In recent years, Hang Ban Tham has attracted travel enthusiasts, especially those eager to conquer Pha Din Pass – one of the four greatest mountain passes in Vietnam.
Hang Ban Tham is nestled halfway up the mountain in Tong Lanh commune. The picture shows the road leading to the cave from National Highway 6.
According to the Vietnam Records Organization (VietKings), the cave is the only tunnel through the mountains in the Northwest region.
The cave stretches about 500 meters, curving in an arc. It is a natural cave that was once renovated by soldiers to store weapons. Later, it was further excavated to create a path through the mountain.
Mr. Duy An visited Hang Ban Tham three times, most recently in late 2024.
Mr. Nguyen Le Duy An from Ho Chi Minh City has experienced the mountain pass in Hang Ban Tham three times, with his latest trip being in December 2024.
According to Mr. An, the cave looks like a tunnel halfway up the mountain. From the cave’s entrance, one can spot National Highway 6, about 300 meters away.
“The road from the mountain’s base to the cave entrance is steep and narrow, with a rock wall on one side and a deep drop on the other. Therefore, only motorcycles and vehicles with high ground clearance can navigate this route,” he said.
Entrance of Hang Ban Tham
As described by the visitor from Ho Chi Minh City, the entrance of Hang Ban Tham is just wide enough for a truck with a payload of 1.5 to 2 tons to pass through.
Standing at the mouth of the cave, one can feel the cool breeze emanating from within. The cave is quite damp, and the road is riddled with pebbles, potholes, and slippery surfaces. Most of the turns leading out of the cave are relatively narrow, making driving a bit challenging.
Deeper inside, the cave branches into various large and small passages. Some sections are almost as wide as a house, while others are barely wide enough for a person and a vehicle to squeeze through.
The visitor from Ho Chi Minh City drove at a cautious speed of around 20 km/h inside the cave
Due to the darkness within the cave and the lack of natural light, visitors must ensure their vehicles have functioning lights or carry flashlights.
“Riding a motorcycle inside the cave is an indescribable yet exhilarating experience. I felt like I was navigating a maze in the mountains.
As you make your way through the cave, you’ll also get to admire the beautiful and uniquely shaped stalactites.
Exiting the cave, you’ll find yourself on a road amidst a bamboo forest, leading to Tong Lanh commune,” shared Mr. An.
Due to the darkness and rocky terrain inside the cave, visitors with less driving experience often avoid this route.
The road exiting the cave leads to the villages of Tong Lanh commune
The middle-aged man also advised that visitors to Hang Ban Tham should have driving experience and always remain focused and cautious while navigating through the cave.
After passing through the cave, tourists can visit Tong Lanh commune, home to over 60 households from Chùn and Thẳm villages and a few households from Cuông Mường village. Here, they can explore the local nature and culture, and indulge in authentic cuisine.
With underdeveloped tourism services, the area retains its pristine beauty, offering a perfect “healing” destination for travelers.
If you find yourself in Thuan Chau district, in addition to Hang Ban Tham, you can also explore other fascinating attractions such as Pha Din Pass, the historical site of Ky Dai Thuan Chau, Lai Bay Lake, and the architectural relic of Muong Bam Tower…
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