Tham Nam (Water cave)
Tham Nam (Water cave)
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4.0
461 reviews
Excellent
173
Very good
177
Average
77
Poor
16
Terrible
18
Barreldogs
Cremorne, Australia305 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
I ended up here by mistake looking for something different, but I'm glad I took the wrong turn (Oh google, if you're reading this, your directions to get here are wrong!). I paid the 20000kip entry fee and was greeted by a guy who spoke about the best English I've heard in Laos. I told him I was travelling solo so didn't want to leave my bag alone. Included in the entry fee (20000kip is about $2 Aussie at the time of writing) is a locker hire, tube hire and headlight hire. You jump in the tube and pull yourself through the cave in your tube and pretty soon need to turn the headlight on to see anything in the pitch black. I was there by myself and even though the stalactite formations are simply amazing I kept just stopping and turning my headlamp off to immerse myself in the cave and enhance the sense of hearing by removing sight. You can hear the water dripping off the cave ceiling, the occasional lap against the wall that you make, occasionally a bit of roaring water where it is somehow entering the cave and yet not making any current. This turned out to be one of my highlights of my time in Vang Vieng, and I didn't even plan to go there!
Written March 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LouiseWakelin
Koh Samui, Surathani, Thailand7 contributions
Feb 2017 • Solo
I had a horrible experience in one of the caves before Tham Nam cave. It was next to Bee Cave where the road forks but I can't remember the name of the cave now and I can't find it on the map. I paid the ticket collector guy and got my torch and two young kids stood up to 'guide' me to the caves. We went first to a small water cave and everything was great, they were swimming and pushing me round on the tube. We then went into the bigger cave. You have to climb up quite high up the rocks to get to it and then it opens up into a beautiful big cave. The boys then guided me through a labyrinth of small holes deeper into the cave. We were getting deeper and deeper into the cave when the boy behind me started to put his hands on my breasts and bum. I kepts asking him not to and removing his hands but he kept on doing it, laughing with his friend. These boys were only about 10 years old but I keep thinking what happens when these boys are a bit older. I am lucky to have got out ok, but I want to warn any girls who are visiting the caves on their own to do so with caution, better to go with a friend.
Written March 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah B
Cheshire, UK34 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
We read the good reviews about this place so decided to hire a scooter and we drove ourselves over to the cave. We paid 10,000 kip to cross over the bridge into the 'cave complex' and then another 15,000 kip to hire a headtorch, life jacket and tube to enter the cave. We were simply left and instructed to follow the rope through the cave. We set off into the dark and soon realised that it was literally just the 2 of us and definitely wasn't 'great fun' like many of the reviews suggested. We had no idea how deep this cave went and I soon began to panic about our safety. I'm not the biggest fan of tight spaces and I'm definitely not keen on the dark so this soon escalated into my worst nightmare. I started to panic that it was just the 2 of us and we were literally following some old rope through a pitch black cave and I could feel fishes or other creatures brushing against me in the dark. I was SO scared!! In the end we had to turn around because we were getting proper worked up about the whole thing, it was not enjoyable at all!! Do not come here on your own!! Maybe I would have felt safer in a tour group but I wasn't willing to pay the prices that they demand.
Written November 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nickiBH
Hong Kong559 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
I changed our itinerary to visit VV as well mostly because of the black cave tubing. My husband did a black water rafting in New Zealand but I knew I wasn't brave enough to do that so this VV tubing was just perfect for me, to experience black cave tubing, but without any physical demand!
We did it at around 11am to avoid the crowd (although there were at least 20 already). The water would still feel a bit cold (February time) but luckily we didn't have to duck our heads as it must be low tide. I did wear a long sleeve on top of my swim suit as inside the caves it could feel cool.
TIPS: we paid 10,000 kip at the restaurant each for a rental set of everything, head light, safety vest and of course the tube. If you want, you can also hire a water cave guide for a small extra (only about 2 US I think). I am glad we did and felt grateful so we tipped him extra even he didn't ask for it. (I saw a reviewer below mistaking him for a person cheating on tourists to get more on top of the 10,000kip, but he was not, and I am telling you why.)
