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All reviews

Review Author: Richard
Review Date: 31 Jul 2024
Review Body: We booked the Ruc Mon day tour. We had a group of around 10. We had the river and cave completely to ourselves and it was spectacular. The walk to the cave was scenic and beautiful. We got to cross rivers and were surrounded by beautiful hill tops. The cave itself was beautiful and interesting. Our guide, Gem was amazing. He was charming, fun, and very attentive to everyone’s needs. Would recommend.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Cem
Review Date: 30 Nov 2024
Review Body: Whole trip was one of the greatest moments in my life. Heading the spot through the mountains in fog, hiking to the area over the several fields, enjoying the nature, having a wonderful lunch(vegan available), discovering the cave with our excited guide, climbing, doing meditation in the cave, jumping in the turquoise water(safe) and swimming hours. Highly recommended 👍🏾💚
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Chris
Review Date: 30 Apr 2025
Review Body: This was epic! We got to do the 1 Day Ruc Mon Cave Tour and it was the best tour I’ve done in Vietnam so far! It was intense: river crossing, hiking through the jungle, caving, heights and a cliff jump! Our guide Tom was fun, informative and relaxed with great English and information. I loved my experience and recommend it to adventure seekers!
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Judy
Review Date: 30 Nov 2024
Review Body: Great adventure we really enjoyed the trip. Our guide Rango, was amazing very knowledgeable and obviously passionate about the caves and the local area. Highly recommended for anyone in reasonable physical condition
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Nick Tyson
Review Date: 08 May 2026
Review Body: The guide we had Gem was exceedingly knowledgeable and great with everyone in on the tour. We had a brilliant time and would recommend this trip. Thank you
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Volkan
Review Date: 31 Oct 2024
Review Body: Hang Rục Mòn Cave, a recent gem among the region's vast network of over 300 discovered caves (55 of which are open to visitors), offers an unmatched sense of discovery and wonder. As we ventured deeper, the cave unveiled its pristine beauty, with intricate formations, dramatic chambers, and an aura of untouched serenity. It’s truly a masterpiece of nature and a must-see for any adventurer. The real magic of the trip, however, was in the hands of our guide, Mr. Gem. From the outset, their professionalism and warm hospitality set the tone for the day. The food they prepared was both nourishing and delicious, providing the perfect energy boost for the exploration. Inside the cave, Mr. Gem’s expertise shone through as he navigated us through challenging paths with ease and ensured our safety at every step. His detailed knowledge of the cave’s history, geology, and significance added immense value to the experience, making it as educational as it was thrilling. For anyone yearning to explore the marvels of nature while being cared for by a professional and passionate team, this tour is an absolute must.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Steve
Review Date: 30 Apr 2024
Review Body: We had an amazing experience, actually of the the best of our lives! Exploring caves in Phong Nha is absolutely a must in Vietnam. Tom, our guide, speaks perfectly english, is very friendly, funny, and he is a very good person and guide. He has been guiding many years for another one of the big cave tours companies, so he’s a well experienced guide who has pertinent informations to share about the caves during the trip. I also need to comment about the rest of the team. They were many other members who were helping for safety during all the trip, cooking excellent food, making sure everything was okay and creating a really tipycal and local experience (because they actually live in the little town of about 10 houses outside the cave). All the crew makes it a perfect and safe experience! We were hesitating between the one day and 2 days trip. I definitely recommend the 2 days trip as you do different things and see different spots in the cave. You also get to live the sick experience of spending the dinner and the night in the cave with the crew.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Liam
Review Date: 30 Sep 2024
Review Body: We drove out into the national park on the first morning, passing through two smaller settlements where we picked up a dog, or the dog picked us out, who knows, and proceeded to the cave with our canine company. We set up camp and swam through the cave for 3km after we’d eaten lunch. I won’t go into any of the other details because it will ruin it for you - but it was amazing. It was authentic; we played cards and drank some rice wine over dinner in the evening surrounded by fire flies and listening to bats. The three guides who were the backbone to our plan were faultless and they deserve recognition for their hard work and warm attitudes. Good tour company. Would go through them again.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Elliott
