Skull Island Vietnam: Visit the Real-Life ‘Kong’ Filming Locations!

Ever since the Kong: Skull Island movie hit theaters, movie buffs and travelers have been asking: Where in Vietnam were those jungle and river scenes filmed?
As someone who’s kayaked in the exact waterways and hiked the towering karsts, I can’t help but share the scoop. Filming took place in a few stunning Vietnamese locales of pretty limestone mountains, emerald rivers, and cool caves.

Visiting these spots, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped onto the movie set (minus the CGI dinosaurs!).

I will cover the main filming locations of Ninh Binh (Trang An and Van Long), Ha Long Bay (Bai Tu Long), and Quang Binh (Phong Nha caves). I’ll include must-see attractions at each, plus practical tips (how to get there, entry fees, best times).
Pack your binoculars and sense of adventure as Skull Island awaits!

How to Get There

• Ninh Binh (Trang An, Tam Coc): About 100km south of Hanoi, Ninh Binh is easily reached by train or bus from the capital (2-2.5 hours). The main hubs: Tam Coc (for boat rides) or Trang An (a scenic park). Buses run hourly from Hanoi’s Giap Bat station. Private car or guided tour options are also popular (nobody told Kong how to drive!). I once hopped on the local green bus from Hanoi’s My Dinh station - super affordable.

• Halong Bay / Bai Tu Long Bay: True filming was mostly done on-screen using a mix of Vietnam and Hawaii, but the scenery matches Halong’s karsts. You can reach Halong City by bus from Hanoi in ~4 hours. Take a cruise into Bai Tu Long Bay (the quieter eastern neighbor of famous Halong Bay) for similar vistas. We recommend overnight or day cruises. Tip: The movie’s lush jungle is fictional, but imagine Tarzan swinging through those limestone islets!

• Phong Nha - Quang Binh: Flight to Dong Hoi Airport (from Hanoi 1.5hr) or 16-18h train from HCMC/Hanoi. Phong Nha area is home to the world’s largest caves (Son Doong, Hang En). The “dark cave” set of Skull Island resembles parts of Phong Nha. Many tours explore Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park caves by kayak and ropes. For example, hire a local guide to paddle in the neon waters of Phong Nha Cave.

Each location has a well-established tourism infrastructure (especially Ninh Binh and Halong). For Phong Nha, book cave tours in advance through Phong Nha Farmstay or Oxalis/ Jungle Boss (they manage many expeditions).

Top Highlights & Hidden Gems

if You Are Ninh Binh  You Have to Do the Trang an Boat Tour!

• Trang An (Ninh Binh) boat ride: 3.5km on gentle river through multiple caves and behind mountains. This was the backdrop for Kong’s final river scenes. The panoramic view from Hang Mua (Mua Cave) peak, after a 500-step climb, is not to be missed - it overlooks the whole Trang An complex.

  

  Van Long Nature Reserve, Ninh Binh

• Van Long Nature Reserve: This wetland valley with boat tours has rock formations that even look like King Kong’s face (folklore alert!). It’s quieter than Tam Coc but equally dramatic. Birdwatchers love it (spring season is bird-nesting).

  

  Bai Dinh Pagoda

• Bai Dinh Pagoda: A short drive from Trang An, it’s the largest temple complex in Southeast Asia with 500+ Arhat statues. Not movie-related, but a cultural must-see nearby.

  

  a Beautiful Sunrise in Halong Bay, Vietnam

• Halong Bay: There are dozens of cruise operators. If you want to feel epic, choose a night on the bay. Many cruises kayak through lagoons and caves (similar vibe to Skull scenes).
  Optional: Caves like Sung Sot (Surprise Cave) or the floating fishing village at Vung Vieng. Halong’s classic islets inspired many filmmakers - think the Nam Tu Liem scene where the planes fly past Karst mountains.

  

  a Camp Site in the Middle of Jungle in Phong Nha

• Phong Nha - Quang Binh:

• Paradise Cave: A 1-hour trek from the entrance, it looks like the movie’s giant cavern. Inside are stunning stalactites/stalagmites.

• Dark Cave (Hang Toi): For adventure seekers, it involves a zipline into a cave pool, swimming, and cave-exit via inflatable. I felt like an extra in an action scene!

• Son Doong (if you win the lottery): The world’s largest cave (closed 2019 for conservation), some scenes were loosely inspired by a cave environment. Only a few thousand visit each year via $3000 expeditions - so maybe someday!

