Sung Sot Cave at a glance
Sung Sot is one of the large caves in Ha Long Bay that are open to visitors. The management board describes a karst and dripstone landscape inside. On most day and overnight cruises it is the main stop of the morning or afternoon, together with Ti Top and Luon.
The three sites belong to route VHL2 in the board's August 2026 visitor report, which describes visits to Sung Sot, Ti Top and Luon on that route. A different cruise may follow another route, so the stops on your ticket decide what you see. Thien Cung and Dau Go caves are on route VHL1 and are not an automatic add-on to Sung Sot. Older claims that the caves have been closed since the 2024 typhoon do not match that report, but nothing guarantees a stop on your day.
What the VHL2 route includes
The stops named for VHL2 in the fee table and the visitor report.
Sung Sot Cave
A walk through lit chambers with limestone formations. Wear shoes with grip, and do not touch the dripstone.
Ti Top Island
A small beach for swimming and a stairway of more than 400 stone steps to a viewpoint a little over 100 m high. The steps are not step-free, and swimming conditions are not guaranteed.
Luon
A lagoon explored by boat or kayak, depending on the tide. Monkeys are found near Luon. See the rules below.
Me Cung and Soi Sim
Me Cung is listed on VHL2. Soi Sim appears in the route catalog, but a June 2026 report says visits to the beach have been suspended since 2020, so do not plan on it.
Our picks: Sung Sot Cave tours
Two day cruises and an overnight cruise with Sung Sot Cave on the route.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Two-day 4-star cruise with a private cabin
An air-conditioned private cabin, meals, entry to Sung Sot, Ti Top and Luon, kayaking and a cooking class. Drinks beyond the welcome drink and water are extra.
Check availability →
Ha Long Bay day cruise with buffet lunch
An English-speaking guide, entry fees, Sung Sot Cave and kayak or bamboo boat; the Hanoi bus comes only with that option. The buffet and whirlpool are on the luxury boat only, the standard boat serves a set menu.
Check availability →
Ha Long Bay day cruise with lunch and kayaking
An English-speaking guide, boat trip, lunch, kayak or bamboo boat and a sunset party. A Hanoi transfer comes only with the option you choose; other drinks and meals are extra.
Check availability →Tours with Sung Sot, Ti Top and Luon
Day cruises and overnight trips that name these stops, with live prices and availability.
Ti Top Island
Ti Top has a short beach and a stairway to the top. From the viewpoint you look down on anchored boats and the surrounding karst. The management board mentions both swimming and the climb of more than 400 steps in its 2026 report.
Allow time for the climb in the heat, bring water and keep your hands free for the handrail. Young children and people with limited mobility should think about whether to stay on the beach. If you only have one morning, the cruise schedule usually decides how long you get on the island, so ask the operator before you book.
Fees, hours and tickets
Amounts are sightseeing fees per person, not cruise prices.
| Item | Amount or time |
|---|---|
| VHL2 day route | VND 250,000 per person |
| VHL2 with one night on board | VND 550,000 |
| VHL2 with two nights on board | VND 750,000 |
| Sites open, 16 April to 31 October | 07:30 to 17:30 |
| Sites open, 1 November to 15 April | 07:30 to 17:00 |
The fee table was last updated on 31 March 2025, and the visiting hours were published in November 2024. Confirm both with your operator for 2026. Some cruise prices include the sightseeing fee and some do not, so ask. Children under 7 years or under 1.20 m were listed as free, and children from 7 to under 16 years at a 20 percent discount, with a passport as proof of age for foreign children. Those rules date from November 2024, so check them too.
Since 10 December 2025, press reports say international visitors give passport details and nationality when buying tickets, so keep your passport handy. A booked cruise does not override a weather suspension; see weather and best time.
Rules at the caves and Luon
- Do not bring or use single-use plastic, and do not throw litter into the water.
- Do not damage plants or touch the dripstone, and do not write on cave walls.
- Do not buy coral, and skip purchases from boats that pull alongside.
- Monkeys near Luon: do not feed, chase, catch or provoke them, according to a management notice of 18 October 2026.
After the typhoon of September 2024, the board noted vegetation damage and possible rockfall, and ran geological checks on 25 and 26 September 2024. Follow staff instructions on the paths. For the Quang Ninh bays beyond the classic route, see Bai Tu Long Bay, or Lan Ha Bay near Cat Ba.
Sung Sot Cave: frequently asked questions
Is Sung Sot Cave open?
The management board's August 2026 report describes visits to Sung Sot, Ti Top and Luon on VHL2. Openings can change with weather and works, so confirm on the day with your operator.
How many steps are there on Ti Top?
More than 400 stone steps lead up to a height of a little over 100 m. The climb is not step-free.
How much is the entrance fee?
The VHL2 route fee is VND 250,000 per person in the table updated on 31 March 2025. With one night on board the fee is VND 550,000, with two nights VND 750,000. Check whether your cruise price includes it.
What hours are the sites open?
07:30 to 17:30 from 16 April to 31 October and 07:30 to 17:00 from 1 November to 15 April, as published in November 2024. Check the current hours before you go.
Can I visit Sung Sot and Thien Cung on the same trip?
Only if the route includes both. Sung Sot is on VHL2, and Thien Cung and Dau Go are on VHL1.
Can I feed the monkeys at Luon?
No. The management board asks visitors not to feed, chase, catch or provoke them.