Dark and Light Cave Halong Bay: A Magical Discovery at a World Heritage Gem

The Gulf of Tonkin in Northern Vietnam is a great destination for tourists. Located between Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay, Day and Night Cave is a unique spot with the mystery of a world heritage. Explore Dark and Light Cave Halong Bay to experience the magical beauty of creation, creating a memorable journey.
 

Geological processes in the Northern region of Vietnam and especially Ha Long Bay have created three main types of caves, including underground caves, ancient limestone caves and frog caves. Dark Cave and Bright Cave are an excellent example of a frog-shaped cave, with the floor being below sea level and the ceiling being higher than sea level. Their unique structure provides an exciting experience for visitors, whose interior can be explored by boat or kayak.

Dark Cave and Bright Cave include two main parts: Dark Cave and Bright Cave. Dark Cave is quite deep and narrow, usually located below sea level, where visitors are not allowed to enter. The remaining part is Bright Cave, which is larger with a height of 3 meters, a width of 4 meters and a length of 100 meters. The height of Bright Cave depends on the tide, and rarely does sea water reach the ceiling of the cave, creating conditions for visitors to explore.

The surroundings are ideal for enjoying nature, while enjoying the fresh air and viewing the diverse flora. The cave's cliffs still retain ancient fossil traces of freshwater snails, proving that the cave was inhabited by humans thousands of years ago. In addition, visitors can also encounter monkeys, shady Benjamin fig trees and many types of fragrant blooming orchids.

Dark Cave, also known as Day and Night Cave, is often compared to "Underwater Surprise Cave" (another famous cave in Ha Long Bay). As the name suggests, visitors will definitely be surprised by the amazing beauty when entering Dark Cave.
 

Location

Located in the protected area of Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve, Dark Cave and Bright Cave are located in the adjacent area between Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay.

This gives Dark Cave and Bright Cave unique landscapes, combining the outstanding geological features of Ha Long Bay and the diversity of the Cat Ba archipelago.

In the vicinity of Dark and Bright Cave, there are famous fishing villages where fishing communities live in harmony with nature. They not only exploit natural resources sustainably but also contribute to the conservation of the marine biosphere.

Beauty

The charm of Dark Cave and Bright Cave cannot be denied. When entering the cave, visitors will be fascinated by the sparkling diatoms on the cave ceiling. These diatoms, in all shapes and sizes, create a picture like tree sprouts in a mysterious forest. The special shape of these two caves is created from the condensation process of limestone lasting millions of years.

The cave ceiling has a dome shape, and the atmosphere inside is very dark, creating the feeling of walking in an underwater tunnel. Along the 100 meter length of Dark Cave and Bright Cave, visitors will encounter a different world. The cave leads to a peaceful lake, surrounded by silent limestone cliffs. This scene is interesting with many types of plants and orchids covering the top and slopes of the mountain, forming a large green wall in this area.

Bright and Dark Cave is the door to a wonderland, where visitors can experience the harmony between the sea, mountains, sky and plants. Discovering the wonderful beauty of Dark Cave and Bright Cave will make all hardships pass away, leaving visitors with an impression of the mysterious beauty of nature.

Explore the cave by kayak

An experience not to be missed in Ha Long Bay is kayaking to explore Dark and Bright Cave. With a limited height, large ships cannot access the cave, so visitors have the opportunity to rent kayaks or small boats to explore this cave on their own.

On the boat, you can admire small fish in the water, bats flying on the cave ceiling, as well as birds and monkeys on neighboring islands. This is a great opportunity to enjoy fresh air and forget all the worries of daily life.
 

Witness traces of sea water erosion

On the way to the cave entrance, visitors can see traces of sea water eroding into the foot of the limestone mountain. This landscape offers a unique experience with rugged rock colors and beautiful coral reefs, along with schools of small fish swimming in the blue sea water.

Admire sparkling stalactites

Near the cave, visitors will be surprised by the stalactites falling from the ceiling of the cave, especially if they visit during quiet moments, they can admire the flock of bats flying under the cave dome, explaining the place's name Bat Cave.

Visit green valley

After passing through the Dark and Bright Cave, a cool green valley with majestic limestone mountains will open. Stop by kayak to enjoy the beautiful surroundings, immerse yourself in the water, and feel the peace of the sea, mountains, and clouds. This will definitely be a moment of returning to pristine nature.

Visit Cua Van village

Cua Van Village, one of the most beautiful ancient villages in the world, is a destination not to be missed. With more than 200 families living on floating rafts, this village is not only naturally beautiful but also demonstrates the community's awareness of environmental protection.

Watch the sunset at sea

On the way back, you can enjoy the romantic sunset in the middle of the vast ocean, with cruises creating a mystical picture of water, mountains, and the setting sun. Let yourself experience immersion in the wonderful beauty of the afternoon.

Dark Cave and Bright Cave are located about 2 km from Sung Sot Cave, a famous tourist destination in Ha Long Bay. To get to Dark and Bright Cave, the only option is to use a cruise ship from Ha Long Bay or Cat Ba Bay.

If you depart from Tuan Chau wharf in Ha Long city or Got wharf in Hai Phong city, there are many cruise ships that provide cave entry services. It is important to contact the tour company in advance to book and ensure that Dark and Bright Caves are confirmed for your itinerary.

A cruise to visit Ha Long Bay usually lasts from 4 to 6 hours. If you want to experience more activities, you can join a night tour in Ha Long Bay. This will give you the opportunity to discover interesting and unique things in this area.