  

  the Largest Cave in the World  the Mighty Son Doong

• Hidden Tip - Cuc Phuong: Not a filming site, but Vietnam’s oldest national park (3-hour drive from Hanoi). If you want wild Vietnam jungle vibes, it’s half rainforest, half archaeological. Housing the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre, it’s an Eco-alternative to jungles.

Practical Info (Hours, Fees, Best Time)

• Hours & Fees: Ninh Binh parks (Trang An, Tam Coc, Van Long) typically open 7am-5pm. Entrance+boat fees for Trang An is about 250k VND ($11) (includes boat rower) - Bargain for 2-3 hours of cruising. Halong Bay cruises can range $50-$200+ per night (more inclusive). Phong Nha caves: Paradise Cave is ~200k VND entry, Dark Cave tour around 350k VND (including gear).

• Best Time to Visit: Ninh Binh is gorgeous year-round, but summer (May-Oct) has rice paddies in green and then golden. Ha Long Bay is best in fall and spring - avoid mid-Sep to mid-Nov (typhoon season can have rough seas). Phong Nha’s rainy season (Sept-Nov) floods some parts, so plan Oct-April for drier weather.

• Facilities: Ninh Binh (city) and Phong Nha (town) have guesthouses and eateries. Halong Bay’s cruisers provide all meals on board (Vietnamese/Western). For the Trang An boat ride, remember it’s outdoor - bring water, hat, and sunscreen (as my friend learned after a very red forehead!).

• Travel Notes: English is spoken by guides in these tourist areas. Still, learning basic Vietnamese phrases is helpful (“Cam on” for thanks, “Bao nhieu tien” for asking price).

  

  Bai Tu Long Bay Is a Perfect Alternative for Halong Bay if You Like a Peaceful Experience

Tour Itinerary (Full Day/Overnight)

Ninh Binh & Halong Bay (4 Days)

Day 1: Hanoi → Ninh Binh by early train. Rent a bicycle or scooter (or join a tour). Spend the afternoon on the Tam Coc boat ride (also called “Halong Bay on land”), then catch sunset from Hang Mua Cave viewpoint. Stay overnight in Ninh Binh town.

Day 2: Early start to Trang An Grottoes (fewer crowds). Afternoon transfer to Halong Bay area (3.5h drive) or overnight train to Lao Cai (for Sapa).

Day 3: Board a Halong/Bai Tu Long Bay cruise (12pm departure). Explore Sung Sot Cave, kayak in serene Lan Ha Bay cove. Spend night on a boat watching emerald islands drift by.

Day 4: Morning cruise to Titov Island (swim or climb viewpoint), cruise back. Overnight bus back to Hanoi or flight/train to Hue for the next leg.

Phong Nha Adventure (2 Days) - Day 1: Fly/train to Dong Hoi; taxi to Phong Nha town (30 min). In the afternoon, tour Paradise Cave (don’t miss the “Great Wall of Quang Binh” - a walkway deep inside). Day 2: Book a combo tour of Dark Cave (river tubing in cave) and botanic trails, finishing with rehydration swim in Chay River. Evening train/bus to Hue or HCMC.

Phong Nha Cave Entrance

FAQs

Q: Are any actual jungle creatures in the movie scenes filmed in Vietnam?
A: Nope! The “monsters” and dinosaurs were CGI added on top of Vietnamese backdrops. You won’t find real dinosaurs in Trang An or Phong Nha, just tourists and farmers.

I feel funny even answering this haha but if you are an adult and reading this then remember that there could be kids reading our blogs too and they are a curious lot who are still learning :)

Q: How can I visit the Skull Island rock formation?
A: The “Skull” is fictional. However, the Van Long reserve is nicknamed “King Kong Valley” by some travelers because a rock formation from one angle looks like a sleeping Kong face. Just hire one of the rowboats and the guide will point it out!

Q: Any hiking in these areas?
A: Absolutely. The Hai Vong hiking trail in Ninh Binh goes from Tam Coc (Hoa Lu area) to Bai Dinh, passing rice fields, tea plantations and a Vulture’s Peak (Hang Cuop) viewpoint - a great day trek. In Phong Nha, you can book jungle treks (with local guides) that are quite adventurous.

Q: Can I combine these filming spots into one trip?
A: Yes! You could do Ninh Binh (Trang An/Van Long) 2-3 days, then proceed to Halong Bay 1-2 days, and finally fly south to Phong Nha (add 2 days). The distances are long, but it can be done in a week or two if well-paced.