Some said it was not worth the trouble for three min in a noisy cave but that was because they didn't know there was a quiet passage leading to a pitch dark world much much deeper than the outside noisy area. When most tourists got off after about three minutes from the entrance, I thought that was it but our guide took us away from the big crowd ( and I thought he was taking us to a short cut out). But then he asked me to sit back on my tube after the shallow area, a few other smart tourists then followed us (couldn't do so, or dare not do without a local!). After at least 20 minutes or so into total darkness, when everybody turned off their head lights, and kept quiet, one could experience the total fear of abandonment, especially after the few other tourists decided to leave us behind (perhaps too fear of the mystery ahead, or because they had a time limit to get back).
At that point as we were not blocking anybody in line ( no others behind us), we took our time floating on the tubes and looked up on top of us when the guide only turned on his torch and lit it just enough to see the sparkling in the black cave. You could imagine seeing the stars in a moonless night in a quiet world.
Although his English was limited, it was enough to alert us to see different interesting things in the caves, which we would have not noticed if we were on our own, or with a noisy group.
After all, I think it was very worth a few dollars more to experience a different black cave since we came all the way for this unique experience!
Tips: bring along used gloves for the rope pulling. Helps a lot especially if you get to see the very inside of the caves which is quite a long way in.
We did it at around 11am to avoid the crowd (although there were at least 20 already). The water would still feel a bit cold (February time) but luckily we didn't have to duck our heads as it must be low tide. I did wear a long sleeve on top of my swim suit as inside the caves it could feel cool.
TIPS: we paid 10,000 kip at the restaurant each for a rental set of everything, head light, safety vest and of course the tube. If you want, you can also hire a water cave guide for a small extra (only about 2 US I think). I am glad we did and felt grateful so we tipped him extra even he didn't ask for it. (I saw a reviewer below mistaking him for a person cheating on tourists to get more on top of the 10,000kip, but he was not, and I am telling you why.)
Some said it was not worth the trouble for three min in a noisy cave but that was because they didn't know there was a quiet passage leading to a pitch dark world much much deeper than the outside noisy area. When most tourists got off after about three minutes from the entrance, I thought that was it but our guide took us away from the big crowd ( and I thought he was taking us to a short cut out). But then he asked me to sit back on my tube after the shallow area, a few other smart tourists then followed us (couldn't do so, or dare not do without a local!). After at least 20 minutes or so into total darkness, when everybody turned off their head lights, and kept quiet, one could experience the total fear of abandonment, especially after the few other tourists decided to leave us behind (perhaps too fear of the mystery ahead, or because they had a time limit to get back).
At that point as we were not blocking anybody in line ( no others behind us), we took our time floating on the tubes and looked up on top of us when the guide only turned on his torch and lit it just enough to see the sparkling in the black cave. You could imagine seeing the stars in a moonless night in a quiet world.
Although his English was limited, it was enough to alert us to see different interesting things in the caves, which we would have not noticed if we were on our own, or with a noisy group.
After all, I think it was very worth a few dollars more to experience a different black cave since we came all the way for this unique experience!
Tips: bring along used gloves for the rope pulling. Helps a lot especially if you get to see the very inside of the caves which is quite a long way in.
Written March 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
annnnnnnia
Warsaw, Poland2 contributions
Dec 2017 • Solo
It was an unusual experience to get into a dark cave on a tube, especially if you wait till any group gets out and go there in silence alone or just in a small group. Definietly worth visiting. But avoid quite a young guy with acne (characteristic) - he told me to pay 50 000 kip for a tube, light and safety west. The real price is 10 000 kip - thats what I paid for all the equipmemt to people in a "restaurant" on the opposite side.
Written December 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julian I
Paris, France47 contributions
Feb 2017 • Friends
Arrive here with a tour of 8 people, when we got there we had to wait around 15 minutes cuz there were no wheels to go inside the cave. Too many people out the cave and even more inside. Its nice but I wouldn't do it twice.
