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Surprise Cave, also known as Sung Sot cave, is the largest and most beautiful cave among dozens of magnificent caves, caverns and grottoes in Halong Bay, Quang Ninh province. The glittering and fanciful stalactites embody countless strange and unique shapes in a fantasy world that make visitors passionate. Sung Sot Cave is located on Bo Hon Island, right in the central area of Halong Bay, which is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.
On Bo Hon island, there are many famous caves such as: Sung Sot cave, Luon cave, Dong Tien lake, Trinh Nu cave, Trong cave... This place has high peaks, steep cliffs like fortress walls, looking like a beautiful giant ink painting. The French used to call this island Les surprises (Surprise Island), same with the name of the cave. The island is inhabited by many plant species such as orchids, cycas, ficus trees… and animals like monkeys. However, Bo Hon island is well known because of its hidden cave system. Each cave has its own magical beauty and is associated with very touching legend stories.
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Origin of the name of Surprise
Sung Sot Cave was discovered by the French in 1901 and they named it "La Grotte des Surprises" (Surprise Cave) because of its beauty and magnificence. However, this name was not known until 40 years later. Sung Sot Cave welcomed its first visitors in 1993, just one year before UNESCO recognized the central area of Halong Bay as a world natural heritage site. The cave is also regularly voted as one of the most beautiful caves in Vietnam, included in the list of the 7 most beautiful caves in Vietnam by the CNN Travel Magazine.
In 1901, the French discovered this place and named it "Grotte de la surprise" - the cave of surprise and breathtaking beauty
How to explore the Surprise Cave?
The best way to visit Surprise Cave is to book a cruise on Halong Bay. Whether you just want to rent a boat to sightsee for the day or try to spend a night in Halong Bay, there are always services available for your choice. In reality, this is a must-see Vietnam tourist destination which almost all travel agencies suggest you visit.
From the pier of Bo Hon Island, visitors will get off the boat and climb about 100 steps to reach the entrance of the Surprise Cave. The cave has an area of up to 12,000m2, is about 30m high and has a walkway up to 800m long.
To reach the Surprise cave entrance, visitors must climb the stone steps
Fantastic beauty of the Surprise Cave
The inner part of Sung Sot cave is divided into 3 compartments. The first chamber has a quite small area of only about 300m2, its floor is 5m lower than the entrance door so you have to climb down. The most impressive point after reaching this chamber is a tiny pond, formed by water flowing from the ceiling of the cave through limestone cracks.
The first room with the freshwater pond
Continue inside to reach the second compartment through a very narrow passageway that allows only one adult to pass through. This chamber is twice the size of the first, with an area of about 600m2 where the stalactite ceiling is rather altered because there are many airy holes about 40m high above the cave floor. However, due to this, the air inside is also more fresh.
The special ceiling of the second room
But you still wonder if there is something else more surprising? Continue your discovery because this third compartment is the most surprising place in the cave. Passing through, you will surely explore the emotional levels with such vastness and splendour. Even if you have seen several photos of this cave before, seeing it with your own eyes, you should still be amazed.
This place has numerous nooks and "secret rooms" that you will certainly want to discover on your own rather than listening to the guide! And it will be even more fun if you and your friends or relatives imagine and guess what are the shapes of all rocks.
Along the 800m long stone path, the beauty of the Surprise Cave is imaginative, full of fascination for every tourist
The ceiling of the cave is covered with a layer of sparkling stalactites
The more you enter, the larger the cave becomes, which can hold up to thousands of people
Mother Nature has created countless images of rocks, elephants, flowers, seals,... vivid and attractive
In addition to admiring the wonders of creation, visitors also have the opportunity to learn about the legend related to Vietnam's famous Thanh Giong legend. Among the outstanding natural artefacts are the horse-shaped stone block, the long sword, the small ponds and lakes in the cave. Along with this is the royal garden area with a clear lake, many kinds of plants, animals and birds.
Possessing great tourism value, Surprise Cave welcomes millions of domestic and foreign tourists every year. In 2012, the cave was in the top 10 most beautiful caves in the world voted by the Association of Tour Operators and Travel Agents of the Czech Republic.
To see more about Halong Bay:
>> The Best Halong Bay Beaches Revealed
>> Choose Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay for a Cruise in Vietnam?
>> A Guide to Halong Bay Day Trip from Hanoi
>> How to Plan for Your First Halong Bay 3 Days 2 Nights Cruise?