Review Date: 30 Apr 2025
Review Body: This experience packed amazing variety into one perfect day! The short hike led to an fascinating cave exploration with impressive rock formations. Zipping through the air on the thrilling zip line was a definite highlight, followed by a surprisingly relaxing mud bath that left my skin feeling great. Our guide deserves special mention - extremely knowledgeable about the area and genuinely friendly, enhancing the entire experience. The delicious lunch provided was the perfect refuel before ending with fun water slides. For an adventure that combines excitement, natural beauty and relaxation, this is absolutely worth booking. Highly recommend!
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Tony
Review Date: 28 Feb 2025
Review Body: the trip was amazing. on the first day we got to see the Paradise Cave + Phong Nha Cave with a brilliant, informative, and humorous guide. transportation and logistics were all included so it was such a breeze. on the second day we went to a more offbeat cave. first we had a small hike in the jungle and then went for a swim at the entrance of the cave. after that we climbed up to another cave entrance and explored the cave from the inside. great experience!
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Meen
Review Date: 27 Apr 2026
Review Body: I highly recommend our guide, Gem. I cant swim, and he took great care of me throughout the journey, guiding me while I was floating. He was also excellent at photography and helped us find many great photo spots inside the cave. The other guides and porters were also very helpful, always reminding us to be careful and offering a hand when needed. The food portions were also very generous, we could easily share one dish between three people.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Daniel
Review Date: 31 Jan 2025
Review Body: I booked the two day and one night tour to Ruc mon cave and it was a wonderful experience. Our guide gem and his team were super friendly and helpful. He tried very hard to give us a lot of knowledge about nature and the lives of the local people. The tour through the caves was both varied and adventurous. A really big recommendation from me
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Ross
Review Date: 31 Mar 2025
Review Body: We had a great day out doing the Zipline Dark Cave and Paradise Cave Exploration from start to finish. Our guides were amazing and able to tell us loads about the caves and the surrounding areas. The zipline and water activities were a lot of fun as well and a great way to cool down in the hot weather. Thank you for a great day!
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Malcolm
Review Date: 04 Dec 2025
Review Body: From start to finish this was an amazing adventure. The local team led by Gem was so kind and supportive, cooking us amazing food and helping us through the caves every step of the way. This trip offered a caving experience like nothing I've ever had before. 10/10 recommend.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Sophie
Review Date: 30 Apr 2025
Review Body: The trip was absolutely fantastic! Would definitely recommend to a friend. The views inside paradise caves are incredible and the swimming and mud baths in the dark caves were 100% worth doing too. The water activities at the end were a really nice way to end the day
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Catherine
Review Date: 10 Feb 2026
Review Body: This was one of the most incredible experiences of our whole lives. Tom was not only the most amazing guide, but we also made a lifelong friend. Don’t hesitate, and book this tour if you’re ready for an adventure.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Sophie
Review Date: 31 Oct 2024
Review Body: Great way to explore the caves! Our guides spoke perfect English and were very knowledgeable about the area. Highly recommend!
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Jerome
Review Date: 28 Mar 2026
Review Body: Stunning caves and beautiful peoples just fun and good memory
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Gadeer slayeh
Review Date: 09 Oct 2025
Review Body: The one-day, one-night cave experience was absolutely amazing — truly one of a kind! However, we added an extra night at a local homestay, and unfortunately, it was extremely disappointing. The place looked nothing like the photos you posted. It wasn’t clean, didn’t look welcoming, and was completely empty. We couldn’t stay there for more than five minutes and ended up moving to another homestay at our own expense.
Review rating: 4

