English
French
Spanish
ItalianChay River & Toi Cave
Chay River - Toi Cave is an ecotourism site featuring water-based activities, situated in the Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, a recognized World Heritage Site. Keep reading this article to see what is interesting about Chay River and Toi Cave with Asia King Travel.
Chay River is a branch of the Son River, begins at Chay Waterfall. It was named for the pounding sound of the cascading water, which resembles the rhythmic beating of traditional rice mortars (known as "chay" in Vietnamese).
Chay River glows with emerald waters (Source: Phong Nha Discovery)
Despite being modest in length (about 10 kilometers), the river is renowned for its breathtaking scenery and exceptional ecological significance. Its waters shimmer with a mystical jade green hue, winding through rugged rapids, timeworn limestone mountains, and vibrant cornfields on either side, forming a picturesque natural landscape.
In certain areas, the river reaches depths of up to 20 meters, with a bed made up of limestone deposits that have built up over millions of years.
It was not until 1992 that the cave was discovered by the British Royal Cave Exploration Association. Due to the pitch-black darkness that permeates every corner, they named it Toi (meaning “dark” in Vietnamese).
Toi Cave stretches 5,258 meters in length, reaches 80 meters in height, and spans 50 meters in width. It has two entrances: the front one opens to the Chay River (30 meters high and over 10 meters wide), while the rear entrance connects to the forest (50 meters high and around 20 meters wide).
Explore the raw beauty of Toi Cave (Source: Netin Travel)
Inside, the cave is adorned with numerous stalactites of various shapes and colors. Over time, these formations have changed in appearance, some turning lemon yellow, others lime white, and some covered in moss green. Remarkably, Toi Cave is one of the few places where parasitic ferns grow on stalactites, a rare natural phenomenon in other cave systems.
Chay River and Toi Cave are located within Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, Quang Tri Province, Central Vietnam. The site lies about 75 kilometers northwest of Dong Hoi city center and approximately 500 kilometers south of Hanoi.
Read more: Center Vietnam Tour 6 days: Explore Charming Region
From Dong Hoi City, you can reach Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park by renting a motorbike, self-driving car, or hiring a private vehicle. Since the distance is over 70 km, it's important to plan ahead and ensure you're well-prepared if you choose to drive yourself.
In terms of specific direction, you should start from Hoang Dieu Street. Then head toward Trinh Hoai Duc and take the first exit at the roundabout onto Phan Dinh Phung Street. From there, turn right onto Ho Chi Minh Road (National Highway 16) and follow it for about 40 kilometers. Then, turn left onto Ho Chi Minh West and look for the left turn near Khanh Thuy Restaurant.
Continue to move straight, crossing Chay Lap Suspension Bridge and then Tram Suspension Bridge. After that, turn right and drive about 1 km to reach Tram Me Village Ferry Wharf. Go a bit further, and you’ll arrive at the Son River, where clear signs will guide you to the Chay River - Toi Cave area.
Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park (Source: Nguoi Lao Dong)
To explore the Chay River and Toi Cave, you can choose one of the two following routes:
Route 1: Begin your journey at the Phong Nha Cave tourist boat wharf. Travel upstream along the Son River, passing approximately 1 kilometer through Phong Nha Cave until you reach the confluence of the Son, Chay, and Trooc rivers. From there, continue by boat about 5 kilometers along the Chay River to arrive at Toi Cave. After exploring, the trip concludes at Tro Mong Forest Management Station.
Route 2: Take the reverse path, starting from Tro Mong Forest Management Station and finishing your journey at the Phong Nha Cave boat wharf.
The most suitable time to visit the Chay River and Toi Cave is during spring (March to May) and early summer (June). During these periods, the weather is warm and sunny which is perfect for outdoor activities like kayaking, ziplining, and swimming.
The most suitable time to visit the Chay River and Toi Cave is during spring and summer (Source: Phong Nha Cave)
It's advisable to avoid the autumn months (September to November), as this season often brings heavy rains and storms. In the worst circumstances, it definitely can lead to flooding, pose safety risks and affect the overall experience. Although winter sees less rainfall, the lower temperatures make it less ideal for activities such as swimming or cave exploration.
There are 2 options of ticket that you could consider choosing to visit Chay River and Toi Cave tourists areas. Specifically:
• Package ticket: VND 450,000/1 adult. This ticket grants you access to all activities available at the resort, including mud bathing, zipline rides, and the use of essential equipment such as life jackets, headlamps, and helmets for cave exploration.
If you're bringing children, their tickets cost only VND 150,000 per child. However, they must be between 1 meter and 1.3 meters in height. Additionally, children can only participate in kayaking with their parents and are not allowed to use the zipline.
Two people kayak through the misty Chay River, surrounded by lush green mountains (Source: Quang Binh Travel)
• Private ticket: VND 270,000/ 1 adult. With this type of ticket, you will only be able to experience a few separate services such as kayaking, swimming in the Chay River and Zipline. Your children’s tickets from 1,1m-1,3m will cost VND 110,000 per person. Also, don’t worry if your daughter or son is under 1m, they still can use the children’s pool here.
The zipline experience at Chay River and Toi Cave is an exciting highlight that draws thrill-seekers from all over. Stretching 400 meters across the emerald river, this adventure starts from a high platform and ends at the cave entrance, offering a spectacular bird’s-eye view of the natural surroundings. As one of the longest and most scenic double-cable ziplines in Vietnam, we are sure that this is a must-try for every visitor.
Visitors enjoy thrilling zipline at the entrance of Toi Cave (Source: Quang Binh Travel)
When reading Toi Cave review information to plan itinerary, you will notice an experience that is worth a place on your bucket list is bathing in mud inside the cave.
This natural mud bath, formed during the rainy season, offers not only a fun activity but also a deeply relaxing one. According to researchers, it helps rejuvenate both body and mind, potentially boosting your overall physical and mental well-being.
Splash into pure fun with a unique mud bath inside Toi Cave (Source: Phong Nha Cave)
In contrast to the more adrenaline-pumping activities, swimming and kayaking on the Chay River provide a calmer yet equally thrilling way to take in the natural beauty. Most of the kayaks available are inflatable two-seaters, and life jackets are also provided to ensure your safety.
After your adventure inside Toi Cave, you can hop into a kayak and glide along the Chay River’s striking emerald water. Just imagine yourself soaking in the cool, clear river, breathing deeply in the crisp air, and being embraced by stunning scenery, it will be a revitalizing experience like no other.
For those in search of a physically demanding activity, the floating obstacle course is a perfect fit. Participants must maintain balance on floating pads, scale wooden structures, and leap over hurdles to stay dry. It’s an exhilarating experience that boosts teamwork and guarantees lots of fun and laughter along the way.
People enjoy water games at Chay River (Source: Quang Binh Discovery)
Chay River - Toi Cave offers the perfect mix of stunning scenery and exciting activities. Don’t miss the chance to discover one of Vietnam’s hidden gems. Book your adventure today with Asia King Travel for an unforgettable journey!
Read more: Phong Nha Cave Tour 2 Days: Explore the Hidden Wonders
