Best Caves Near Hanoi

Northern Vietnam is packed with stunning cave sites, from the spiritual Perfume Pagoda to remote limestone grottoes in Ninh Bình.
I’m sharing a travel guide for exploring Hanoi’s nearby caves. You’ll find practical tips on how to get there, entry fees, what to bring, and personal reflections. Whether it’s the famed Hương Tích Cave at Perfume Pagoda or lesser-known gems like Thiên Hà (Galaxy Cave), I’ll cover everything you need for a trip to remember!

Perfume Pagoda (Hương Tích Cave) - A Spiritual Hike

Just 70 km southwest of Hanoi lies the Perfume Pagoda complex - a network of temples and caves in the Huong Son mountains. The highlight is Hương Tích Cave, also called the “first cave under Heaven.”
You start by boarding a wooden boat at Duc Wharf and drifting along the serene Yen Stream (boat fare ~50,000 VND). After about an hour you reach Thiên Trù Pagoda; from there you have two options to reach Hương Tích: climb over 300 stone steps through lush forest, or take the one-way cable car (costs 120,000 VND one-way, 180,000 VND return).

Entrance is straightforward: a sightseeing ticket costs about 80,000 VND for the whole Perfume Pagoda area. Add the boat (50k) and optional cable car (if you use it), and you’re set. The site opens early (5 AM daily), so going first thing gives you cool air and fewer crowds. Dress modestly (it’s a sacred site) and wear good walking shoes - the path can be slippery.

Inside Hương Tích Cave you’ll find a hidden pagoda shrine, hundreds of stalactites and stalagmites (some locally say they’re smooth from pilgrims rubbing them for luck), and incense-scented air. Along the way you can also explore Long Vân Cave and Tuyết Sơn Cave (side caves along the trail). I took the cable car up and walked down, and even with a few stops it took just over an hour.
Tip: many Vietnamese pilgrims visit during the festival season (Feb-Mar lunar New Year) for rituals, so for quieter views go in late spring or autumn.

Transportation is easy. You can catch Hanoi’s bus 103 from Mỹ Đình station directly to the Perfume Pagoda area (operates ~5 AM-8 PM, every 15 minutes). I hopped on early and enjoyed the 1.5-2 hour countryside ride; private cars or tours are also common. Bring water, a hat, and a camera - the river views and mountain vistas are beautiful.

Thien Son - Suoi Nga (Ba Vì Area) - Waterfalls and Mini-Caves

Northwest of Hanoi (about 60 km), the Thien Son - Suoi Nga eco-resort in Ba Vì is a leafy hideaway of waterfalls, streams and small grottoes. It’s not a deep cave system, but it’s worth a stop for its natural beauty and a glimpse of a “cave” behind a waterfall. The area is part of Ba Vì National Park, whose entrance fee is only ~60,000 VND per adult.

The park includes three main zones: Ha Sơn (lower area with lakes), Trung Sơn (middle with gentle forests), and Ngoa Sơn (upper with the famous Sky Gate Waterfall). The Sky Gate (Cổng Trời) plunges ~100 m into a clear pool - you can swim here when it’s warm. Next to the pool is a little “Thien Son cave”, which isn’t a deep grotto but a sheltered rock nook used as a rest spot. My guide jokingly called it a breakfast cave, since locals often hold morning music performances there.

To get there, follow the winding mountain roads via Sơn Tây (or take Hòa Bình Bus 71 to Sơn Tây and a local taxi). The road is decent but twisty. Once inside, rent a swan-shaped paddle boat on the lake or hike up to Cong Trời (Heaven’s Gate) Waterfall. Best time is the dry season (Oct-Apr) to avoid muddy trails; mornings are cooler and you might catch clouds rolling over the peaks. Bring a swimsuit and towel if you plan to swim, and bug spray for forest hikes.