Written October 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Niamh
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam60 contributions
Oct 2015
I'm reviewing all these at once because we did them as part of a day trip (which is very manageable). To get there, we rented a motorbike in Vang Vieng and drove to the entrance site (to get there take a left turn just past the 69km marker on Route 13, there's a sign, be careful not to miss it. After a short drive you'll come to a parking lot and the bridge over the river.) Once you cross the bridge (10,000 kip return), turn left and you'll see Elephant Cave (5,000 kip). This is undoubtedly the most underwhelming cave of the lot and can be covered in a couple of minutes. Next, after a short walk through the village and rice fields, is Tham Loup, which in my opinion is the most impressive of the lot. Before entering you need to collect a head-torch and pay the entrance fee (10,000 kip for both Tham Loup and Tham Hoi). Tham Loup is quite long and has several rather impressive geological formations. The inside of the cave is extremely muddy, sticky and slippery, with low ceilings. Either wear very sensible shoes, or go barefoot (flip flops will stick and die in the mud, trust me). Following Tham Loup is Tham Hoi (Snail Cave - named for the snail-like formations inside). This cave is 2km long, but after 0.5 - 1km you will have seen pretty much all there is to see, it becomes very dark and narrow after that. Finally there is the Water Cave. Here you rent a tube and head-torch (10,000 kip), brace yourself against the cold water, and enter what is during wet season an unimaginably small cave entrance and float along. The cave itself isn't particularly impressive and during wet season the trip is disappointingly short, but the novelty lies in pulling yourself on a tube along a rope (and watching/listening to other extremely excited tourists pushing eachother into the water). Then it's just a short walk from here back to the bridge. Overall it's a very enjoyable trip, but be wary: after visiting Elephant Cave, we were at first followed and then gradually led by a local guy from the village. He never announced himself as a guide, but by the time we reached Tham Loup it became apparent that he had adopted that role. To be honest, however, his assistance was actually very useful - the route to Tham Loup and Tham Hoi isn't signposted and quite tricky to find, and his knowledge of the caves once we were inside meant that we were able to see a lot more than we probably would have on our own. Because of this, we were more than happy to offer him a generous tip at the end of the trip, but he rejected this and demanded 200,000 kip (more than a tour would have cost us, especially as he was only with us for around 2 hours). In the end we paid half of what he asked and left with a rather bitter taste. As I said, a guide is useful, but be prepared to challenge them upfront about the cost as soon as they make their presence known or you can expect a rather hefty charge at the end of your trip.
Written October 21, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Krueatip C
Bangkok26 contributions
Nov 2014 • Friends
First of all I have to say the water cave is very nice one of the cool experience in Laos and very worth for the fee 10,000 kip.
What you will get by paying 10,000 kip is
1. Flash light for rent
2. Tub
3. Simple instruction that follow the rope when you in the cave hahaha
There is no guide needed here you just need to follow the rope.
Even you lost the rope during you are in the cave there still not serious issue because the water will bring you to the front anyway.
Another highlight for me at the water cave is the restaurant there the owner is very nice, honest, helpful and good at cooking.
Food at the restaurant the restaurant only have beef if you are vegan or non-beef like me you can ask her to put egg instead.
Recommend menu would be Khao Piak (Laotian Fresh Rice Noodle )and fried Khao Piak Noodle.
only one complain is about how to get there we drive motor bike from town to the cave the main road is find but the sub road to the cave is very rocky.
Moreover form the parking point you have to walk around 20-30 mins to go to the cave.
I really have good time at the water cave BUT it get to water cave is difference story.
* This story is for just to warning traveller to be more careful and research another attraction point not just the one you want to go like me.
First of all my back ground is We are group of female 4 persons rent motor bike drive from town to water cave by our self.
Once we arrive we have to pay 10,000 Kip to cross the bridge (this is where we can park our motor bike) it call bridge fee which you will see a lot in Vang Vieng.
After we pay the bridge fee the guy who collect money (I will call him 1st guide) telling us that the water cave is far and very pack right now you better see another cave first.
(we also notice that there is 4 -5 tourist cars at the entrant). This is where our mistake start we really thing that it a good it deal to kill time and wait until it less crowded.
He said he will guide you to the cave (free of charge) as the walk way is quite complicate (we already do some research that this area is quite complicate you need to guild and give them some tip in return)
This is when the tricky part start after the 1st guide leading us around half way another guide (2nd guide ) show up saying on word we even thought that they are father and sun saying.
Both guide lead us to the cave (Elephant cave) in order to go in the cave you have to rent flash light which cost you 10,000 Kip and entrant fee 10,000 Kip.
Before we get in to the cave once of my friend already ask 1st guide that are you sure there is no extra charge he said no no no. Once we start walking the 2nd guide (with out any request form us) and 1st guide waiting out side.
2nd guide keep walking in front of us for few mins we know that he come to guide us (However as talking with 1 guide we think that should not be a problem)
After finished walking around 1 hr. Both of the guide show us the direction (just point finger) how to walk to the water cave. After that 2nd guide start asking for his money !!! He said he need 15 USD per person from us.
