Two weeks in North Vietnam - 12/21 - 1/3/2023

Day  6- Luon Cave, Ha long Bay-12/26/2023

After Ti Top island we are headed to Luon Cave which is a part of Bo Hon Island..

We passed through majestic limestone mountains.

We got to the top deck to enjoy the view while sailing to Luon cave.

Luon Cave is a tunnel-shaped cave located at the foot of a limestone mountain. Luon Cave is named because the cave winds its way through a mountain and has two interconnected(Luồn) entrances. The cave was initially named “Trinh Nữ” (Virgin) Cave but it was changed to Luon Cave, which better reflects the nature and characteristics of the cave.

Since the width and height of Luon Cave is not enough for a cruise ship to get through, tourists have to use a kayak or dinghy to enter the cave.

We are approaching the entrance of the cave.

Hoa and I on the dinghy boat.

The Dinghy can hold about 10 to 15 people but there are only 6 people on out boat so it was really nice.

Each dinghy is led by a boat steerer.

Docking station.

You can see the entrance of the cave.  Luon Cave is simply an underground waterway flowing inside the mountain

Luon Cave is a wet cave with an underground water source that flows in the mountain and connects to the sea by a tunnel. The cave entrance is about 13 ft. wide, 10 ft. tall, and about 328 ft. long.

The only way to visit Luon cave is by small boats or kayaks.

 The arched entrance of the cave, stretching approximately 196 ft. long, allows natural light to filter in, and illuminating the surface of the lake.

As you can see the entrance of the cave is fairly low and can fit a person standing on the Dinghy.  Depending on the water level, the boat steerer sometimes have to adjust their position and sit down instead of standing up.

Boat steerer in front of our dinghy, entering the cave.

 Despite not being as vast as some of the other caves in Ha Long Bay, Luon Cave has been formed over millions of years with the impact of water and sea breeze. The foothills of the limestone mountains were progressively eroded by the current and the tides, leaving a sizable natural tunnel that we can see as Luon Cave nowadays.

We passed through the cave and cave out on the other end of the cave.

 Once you are out of the cave, you’ll be greeted by a spacious interior that boasts a large lake surrounded by majestic mountains.

On the cliffs of Luon Cave, we can still see traces of shells of oysters, snails, and crabs that used to be found millions of years ago in this area.

Our boat steerer took us around the lake.

The lake is surrounded by mountains and sailing around is so peaceful.

Erosion of the limestone overtime.

How beautiful and serene is this?

Panoramic view of the lake once you pass through the entrance of the cave.

As we are queuing to enter the cave, out boat steerer took our boat to the side of the cliff.

 Along the steep cliffs, mischievous monkeys were hanging around.

I am not sure but I think they gave them some food so the monkeys are hanging out this area.

 Stalactites hanging down the cave.

We are now exiting the cave.

Kayaking is one of popular activity at Luong cave.

We are now heading back to our main cruise boat.

To get to our cruise boat, a ferry boat picked us up.

Upper deck.

It is a bit colder on the upper deck but what an amazing site.

NEXT... Sailing into the sunset and Dinner