Where is Nguom Ngao Cave
Nguom Ngao Cave is located in Gun Village, Dam Thuy Commune, Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang Province. In the local Tay language, the cave’s name means “Tiger Cave.”
Here are some facts about Nguom Ngao Cave:
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The cave was formed around 400 million years ago.
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It was only discovered in 1921 and became a tourist attraction in 1996.
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Nguom Ngao Cave is 2,769 meters long and 61.1 meters deep.
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It has three entrances: Nguom Lom (located in a rock mass at the foot of the mountain), Nguom Ngao (the main entrance, after climbing several hundred steps), and another entrance in Thuon Village nearby.
Nguom Ngao Cave entry
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There is an underground stream that flows through the entire length of the cave, originating from the Quay Son River.
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The cave’s name either comes from the belief that tigers used to inhabit it or from the sound of water echoing through the cave, resembling a tiger’s roar.
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The stalactites in the cave have a unique bright yellow or silver-gray color due to the high calcium content mixed with various impurities.
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In 1998, the cave was recognized as a national scenic spot by the Vietnam Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
How To Get There
To reach the cave, you need to take the route from Hanoi to Cao Bang and then from Cao Bang to Nguom Ngao Cave.
Ways to get to Nguom Ngao Cave
Hanoi to Cao Bang
Cao Bang is 280 kilometers away from Hanoi. The most common way to travel is by long bus or minivan, with ticket prices ranging from $12 to $16, depending on the type of vehicle. The journey takes about 6 to 7 hours.
Here are some contact details for transportation services:
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Kim Dung: 1900 272 708
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Viet Ngan Luxury Limousine: 0966 955 99
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Thien Van Limousine: 0374 622 666
Alternatively, you can travel by motorbike, though this option is less popular due to the longer travel time, approximately 8 to 12 hours. If you are planning an extended motorbike adventure across Vietnam, this could be a viable option.
Cao Bang to Nguom Ngao Cave
Nguom Ngao Cave is located near the Vietnam-China border, thus it is quite far from Cao Bang city center, about 87 kilometers away.
From the city center or your homestay, you can either continue by car or rent a motorbike to reach the cave.
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Motorbike rental costs around $4 to $8 per day, including fuel, and the journey takes about 2 to 2.5 hours.
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Renting a car usually costs about $0.4 per kilometer, making the total trip around $30 to $35. The drive takes approximately 1.5 hours.
The cave is also just a few kilometers from Ban Gioc Waterfall and Phat Tich Truc Lam Pagoda, so visitors often combine these three sites into one trip.
Best Time To See
Visitors can explore Nguom Ngao Cave year-round. Inside the cave, a stream flows continuously, maintaining a mild and pleasant temperature and atmosphere—cool in summer and warm in winter.
Nguom Ngao during dry season
The area experiences two seasons:
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Rainy Season (May to September): During this period, the cave sees an increased flow of water, creating a dynamic and lively ambiance.
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Dry Season (October to April): The water levels are lower, leaving the cave dry and easily accessible.
In general, visiting Nguom Ngao Cave is not affected by the weather, so you can choose your timing based on your travel itinerary and exploration preferences.
Things To Explore
Nguom Ngao Cave is a large cave with impressive and majestic natural formations that attract visitors to admire and explore. The entrance fee is $1.6 per ticket.
Explore the magnificent cave of Nguom Ngao
Although the cave stretches nearly 3 kilometers, only about 1 kilometer is available for exploration. Nguom Ngao Cave is divided into several corridors featuring various stalactites of different sizes along the way.
As you step into the cave, the mesmerizing natural landscape with its strange and beautiful stalactite formations will leave you in awe. Countless stalagmites rise from the ground, while stalactites hang from the high cave ceilings, reflecting a shimmering and mystical light.
The cave’s most famous stalactite formations are the cascading waterfall, terraced fields, an inverted lotus, the lone waterfall column, a fireplace, and treasure chests, among others.
There is a legend about the inverted lotus in the cave. It is said that long ago, a Buddha sat on the lotus for countless years without achieving enlightenment. Growing weary and disheartened, he turned the lotus upside down and transformed into a stone pillar beside it. Since then, it is believed that if you catch a drop of water from the Buddha’s hand and rub it on your face, you will encounter good fortune.
How to visit Nguom Ngao Cave
Tips To Visit
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Most visitors enter the cave from the Nguom Ngao entrance, but there is also a tour route from Thuon Village.
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While many parts of the cave are spacious, some areas are low and narrow, so be mindful of your head when moving around.
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If you will explore the cave during the rainy season, consider wearing walking sandals, as you may need to wade through some water pools.
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If you choose to visit with a guided tour, the fee is approximately $8 per person.
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There are several homestays near Nguom Ngao Cave if you prefer not to stay in the Cao Bang city center, such as Khuoi Ky Homestay, Lan’s Homestay Ban Gioc, Yen Nhi Homestay, etc. The cost ranges from $8 to $30 per night, depending on the place.
Explore Nguom Ngao cave by waterway in wet season
For a comprehensive look, don't miss our post on things to do in Cao Bang!
These are the essential details you need for your visit to Nguom Ngao Cave. You can discover more interesting aspects of Cao Bang on our website, and feel free to message us if you need advice on Vietnam tours.