Itinerary

Itinerary Day 1
Itinerary Summary: Cave swim, limestone formations, and cultural visit to Ruc village near Vietnam–Laos border
Itinerary Description: 7:30 – 8:00 AM: The guide will pick up the group and transfer you to the headquarters to prepare necessary equipment and go over the trip itinerary and safety instructions. During this time, your guide will also introduce the formation and development of the cave, along with insights into the traditional culture of the Ruc ethnic group. 9:30 AM: We’ll make a stop at Tân Hóa village, home to the Ruc people, located near the Vietnam–Laos border and under close supervision by the border army. From here, we’ll continue on to Hóa Sơn hamlet, a remote settlement with only a few households. 11:30 AM: Following a narrow riverside trail, we’ll reach the entrance of Rục Mòn Cave. Here, we’ll enjoy a BBQ lunch prepared by our porter team. After lunch you’ll swim along a 2km underground river, then climb over layered rock formations and marvel at enormous limestone structures that have formed over millions of years. The route continues through a three-level dry cave filled with rich mineral deposits and striking stalactites. 4:00 PM: After finishing the cave exploration, you’ll be welcomed back with coffee, refreshing drinks, and sweet treats thoughtfully prepared by our porter team. Enjoy some time to relax and recharge. 5:30 – 6:30 PM: We return to the village and conclude the journey with a bus ride back to Phong Nha town. You’ll be dropped off at your accommodation.
Caver standing beside a calm, blue-lit pool in a limestone cave, with stalactites and headlamp illumination, Vietnam
Helmeted cavers walking along a leafy jungle trail in Vietnam, following the guide into dense greenery
Outdoor meal on banana leaves in Vietnam with grilled fish, vegetables and sauces served family-style in camping setup
Helmed cavers standing in a limestone cave chamber in Vietnam, surrounded by stalactites and rocky passages
Underground pool beneath vaulted cave rock in Vietnam, with calm water reflecting a bright opening and beams of light
Two smiling women in headscarves chatting indoors in Vietnam, warm lamp-lit portrait during a local caving experience
Visitors in green T-shirts holding up banana leaves in a dark Phong Nha cave during a Greenland Tours visit
Caver standing beside a calm, blue-lit pool in a limestone cave, with stalactites and headlamp illumination, Vietnam
Helmeted cavers walking along a leafy jungle trail in Vietnam, following the guide into dense greenery
Outdoor meal on banana leaves in Vietnam with grilled fish, vegetables and sauces served family-style in camping setup
Helmed cavers standing in a limestone cave chamber in Vietnam, surrounded by stalactites and rocky passages
Underground pool beneath vaulted cave rock in Vietnam, with calm water reflecting a bright opening and beams of light
Two smiling women in headscarves chatting indoors in Vietnam, warm lamp-lit portrait during a local caving experience
Visitors in green T-shirts holding up banana leaves in a dark Phong Nha cave during a Greenland Tours visit
Trekkers on backpacks walking along a leafy jungle path with Greenland Tours during a Phong Nha day trip
Traveller in a yellow top and helmet standing on a rocky riverside in Phong Nha, on a cave-and-river day trip
Greenland Tours guests walking through a lit cave chamber in Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng, headlamps illuminating limestone
Phong Nha underground river cave scene with two travellers wading past limestone walls during a guided day trip
Hiking boots and backpack as a traveller walks through a Phong Nha underground river pool, Greenland Tours’ cave adventure
Greenland Tours group walking along a dusty path inside a blue-lit Phong Nha cave, with stalactites overhead
Hikers in the countryside trail near Phong Nha, walking through gravel and tall forest on the way to cave visits
Two travellers in helmets and yellow tops on a jungle trail in Phong Nha, Greenland Tours guided day trip

Hidden Cave Swim with Former Cave-Dweller Porters

Trek, climb & swim to a hidden cave once home to the reclusive Ruc tribe
4.9
|19 Reviews
Group size
Up to 20 guests
DURATION
10 hours
Booking type
Join-in trip
MEET UP
Free pick-up
Group size
Up to 20 guests
Enter the cave once inhabited by the Ruc, supported by local Ruc porters
This is the Phong Nha day trip to choose if you want a cave adventure with a powerful human story. You’ll explore Ruc Mon Cave, once home to the Ruc—one of Vietnam’s last communities to move from cave dwelling into permanent villages.Before entering the cave, you’ll visit Hoa Son village to learn how the Ruc lived in the surrounding limestone mountains and how community life changed after resettlement. Today, young Ruc people return to this landscape as porters, supporting guests throughout the journey.Inside Ruc Mon, you’ll swim through 2KM of underground river and explore three cave levels filled with giant stalactites, fossils and mineral formations. Choose this if you want a gentler cave adventure with a meaningful connection to the people who once called these caves home.What to ExpectJoin-in day trip with pick-up and drop-off in Phong NhaVisit Hoa Son village and spend time learning about the Ruc people and their cave-dwelling historyGuided trek through rural trails, river crossings and forest to reach the caveBBQ lunch at the cave entrance, with vegetarian options availableSwim 2km through Ruc Mon’s underground river with safety gear providedExplore three levels of the cave with giant stalactites, mineral layers and fossil-rich rock formationsPost-trek coffee, drinks and sweet treats before returning to townGood to KnowBest for travellers in reasonable physical condition — expect hiking, climbing, river crossings and swimmingHelmet, gloves, headlamp, life jacket, dry bag, sandals, and towel are providedPlease wear long sleeves and bring extra dry clothes for after the cave explorationPick-up and drop-off included for guests staying in Phong NhaIf you are traveling from Danang or Dong Hoi, a pick up can be arranged at an additional charge (see add-on section)