Trang An Caves (Ninh Binh) - “Ha Long Bay on Land”

About 100 km south of Hanoi, Ninh Binh’s Tràng An Scenic Landscape Complex is UNESCO-listed and famous for its waterways winding through karst caves. It’s often nicknamed “Ha Long Bay on land.” Boats glide through flooded limestone tunnels, past ancient temples and rice paddies.

Practical info: The Tràng An boat tours run daily 7:00 AM-4:00 PM. Tickets are ~250,000 VND per adult (kids under ~1m may be cheaper or free). Each ticket covers a multi-hour circuit; there are three routes (1, 2, or 3) of varying lengths (2.5-3.5 hours). I chose Route 3 (about 2.5 hours) since it includes Động Đòi (longest cave) and Suối Tiên (fairy stream) and suits families.

On the ride you’ll pass the famous Light Cave (Hang Sáng) and Dark Cave (Hang Tối) - one is lit naturally, the other pitch-black (rowers give you flashlights). The Wine Cave (Hang Nấu Rượu) is cool to see with old pottery jars. The boat also floats past Sinh, Sĩ and Ba Giọt caves, tied to a sad legend of doomed lovers. You can hop off and stretch legs at some temples, like the floating Suối Tiên pagoda.

I’ll never forget drifting in almost silence through a dark tunnel as the afternoon sun set over the limestone peaks - the golden hour light made the emerald water glow. In fact, one veteran traveler recommended taking the last boat of the day: with fewer tourists and that soft sunset, it felt like we had Trang An almost to ourselves. (The site isn’t as crowded as Tam Cốc, so even off-peak you get lots of tranquility.)

Getting there is easy: day buses run from Hanoi to Ninh Binh city, or the fast train takes ~2 hours. From Ninh Binh station, Grab/taxis will drive you ~10 km to Trang An wharf. We rode motorbikes around the area - it’s beautiful countryside. Bring sunblock and a hat (the boats have little shade), and maybe a light jacket in winter (it gets cold on the water).

Tam Coc + Hang Múa (Ninh Binh) - Rice Fields & Cave Boat Ride

Just a few km north of Trang An, Tam Cốc offers a slightly different vibe. Here boats drift along the Ngo Dong River past three river caves (Hang Ca, Hang Hai, Hang Ba) framed by rice fields and clusters of towering karsts. It’s a more “rustic” experience - local women row boats with their feet, and vendors sometimes hop aboard selling flowers or banh mi.

Key info: Tam Cốc boat rides run 8:30 AM-6:30 PM. Entry is 120,000 VND/adult (60k for kids 1.0-1.3m tall; under 1m free). Boats hold up to 4 passengers; the ride costs 150,000 VND per boat (about 75k per foreigner if two share). A round trip takes roughly 1.5-2 hours, gliding under 3 caves. We saw stalactites and bats, and even though it felt more “open” than Trang An, it was no less picturesque.

The big Hang Múa (Mua Cave) viewpoint is a must for a stunning panorama. After the boat ride, we hopped on motorbikes (~10 min north of Tam Cốc) to climb 500 limestone steps to Ngoa Long Mountain’s summit. From the top you see the Ngo Dong River snaking through the valley and fields. Mua Cave itself is small, but the view is the star. Entry is 100,000 VND, and it’s open 6 AM-7 PM. Go early or late (avoid midday heat) for the best photos.

Tips: Tam Cốc is beautiful year-round, but peak “golden” rice is April-June. I visited in March when the fields were bright green. Sunglasses and sunscreen are a must (the boats have sun canopies but the river reflections can burn you). Also, it’s true that Tam Coc feels more “authentic” - you might even chat with the boat women who row with their toes. Respectfully decline any persistent vendors (it happened to us once but they were polite).

