors will be “surprised” by the vast area that unfolds before their eyes.

Sung Sot Cave is covered in thousand-year-old stalactites and stalagmites, growing in clusters with strange shapes, towering from the cave floor or hanging down above visitors’ heads. The colored lighting system brings the stalactites to life with enchanting movement, giving visitors the impression that they were transported into a fairytale.

Guests visiting a cave in Halong Bay. — Visiting Surprising (Sung Sot) Cave.

The further you walk, the wider the cave becomes, welcoming tourists with strangely formed rocks like Saint Giong and the sword, as well as creatures like elephants and seals. The limestone peaks, together with the little lake, appear to form a royal stone garden inside Sung Sot Cave, creating an unforgettable magnificent beauty.

A corner in sung sot cave with a ray of light in the middle. — Sung Sot Cave.

Sung Sot Cave is blessed with natural beauty that may astound visitors, earning it the reputation of “the most beautiful cave in Ha Long Bay.”

History

Aside from the mystical beauty of the stalactites, Sung Sot Cave is linked with several fascinating historical stories. Legend has it that Saint Giong, a saint who battled to safeguard Vietnam, left his sword and horse in Sung Sot Cave before flying to heaven. Today, little pools may be found around the cave, which are thought to be remains of horse hoof tracks.

The name Sung Sot is also related to an intriguing story: in 1901, a group of French scientists discovered this cave and were so captivated by its incredible beauty that they named it “Grotte de la surprise” – the cave of surprise and astonishment.

A girl standing in Sung Sot Cave with some other guests walking behind. — Guests visiting Sung Sot Cave.

How to get to Sung Sot Cave?

As previously stated, Sung Sot Cave is situated on Bo Hon Island, approximately 14 kilometers south of Bai Chay Port in Ha Long.

You must rent a boat or take a cruise on Ha Long Bay’s second tour route in order to reach Sung Sot Cave. Because this is the most popular route, there are several day and overnight boats available.

Day boat: 6 – 7 hour itinerary, suitable for tourists who have little time to visit the bay. Cruises visiting Sung Sot Cave often go to Ti Top Island and Luon Cave (also located on Bo Hon Island). Some popular day boats include Hercules Premium & Luxury Cruises, Sea Lion Cruise, Halong Diamond Cruise, Sea Octopus Cruise, and Halong Luna Cruise.

See more: Best Halong Bay day cruises 2025.

A cruise sailing towards Surprising Cave.

Overnight boat: 2-day-1-night or 3-day-2-night itinerary, sleeping overnight on the boat. With overnight cruises, tourists can visit numerous famous tourist destinations in Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay, including islands, beaches, caves, and fishing villages. High-rated overnight cruises with a tour to Sung Sot Cave are: the Aquamarine Cruise, Grand Pioneers Cruises, Lily Luxury Cruise, Hermes Cruise, and Catherine Cruise.

Infomation

– Peak Season: November – April

This time of year, Ha Long Bay has incredibly lovely weather with lots of sunlight and minimal rain. As a result, more people are visiting Ha Long Bay, which has made tourist attractions like Sung Sot Cave increasingly crowded. Now is a fantastic time to arrange a cruise to see the bay if you enjoy being outside and don’t mind the crowds and bustle.

– Low Season: May – October

Summer is the bay’s low season since it brings high temperatures and a lot of rain. During this period, visitors to Sung Sot Cave and Ha Long Bay can experience a new kind of serene beauty. You don’t have to worry about the weather in Sung Sot Cave because it’s inside the mountains. However, if you plan to partake in outdoor activities, you should carefully check the weather at Ha Long Bay before booking a cruise.

Ti Top Island

Ti Top is one of the most beautiful islands in Halong Bay, where you can swim and relax on the white sandy beach, or hike to the top to admire the breathtaking Halong panorama.

Pelican Cave

This cave holds rich historical and scientific value in Ha Long Bay. From the entrance of Pelican Cave, you can admire the natural landscape of Ha Long Bay with poetic limestone mountains.

Luon Cave

This is the most famous water cave in Ha Long Bay, suitable for kayaking or renting a bamboo boat for sightseeing.

Me Cung Cave

Located on Lom Bo Island near Ti Top Island, Me Cung Cave impresses with its magical stalactite chambers like a matrix created by nature.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to get in and out of Surprising Cave?

After arriving at Bo Hon Island, to get to Surprising Cave, you have to climb up 50 steps to the top, then walk down another 10 steps to reach the gate of Surprising Cave. You will get out of the cave by another gate, walking down to the island. All the steps are quite steep, and some parts don’t have handrails.

2. Is Sung Sot Cave suitable for people with reduced mobility?

Sadly no. As stated above, you need to walk and climb quite a bit to explore Sung Sot Cave, and a few parts don’t have handrails for easy accessibility. If you are elderly or have reduced mobility, we recommend checking in with a doctor before visiting.

Please note that all activities on our cruises are optional, so you can stay on the cruise if you don’t feel like visiting the cave. To have further assistance or alternatives, you can reach Fola Travel through Hotline/ WhatsApp at +84.986.332.366.

3. Do you have to pay any fee to visit Surprising Cave?

You don’t have to pay a separate fee, but you need to buy the ticket for the tour route 2 of Halong Bay. If you book a day or overnight cruise from Fola Travel, all sightseeing fees are included in the price, so you don’t have to worry about that!