Experience highlights

What You’ll be Doing

Cave swim, limestone formations, and cultural visit to Ruc village near Vietnam–Laos border
Show Details

What’s Included

English-speaking guide
Professional porter team
Pick up and drop off in Phong Nha
Transportation during the tour
Snacks
Long-sleeved shirt
Life jacket
Trekking sandals
Gloves
Towel
Helmet, headlamp
Drinking water
Dry bag
Socks
Medical equipment, medication

Not included

Pick up and drop off outside of Phong Nha
Other personal expenses
Tips & gratuities

Available Add-ons:

Bus ticket Phong Nha - Da Nang (527.850đ)
One-way pick up from Dong Hoi (airport/train station/city center) (791.775đ)
One-way drop-off in Dong Hoi (airport/train station/city center) (791.775đ)
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Who you’re supporting

community_based

Community Champion

women_owned

Women-led Wonder

low_carbon

Low Carbon Hero

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Next Available Dates

Prices shown in USD
Select Time for 25 Sep 2026
Additional Information

Where we'll meet

Start Point

Free pick-up from Hotels in Phong Nha(Phong Nha, Vietnam)
  • 15 mins before selected timeslot

End Point

  • End at Start Point(s)

Transport Add-ons

Add-on 1

  • Bus ticket Phong Nha - Da Nang(Price: 527.850đ for up to 1 guest)

Add-on 2

  • One-way pick up from Dong Hoi (airport/train station/city center)(Price: 791.775đ for up to 4 guests)

Add-on 3

  • One-way drop-off in Dong Hoi (airport/train station/city center)(Price: 791.775đ for up to 4 guests)

Start & Ends

Daily
07:30AM - 05:30PM

Suitability / Accessibility

  • Vegetarian food available
  • Child Friendly (Recommended Age: 12+)

Cancellation & other policies

  • Cancellation

    Cancel 7 days before activity for a full refund
  • Minimum Participants

    If there are fewer than 2 participants, the host may reschedule or refund your booking.

What to Pack

  • Hat
  • Mosquito repellent spray
  • Quick-dry clothes
  • Shoes
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Swimsuit
From
3.082.230đ
/person
4.9(19)
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Guests
Date & Time
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Meet your host

Na grew up in the Phong Nha – Kẻ Bàng region and knows the land like an old friend. She started her company to share the magic of the area’s caves, forests, and local cultures in a real and meaningful way. What stands out about Na is how much she cares – not just about the travellers who join the journeys, but also about the local communities. Thanks to her efforts, more than 500 local people now have steady jobs with the company, from porters and cooks to safety assistants and guides. Her work brings people closer to nature while supporting the place she calls home. It’s this mix of care, knowledge and local connection that makes travelling with her team feel so grounded.
Experience: 9 years
Speaks: Fluent English
Acceptance rate: 82%
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5.0 (36)
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10 hrs
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“swim inside to see and hear the beauty of the silence”
4.9 (19)
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2D2N
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“A caving experience like nothing Ive ever had before”
superhost
5.0 (13)
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“Wed never walked around jungle terrain at night before”
5.0 (36)
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3D2N
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“Porters were extremely attentive especially Kongs uncle who assisted me throughout the entire hike”
5.0 (36)
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3D2N
|Up to 14 guests
“Stunning jungle trek caves and exhilarating zipline over sinkhole”
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