Ban Tham Cave in Son La is the only mountain tunnel road in Northwest Vietnam, offering a thrilling off-road experience through a dark, rocky passage. A must-visit for adventure seekers!
Ban Tham Cave, also known as Tham Luong (meaning "the great cave" in the local dialect), is a historic wartime tunnel and the only mountain tunnel road in Northwest Vietnam.
Located in Tham Village, Tong Lanh Commune, Thuan Chau District, Son La Province, this unique passage has become a must-visit destination for adventure enthusiasts.
In recent years, Ban Tham Cave has gained popularity among thrill-seeking travelers, especially those looking to conquer Pha Din Pass - one of Vietnam’s four most legendary mountain passes.
A rugged and challenging journey
Ban Tham Cave is located halfway up a limestone mountain in Tong Lanh Commune. The image shows the road leading from National Highway 6 to the cave.
Duy An has visited Ban Tham Cave three times, most recently at the end of 2024.
According to the Vietnam Record Organization (VietKings), Ban Tham Cave is the only naturally formed mountain tunnel in the Northwest region. It stretches approximately 500 meters in a curved, arc-like shape. Originally a natural cave, it was later modified by soldiers to serve as a hidden pathway and weapons storage site. Over time, it was further carved out to create a mountain pass.
Traveler Nguyen Le Duy An, who has visited Ban Tham Cave three times - most recently in December 2024 - describes it as an extraordinary experience.
"From afar, the cave looks like a tunnel carved into the middle of a mountain. Standing at the entrance, you can see National Highway 6 about 300 meters away," he says.
"The road leading to the cave is steep and rugged, with one side flanked by cliffs and the other by deep valleys. Only motorcycles and high-clearance vehicles can make the journey."
The cave’s entrance is just wide enough for a truck weighing 1.5 to 2 tons to pass through. Upon stepping inside, travelers are greeted by a rush of cool air. The cave is damp, with uneven gravel paths and potholes that make driving challenging.
Due to the lack of natural light, visitors must ensure their vehicles have working headlights or carry personal flashlights.
The entrance to Ban Tham Cave.
The visitor from Ho Chi Minh City traveled at only about 20 km/h inside the cave.
Because the cave is very dark and the path is covered with gravel and rocks, visitors with weak riding skills often do not dare to pass through.
The road out of the cave leads to villages in Tong Lanh Commune.
"The feeling of riding a motorcycle through the cave is surreal - it’s like entering a labyrinth inside the mountains. The deeper you go, the more you realize how narrow and winding the path is," Duy An shares.
Inside the cave, stalactites form beautiful and unique shapes, adding to the mystical atmosphere. After exiting the tunnel, travelers emerge onto a road lined with bamboo forests leading into Tong Lanh Commune.
A destination for thrill-seekers
While Ban Tham Cave is a dream for adventure lovers, it is not for the faint-hearted. The dark, slippery terrain requires skilled handling, and visitors must remain cautious at all times.
After passing through the cave, travelers can explore Tong Lanh Commune, home to more than 60 households in Ban Chun, Ban Tham, and parts of Ban Cuong Muong. The area offers a peaceful retreat, where visitors can experience local culture and enjoy traditional cuisine.
As tourism in the region remains underdeveloped, Ban Tham Cave and its surroundings retain their untouched beauty, making it an ideal escape for those looking for an authentic, off-grid experience.
For those visiting Thuan Chau District, Ban Tham Cave can be part of a broader itinerary that includes other notable attractions such as Pha Din Pass, the historic Thuận Châu Flag Tower, Lai Bay Lake, and the ancient Muong Bam Tower.
Vietnamnet.vn
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