Son Doong Day 1 - Prepping for World’s Largest Cave | Vietnam
Hanoi to Phong Nha: One chaotic, exciting, and unforgettable day to start the adventure of a lifetime.
🧭 Introduction: Before the Cave, There's the Chaos
Before stepping into the world’s largest cave, there's an entire day of planning, packing, flights, and anticipation. Day 1 of the Son Doong expedition isn’t about jungle trekking just yet — it’s about earning your place on the trail. From the moment I left my Hanoi Airbnb to the final gear check in Phong Nha, everything felt like both a test and a countdown.
Son Doong Cave isn’t something you just “go see.” It’s an expedition, regulated by the Vietnamese government, with limited slots and a single company authorized to take you inside. Just getting to the start line is an achievement.
🌅 Early Morning in Hanoi – Goodbye to the City
The day started early in Hanoi. With a flight to Dong Hoi ahead, I packed up, flagged down a taxi, and left the city behind. It was surprisingly easy to find a cab, even at sunrise. I didn’t even need to call a Grab — just stood outside and negotiated based on the Grab price.
I always get anxious when catching flights, especially for something this important. Miss a connection, and you miss the entire cave trek. Thankfully, Vietnam’s domestic flights are generally on time — and I left myself a generous buffer.
✈️ Flight to Dong Hoi – A Gateway to the Jungle
At the airport, I found some breakfast and tried to calm my nerves with a bowl of beef noodle soup and some video editing. While waiting, I met a few locals from Dong Hoi who immediately recognized I was headed toward "the new one" — Son Doong Cave. It’s amazing how this cave has already become a point of pride for people in the region.
The flight itself was short and painless. But as I descended into Dong Hoi, my mind started to shift gears. This was no longer vacation — it was now an expedition.
👋 Meeting the Guide & Fellow Trekkers
At the Dong Hoi airport, I was greeted by a smiling man holding a sign with my name — Thai, our driver. From there, we loaded into the van and began the 45-minute drive to Phong Nha.
Inside the van, I met fellow trekkers from across the globe — people who would soon become jungle companions. The conversations flowed easily as we shared where we’d come from: the U.S., Canada, England, Vietnam. Everyone was nervous. Everyone was excited.
🏞️ Welcome to Phong Nha
We arrived in Phong Nha — a small but tourism-heavy village that’s home to Vietnam’s most famous caves. 40% of the town’s population works in tourism, many directly supporting Oxalis, the one company authorized to guide Son Doong treks.
I checked into my homestay — surprisingly modern, with air conditioning, a spacious bathroom, and even a pool. Probably the last “luxury” I’d see for a while.
🍜 Lunch Break: Spring Rolls & Pineapple Juice
With a few hours before the safety briefing, I joined Dave and Ashok (two fellow adventurers) for a walk into town. After dodging a few rain clouds and street cows, we landed at Highway 20 Homestay & Restaurant, which served both Western and Vietnamese fare.
A highlight? The fresh pineapple juice. Just $1.37 for a tall glass of sweet, ripe juice. This is what Vietnamese village life does best — simple pleasures done perfectly.
💆 Kiwi Beauty: One Last Moment of Comfort
With time still to spare, I walked into Kiwi Beauty — the only massage place in town — for a last-minute massage. Inside, locals were getting their hair done while I lay on a table getting my back worked on.
🎒 Safety Briefing: Welcome to Expedition Mode
At 5:30 PM, the real expedition began.
The safety briefing covered everything: how to pack our bags, what shoes we could or couldn’t wear (no waterproof hiking boots), and how to properly fit our helmets.
There’s no electricity in the cave, so I had to pack five days of batteries and power banks — nearly 10 pounds of gear just for filming. The rest of my stuff had to fit into a 15-pound dry bag that porters would carry each day.
We also met the entire trekking group. Everyone was buzzing. Strangers in the morning. Teammates by night.
🛍️ Jungle Fashion: Oxalis Shop Time
After the safety check, we raided the Oxalis gear shop. Bright colors are recommended for better photo visibility inside the cave, so I picked up a bright orange long-sleeve shirt and a headband.
🛏️ Homestay at Commander Lodge
Back at the homestay, I took stock of my room and gear. This would be the last time I’d sleep in a real bed for days. The room was spacious, comfortable, and quiet — a perfect final recharge.
⚖️ The Packing Challenge
Packing was a puzzle. My clothes, electronics, toiletries, and sleeping gear all had to fit in two bags: one I’d carry during the day, and one the porters would haul (limited to 15 pounds).
I used a luggage scale to make sure I was within weight limits. I was barely there.
🧘♂️ Final Thoughts: Quiet Before the Storm
Some people don’t count this as part of the trek — but they should. The paperwork, gear checks, nervous energy, new friendships, and last sips of fresh juice are all part of the story.
Tomorrow, we trek.
📍 Featured Locations on Google Maps
Hanoi – Where it all began.
Dong Hoi Airport (VDH) – The flight into central Vietnam.
Commander Lodge - First Night’s Homestay
Highway 20 Homestay & Restaurant – Lunch stop with fresh spring rolls.
Kiwi Beauty Spa – Best massage in Phong Nha.
Oxalis Adventure Headquarters – The one and only Son Doong tour operator.
▶️ Watch the Full Video & Series
🎥 Watch the full vlog on YouTube:
👉 Son Doong Day 1 Vlog – Prepping for the World’s Largest Cave
🌏 Want to experience the entire expedition?
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