Thiên Hà (“Galaxy”) Cave - Ninh Binh Hidden Gem

Tucked within the Trang An landscape, Thiên Hà Cave (often called Galaxy Cave) is a newer and more secluded attraction. Discovered only in 2007, it lies about 19 km north of Tam Cốc (Ninh Bình City Center) and is accessed by a short boat ride and walk. The approach alone is atmospheric: a ~1 km bamboo-boat ride up a quiet stream, then a ~500m forest hike to the cave entrance.

Thiên Hà has two main parts: a dry “upper” cave and a subterranean water cave. The dry cave (~200m long) is lit by a natural skylight and dotted with tens of thousands of stalactites in whimsical shapes. Sunlight streaming in creates a “galaxy” effect on the limestone walls. Beyond, a 500m-long water cave continues by boat, with stalactites reflected in the pool, making you feel like you’re floating under a starry ceiling.

Admission is via guided routes: Route 1 (shorter, ~2 hours) costs 200,000 VND including boat; Route 2 (adds two extra caves, ~280k VND) takes ~2.5 hours. (Prices sometimes vary with promotions.) The cave complex is open 8:00 AM-5:30 PM daily. I took Route 1 and loved that we practically had the cave to ourselves - it felt magical and peaceful. Staff rowed the boat (English is limited at the site, so a guide or translated tour helps).

Thiên Hà Cave is about 110 km south of Hanoi via the new expressway (~2 hours by car). You can get there by taxi or rental car (many people combine it with Ninh Bình tours), or take a limo/coach to Ninh Bình and hop a short taxi from there. Once there, sturdy shoes are a must (the trail has roots and rocks) and a flashlight is handy, even though the boats have basic lights. In summer go in the morning to beat heat; in winter it’s quite cool inside year-round.

On the way out from Thiên Hà, I lingered by the riverbank and watched herons skim the golden paddies. It’s one of those “off the beaten path” spots that feels like a true hidden gem. If you have time, consider combining Thien Ha with a visit to nearby Thung Nham Bird Park or the Hoa Lư historical site.

Practical Tips and Hidden Gems

• What to Pack: Bring sturdy shoes (some caves have uneven or slippery paths), a hat/sunscreen, water, and a flashlight. Temples and pagodas require modest dress (shoulders and knees covered). Many cave interiors are cool and damp - a light jacket or long-sleeves can be useful. A waterproof bag or ziplock for cameras is smart (boats can splash).

• Best Time: Spring (Feb-Apr) and fall (Sep-Nov) usually have good weather (not too hot or rainy). Note Perfume Pagoda gets extremely busy during the Lunar New Year festival (Jan/Feb). Rice-field scenery (Trang An/Tam Cốc) is most striking late May-June at harvest.

• Transport: Motorbike rental around Ninh Bình or Ba Vì gives freedom, but taxis or tour buses are plentiful from Hanoi. Public buses to Sơn Tây (Ba Vì) or Ninh Bình city are cheap, then local connections (e.g. buses 110 to Ba Vì park). Grab/taxis inside Ninh Bình are affordable.

• Local Cuisine: After cave-hopping, try regional dishes - goat meat in Ba Vì, or cơm cháy (crispy rice) in Ninh Bình. In Tam Cốc you can eat at riverside stalls; at Perfume Pagoda there are simple vegetarian eateries near the wharf.

• Hidden Gems: Aside from the above, a couple of lesser-known spots: Hang Múa Cave (behind the Mua viewpoint) is a tiny grotto worth a quick look after you climb the steps. In the Trang An area there are small caves like Thuyết Sơn Cave near Perfume Pagoda or Buddha Cave (Hang Phật) inside the Thien Ha complex. These aren’t huge attractions but add a sense of discovery if you have extra time.

Exploring these caves around Hanoi was one of the highlights of my Vietnam trip. Each spot has its own character - from the incense-filled calm of Hương Tích to the dreamy quiet of Thiên Hà. With this guide and the cited practical details (fees, hours, transport) you should be well-prepared. Strap on your boots, bring a sense of adventure, and enjoy the cool surprises that lie underground just a short hop from Hanoi.