Bookings for expeditions to Son Doong have surged after a television report on the cave aired on a major US programme, leaving all places sold out through the end of 2027.
Tourists conquering Son Doong Cave (Photo: Oxalis).
Nguyen Chau A, a representative of the tour operator, said that on March 30 alone 200 international visitors successfully registered for the tour, but will now have to wait until 2028 for a chance to enter the cave.
To protect the site and preserve its unique value, the number of visitors allowed on Son Doong tours is capped at about 1,000 a year. The operator said all 1,000 places for 2026 were booked early, and all 2027 places have also been taken.
The current tour price is nearly VND 80 million (USD 3,076) million per person. Each expedition group is limited to 10 visitors and supported by a professional team of 30 staff.
Cost is not the only barrier. The Son Doong expedition is regarded as highly demanding, requiring participants to be in strong physical condition and capable of trekking through forest, crossing streams and climbing steep slopes. Visitors must also pass rigorous theoretical and practical fitness tests before being allowed to join, because the experience is classified as adventure tourism.
A number of well-known Vietnamese and international figures have completed the expedition, including H’hen Nie, Alan Walker, Suboi and Duong Truong Thien Ly.
Son Doong lies in the Phong Nha-Ke Bang area and was first discovered by a local resident in 1990. In 2009, it was surveyed by the British Vietnam Caving Expedition Team and announced as the largest cave in the world. Official tourism sources describe it as being in the core area of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.
The cave is about 9km long, with some sections rising as high as a 65-storey building. Its largest chambers are so vast that a Boeing 747 could pass through without its wings touching the sides, while other sections narrow dramatically. There is no mobile phone signal inside, leaving visitors completely cut off from the outside world.
Near the middle of the cave is the first of two dolines, where the ceiling collapsed to create a natural skylight. It is one of the few places where sunlight enters, allowing forest vegetation to grow inside the cave over millions of years.
Son Doong has been open to tourists since 2013, and more than 8,000 visitors have completed the journey to date.
Earlier this year, CBS aired a 12-minute report on Son Doong in 60 Minutes, bringing the cave to millions of viewers worldwide. According to the operator, the film crew shot on location from January 14 to 17, 2026, with producer Nicole Young, Jonathan Partridge, presenter Scott Pelley and photographer Ryan Deboodt among those involved.
The tour operator confirmed that all 1,000 Son Doong tour slots for 2026 were booked early, and 2027 slots are also fully reserved. The necessity for tourists to book now for an expedition in 2028 highlights the cave's exceptional appeal.
To ensure conservation and preserve its unique value, the number of visitors for Son Doong exploration tours is limited to approximately 1,000 people annually. This scarcity creates a special allure, making Son Doong a 'dream' for exploration enthusiasts worldwide.
The current price for a Son Doong Cave tour is nearly VND 80 million (approximately USD 3,137) per person. The tour operator limits each Son Doong expedition group to just 10 people, supported by a large professional team of 30 staff.
The high cost is not the only barrier; the Son Doong Cave tour is highly challenging, requiring tourists to be in excellent physical condition, capable of jungle trekking, stream wading, and steep climbing. They must also pass rigorous theoretical and practical fitness tests.
Failure to pass these tests will disqualify tourists from participating in the Son Doong expedition, as it is an adventure tour.
Many Vietnamese and international celebrities have successfully conquered Son Doong Cave, including Miss H'hen Nie, Norwegian DJ Alan Walker, Rapper Suboi, and runner-up Duong Truong Thien Ly.
Son Doong Cave, located within the Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park in Quang Tri Province, was first discovered by a local resident in 1990. In 2009, Son Doong was explored by the British Royal Cave Association and declared the largest cave on the planet.
Since its announcement, Son Doong Cave has captivated the world with its incredibly massive size and unique cave formations found nowhere else. The cave is approximately 9 kilometres long, with some sections as high as a 65-storey building. The Giza Pyramid could fit entirely inside.
A Boeing 747 aircraft could fly through its largest section without touching its wings. However, in many other areas, the passages are extremely narrow. There is no phone signal inside the cave, completely isolating visitors from the outside world. In the middle of the cave is the first of two sinkholes.
This is where the cave ceiling collapsed, forming a 'skylight'. This area is one of the rare spots with natural light. Over millions of years, the overlying limestone could no longer support itself, causing the ceiling to collapse. The incoming light allows a forest ecosystem to flourish inside the cave.
Son Doong Cave began operating for tourism in 2013, and to date, over 8,000 tourists have explored this largest cave in the world.
Previously, CBS Television (USA) broadcast a 12-minute report on Son Doong during its 60 Minutes programme, showcasing the film crew's exploration journey to millions of viewers globally.
