Paradise Cave is one of the most famous in all of Vietnam! Locally known as Thien Duong Cave, we already knew from the pictures that we were in for an awesome adventure. However, we didn’t yet realize the trek we were truly in for! So is Paradise Cave worth visiting?Follow our afternoon exploring Paradise Caves as we breakdown everything to know before you go.
How to Get to Paradise Cave in Vietnam
Motorbike: From Phong Nha village it’s about an hour ride to Paradise Cave Vietnam. Going by motorbike will give you incredible views of the surrounding nature and mountains of the area. This is how we got to to Paradise Caves and highly recommend it!
Taxi: If you’re not one to ride motorbikes you can always hire a car to take you to Paradise Cave. Book a driver through your accommodation who will take you, wait, and bring you back to town for a set rate.
Group Tour: There are several group tours to all the large caves in Vietnam including Paradise. Choose a single tour of the cave, or make it part of a larger group tour. Booking this is easy through your hotel or at one of the companies in Phong Nha such as Jungle Boss.
5 Facts About Paradise Cave Vietnam
1. Believe it or not, Paradise Cave was not discovered until 2005 by a local man. The British Cave Research Association then came to explore it in full and announce their findings.
2. Although only a small portion can be seen by the public, the true length of Paradise Cave Vietnam is 31 km (19.2 miles) This makes it the longest dry cave in Asia!
3. If you take an official guided tour you can explore it for another 7 km (4.3 miles) The normal walkway portion is only 1 km, but still amazing to see.
4. The height of Paradise Cave in Vietnam goes up to 72 meters (236 feet) and in some spots reaches 150 meters (492 feet wide).
5. Did you know Phong Nha is also home to the largest cave in the world? Hang Son Doong is nearby to Paradise Cave, but you’ll have to sign up a year in advance to see this one!
Paradise Caves Tickets & Tour Info
Once you arrive at the entrance there’s an area for parking and general information. You have to pay a fee of 5,000 VND to park your bike so make sure to have small bills on you.
You’ll then buy your tickets at the main gate and grab a map of the area. The tickets to Paradise Cave in Vietnam cost 250,000 VND which is roughly $10 USD. You shouldn’t have to worry about the price much when deciding is Paradise cave worth visiting.
From the ticket counter you can either walk to Paradise Cave jump off point, or pay 60,000 VND to take the shuttle. The day we were there it was extremely hot so the walk up to the entrance felt like it took forever!
From the ticket counter it’s about a 20 minute walk to the start, and then another 20-25 minute climb up a ramp. In total, it should take you between 2 and 3 hours to see Paradise Cave in Vietnam.
There’s also a set of stairs which we find out after are a more direct route with a steeper incline than the ramp. While the walk is shaded from the jungle the heat can still be intense.
Try to visit early in the morning if possible and pack lots of water. There is a rest stop about half way up and place to buy drinks (and ice cream!) before entering the cave.
- How to Visit Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park: Full Vietnam Guide
- How to Visit Phong Nha Cave: Amazing Boat Tour With Scenic Hike
Traveling Deep into Paradise Cave Vietnam
At the top of the stairs there are about two dozen long benches to rest. Here you’ll see a hole in the mountainside with stairs leading down into the darkness.
Honestly, it looks pretty spooky at first! We knew it was about to be a long climb down when we saw people coming up out of Paradise Cave completely winded and heading right for the benches to sit down.
Once you climb down the first set of stairs and disappear through the rocks you’ll be absolutely blown away at first sight. Paradise Cave opens up into a glorious presentation of rock formations, and the sheer size of it is enough to impress any traveler.
Exploring the Planked Walkways of Paradise Cave
Paradise Cave was the first one we visited in Vietnam and it did not disappoint! The cool air of the cave was refreshing after hiking to the entrance in the hot afternoon sun.
Take your time walking down the long steps and enjoy this incredible feat of nature. The wooden walkways extend for 1 km through the cave and you’ll return the same way once you reach the end.
It is almost unbelievable that you are underground when you see the shear size of the cave! Also, it’s crazy to think once you get to the end of the walkway it really continues much deeper into the earth.
After all this make sure to save some energy for the way back. You’ll will have to climb back up the long stairs you took into the cave. Paradise Cave was our favorite in Phong Nha and we hope you enjoy it, too!
Where To Stay In Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
Luxury – Victory Road Villas – Set right on the river, these beautiful villas are the most upscale place to stay in Phong Nha National Park. Each room is built with western design and a flair of local tradition.
Fun – Phong Nha Farmstay – This one of a kind accommodation is located just outside of town in a secluded part of Phong Nha. Here you can enjoy the beautiful scenery, on-site restaurant, and free bicycles.
Budget– Diep Le Homestay – This was where we stayed before our journey to Phong Nha Cave! Diep Le gives you a front row view at breakfast to the gorgeous river, and also has rooms facing the mountainside to the back. The staff is super friendly and is more than willing to set up any activities or tours for you.
Hostel – Central Backpackers Hostel – If hostels are your thing then you’ll love the atmosphere at Central Backpackers! The property features hammocks, a pool, full bar, and is the perfect jump off point to all the famous caves in Vietnam.
Is Paradise Cave Worth Visiting?
So is Paradise Cave worth it?? We absolutely think so. If you’re heading to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National park you won’t want to miss out on this amazing place.
It’s truly one of the most spectacular nature sites we’ve seen in Southeast Asia. Just know that it is a harrowing adventure and not for everyone.
Yet, once you get inside you’ll be so glad you went! Have any questions on this article or want to share your own experience at Paradise Cave Vietnam? Leave us a comment at the bottom of this post.
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
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Vietnam Travel Planning
Transportation: 12Go is what we use to book ferries, trains, buses, and transfers while traveling through Vietnam!
Flights: For cheap flight deals check out Skyscanner and Kayak. That’s how we found flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc for $20 USD and Vietnam to Thailand for less than $50!
Accommodation: Compare multiple sites for hotels such as Booking.com and Agoda. Also, Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget.
Tours: Get Your Guide is an amazing place to find fun activities all over Vietnam! There is everything from a Hanoi Cooking Class and market tour to a Mekong Delta Pagoda & rowing boat trip, and even the Phu Quoc Cable Car Ride with three island snorkeling tour!
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without insurance. We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years and they are always there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including our electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
This is such a very completed and detailed article I have ever read about Paradise Cave in Phong Nha. Not only about the contents but also the high-quality photos. I will 100% visit and explore this natural wonder! Thank you so much!
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Thank you so much Janice! We loved exploring this cave in Phong Nha. Such a beautiful part of Vietnam (: