Situated in the centre of the UNESCO-declared World Heritage area, the Sung Sot grotto (the French named it "grotte des surprises" - Surprise Grotto) is on Bo Hon Island, and is one of the finest and widest grottoes of Ha Long Bay.

Ascending to the grotto, the 500-meter paved path is covered by trees and foliage, and consists of great paved stone blocks.

Inside the cave, it is partitioned into two chambers; the first one being similar to a wide theatre hall. Many stalactites hang from the high ceiling, with numerous possible forms and shapes. Up in the 30-meter roof of the grotto, one can figure out small, soft and even concave spots, which look like patterns in the ceiling of a theater. A huge piece of stone stands up to the ceiling by the grotto’s mouth. This evidences one of the typical karst-style grottoes with high scientific values.

A narrow passage leads to the second rooms, where a flow of light meets visitors. The chamber is so immense that it could contain thousands of people at a time.

At the deepest point of the grotto, a "royal garden" appears with a clear pond and a seemingly fascinating landscape of mountains. Many birds and plants (benjamin figs, cycads and centenary banyan trees) live here. On nice days groups of monkeys might arrive in search for fruit.

At the side of the entrance, the rock seems to form the shape of a horse with a long sword. Legend has it, that after having defeated the An aggressors (a chinese dynasty), Thanh Giong (the Saint Gióng) helped the people to chase away evil spirits and demons. After this feat, Saint Gióng flew to heaven, leaving a stone horse and sword to continually keep the demons away.

Let's help you experience the cave with our Halong cruise tour in comfort.