This is the fifth episode about Phong Nha and the Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park. After trekking through the forest and Fun Cave, we explored Hang Tien this time.
In this trek, we hiked through rugged terrain, ziplined over an underground river, and explored a cave with one of the largest entrances in Vietnam. This trip also gave us a chance to connect with the local community, stay in a homestay, and share an authentic Vietnamese meal with the people who call this place home.
The Trekking Experience
We arrived at the campsite by the river around 4 PM. Some people went for a swim, and so did I! The place had a small sauna, which was nice, and we had dinner before gathering around the campfire to chat and relax. By 8 PM, we were all ready to head to bed.
The next morning, we woke up at 7 and had a big breakfast. These treks always come with amazing meals. After that, we packed up our gear and got ready for the second day of the trek. The second day was supposed to be way more challenging than the first—steep climbs, rocky descents, and caves waiting to be explored.
At the end of the day, there would be beer waiting for us, and soft drinks for those who didn’t drink. There used to be rice wine on these treks, but apparently, some people overdid it, got too drunk, and ended up in bad situations—swimming in the dark, passing out outside their tents, and even putting themselves in danger with venomous snakes nearby. So, the company banned alcohol on the trek itself, which honestly seemed like a smart move. That said, we did get some mulled wine the night before since it was Christmas, and the guide was excited about it.
Exploring Hang Tien 1: A Hidden Giant in Phong Nha
Standing at the entrance of Hang Tien 1, I couldn’t help but feel small. The opening stretched 90 meters high and 50 meters wide, towering over us like a massive stone cathedral. It was even bigger than the entrance to Son Doong—though Son Doong still holds the title as the world’s largest cave by volume. The sheer scale of it was unreal.
Inside, the cave was like something from another world. Huge rock formations shaped by millions of years of water and time surrounded us. One of the most stunning features was the Gour Pools—terraced formations created by mineral deposits, resembling the rice paddies you’d see in northern Vietnam. In the rainy season, water flows over these terraces like tiny waterfalls, but today, they were dry, revealing intricate patterns left behind by nature’s slow work.
The walls of the cave told an ancient story. The limestone here is some of the oldest in Southeast Asia, dating back 350 to 400 million years. Huu explained that the rock was made up of ancient sea creatures, long dissolved into the stone, leaving no visible fossils behind. In some caves nearby, fossils were still intact, giving scientists clues about the region’s prehistoric past.
The air inside was cool, and the darkness was absolute. If we turned off our headlamps, we’d be standing in pure, complete blackness. It was eerie but peaceful at the same time.
After some time exploring, we reached a section where a zipline was set up over a deep underground river. During the rainy season, this entire area would be underwater, but today, we had the chance to zip across. No one was complaining—wading through cold water wasn’t exactly appealing.
At the exit, we climbed up a 10-meter ladder, clipped into safety ropes, and emerged back into daylight. The transition from the dark, ancient cave to the bright green jungle outside was almost surreal.
Hang Tien 1 wasn’t just a cave—it was a reminder of how wild, ancient, and untouched this part of Vietnam still is. A place where nature is still the boss, and we’re just lucky enough to step inside for a moment.
The Final Push and a Well-Earned Night
The last stretch of the trek was no joke. I had already slipped on the rocks, banged my shin, and nearly wiped out while setting up my camera. My balance isn’t the best at the best of times, and this terrain wasn’t doing me any favors. The porter had to hold my hand like a child as I carefully picked my way over the slippery rocks. Definitely something to work on for next year.
Eventually, we made it to the steep climb everyone had been talking about. The guides had hyped it up, making it sound like some impossible final test. And while it was steep and tough, it wasn’t nearly as bad as we expected. Maybe it was the promise of an ice-cold beer at the finish line, but we powered through.
And sure enough, at the end, there it was—a medal, a beer, and a sense of achievement.
A Surprise Night with the Locals
After handing back our gear at the Oxalis office, we were introduced to our homestay hosts. These were local families who had built accommodations alongside their homes, thanks to Oxalis helping support community-based tourism.
We hopped onto bicycles and rode through the village, passing rice fields and small houses, still buzzing from the trek. We had somehow missed the memo about the homestay and thought we’d be sleeping in tents. Instead, we arrived at a beautiful, cozy little hut with hot showers. After two days of trekking, that shower felt like absolute luxury.
Once we were cleaned up, we headed to another local family’s house for dinner. This wasn’t just any meal—it was a true home-cooked Vietnamese feast. The food was incredible—pork, chicken, pumpkin soup—everything full of rich, comforting flavors.
We sat together, eating, drinking, and laughing, completely immersed in the experience. The guides even taught us how to cheer properly in Vietnamese, which of course led to many rounds of raising glasses.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a trek that pushes your limits, immerses you in nature, and gives you a glimpse into local life around Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, the Hang Tien Endeavour tour is 100% worth it. Just be prepared to get wet, get muddy, and come out of it with a few bruises and a whole lot of stories.
Would I do it again? Absolutely. And if you ever find yourself in Phong Nha or the Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, you should too. Follow for future episodes, A Vietnam Podcast has more community, culture and conversations to share with you!