The surreal underground cave of Tham Khoun Xe
If we were to ask adventurers what global area hosts the most interesting natural sightseeing objectives, Vietnam should be on their list. Aside from the well known Mekong Delta or the Halong Bay, this country hosts a hidden wonder of nature: the Tham Khoun Xe Cave, which is located somewhere between Lao and Vietnam.
Although there is no certain information for confirmation, specialists believe that this 7 km long subterranean channel is the largest one in the world. In fact, some of its passages are even 120 meters tall – therefore, cave lovers will have much to discover once they enter this seemingly surreal place. As they enter the cave, visitors can admire the main series of stalagmites, as well as various plants stretching over the rocks. Afterwards, there comes an impressive 150 meters tall limestone – and from then on, the most exciting part begins.
The Tham Khoun Xe Cave hosts one of the largest active cave rivers worldwide and, luckily enough, tourists are able to enjoy it since 2006. Those who enjoy exploring new areas and being on adventures can take a ride by the boat and admire the wide range of rocks on the 60 meters high ceiling. Also, the calm waters of the river make it easy to dive in through the cave and take enough time to explore each area.
Locals who live in Lao have known about the cave for over a century, as they often came here for fishing purposes. Nowadays, the cave attracts a larger number of tourists every year due to its beauty and magnificent, mysterious shades of blue of the water.
Location: Khammouane, Laos
via thisiscolossal.com
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Xe Bang Fai Cave portal near Ban Nong Ping, Khammouane Province, Laos
- Coordinates
- 17.37222, 105.83955
- Access
- This is a remote, community-guided river-cave trip, not a walk-in cave. Thakhek Tours’ current two-day itinerary departs Thakhek at 08:00, drives to Ban Pakphanang, then uses a longtail boat for about 90 minutes upstream to Nong Ping at the cave entrance. Confirm the village guide, boat, road and cave status before departure; high river levels and rain can make access unsafe. The operator says park fees and boat hire are separate from its vehicle package.
- Admission
- No standalone cave admission tariff was found. The current Thakhek Tours listing advertises US$220 per vehicle for up to six people for its two-day/one-night trip, excluding meals, national-park fees and river-boat hire; campsite and other local costs may also be separate. This is a tour-package price, not a cave entrance fee. Confirm all current charges with the operator and community.
- Time needed
- Thakhek Tours says the cave visit by boat and on foot takes over an hour; previous visitor/operator references estimate about 1.5–2 hours for the cave itself. Allow about 90 minutes for the upstream boat transfer each way and plan for the operator’s two-day/one-night itinerary from Thakhek; actual cave time depends on water and local arrangements.
- Best season
- Khammouane Tourism identifies November–April as the dry season and recommends it for easier travel and lower cave-water levels. This is regional guidance, not a guarantee that the cave is open: Thakhek Tours says Xe Bang Fai Cave may close between June and September in some years. Confirm the cave, road and river conditions with the local operator/community before travel.
- Opening hours
- No fixed daily cave hours are published. The current operator’s two-day itinerary departs Thakhek at 08:00; that is a tour departure time, not cave opening hours. Visits must be arranged with local guides and can change with seasonal closure, river levels and weather.
- Location checked
- 2026-10-16
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-16
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