We realize that we are at the middle for rice field in Laos so we better pay however we did bargain until down to 4 USD per person.
The money is an issue YES but not as big as the feeling of being rob is ...just.....
Why we know for sure that we got rob ?
Because after we arrive the water cave we have a chance to talk with owner of the restaurant there and found out that lot of ppl have same problem hahaha
What the government allow is collect entrant fee and flash light of guide you only pay base on tip and usually it sound 1-2 USD per person.
About the Elephant cave there is not much to see in the cave if you not cave lover don't go it not for kill time as it very difficult to walk in the cave if you don't have proper shoes.
What you will get by paying 10,000 kip is
1. Flash light for rent
2. Tub
3. Simple instruction that follow the rope when you in the cave hahaha
There is no guide needed here you just need to follow the rope.
Even you lost the rope during you are in the cave there still not serious issue because the water will bring you to the front anyway.
Another highlight for me at the water cave is the restaurant there the owner is very nice, honest, helpful and good at cooking.
Food at the restaurant the restaurant only have beef if you are vegan or non-beef like me you can ask her to put egg instead.
Recommend menu would be Khao Piak (Laotian Fresh Rice Noodle )and fried Khao Piak Noodle.
only one complain is about how to get there we drive motor bike from town to the cave the main road is find but the sub road to the cave is very rocky.
Moreover form the parking point you have to walk around 20-30 mins to go to the cave.
I really have good time at the water cave BUT it get to water cave is difference story.
* This story is for just to warning traveller to be more careful and research another attraction point not just the one you want to go like me.
First of all my back ground is We are group of female 4 persons rent motor bike drive from town to water cave by our self.
Once we arrive we have to pay 10,000 Kip to cross the bridge (this is where we can park our motor bike) it call bridge fee which you will see a lot in Vang Vieng.
After we pay the bridge fee the guy who collect money (I will call him 1st guide) telling us that the water cave is far and very pack right now you better see another cave first.
(we also notice that there is 4 -5 tourist cars at the entrant). This is where our mistake start we really thing that it a good it deal to kill time and wait until it less crowded.
He said he will guide you to the cave (free of charge) as the walk way is quite complicate (we already do some research that this area is quite complicate you need to guild and give them some tip in return)
This is when the tricky part start after the 1st guide leading us around half way another guide (2nd guide ) show up saying on word we even thought that they are father and sun saying.
Both guide lead us to the cave (Elephant cave) in order to go in the cave you have to rent flash light which cost you 10,000 Kip and entrant fee 10,000 Kip.
Before we get in to the cave once of my friend already ask 1st guide that are you sure there is no extra charge he said no no no. Once we start walking the 2nd guide (with out any request form us) and 1st guide waiting out side.
2nd guide keep walking in front of us for few mins we know that he come to guide us (However as talking with 1 guide we think that should not be a problem)
After finished walking around 1 hr. Both of the guide show us the direction (just point finger) how to walk to the water cave. After that 2nd guide start asking for his money !!! He said he need 15 USD per person from us.
We realize that we are at the middle for rice field in Laos so we better pay however we did bargain until down to 4 USD per person.
The money is an issue YES but not as big as the feeling of being rob is ...just.....
Why we know for sure that we got rob ?
Because after we arrive the water cave we have a chance to talk with owner of the restaurant there and found out that lot of ppl have same problem hahaha
What the government allow is collect entrant fee and flash light of guide you only pay base on tip and usually it sound 1-2 USD per person.
About the Elephant cave there is not much to see in the cave if you not cave lover don't go it not for kill time as it very difficult to walk in the cave if you don't have proper shoes.
Written November 26, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MicheeMoo1
Christchurch, New Zealand79 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
We visited Tham Nam Cave, Elephant Cave, Ziplining, Blue Lagoon 4 and kayaking with AK Tours. It was a fun day - a bit slow if you like more adventure. The ziplining was the highlight. The cave tubing was fun and the kayaking fine - but not long enough. Lunch was provided. Blue Lagoon 4 wasnt busy so we had it mainly to ourselves. Total cost $30US.
Written July 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MrNiceGuyIsaac
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia159 contributions
Mar 2018 • Solo
Tubing in the water cave is a new experience for me. Everything was great. But I didn't see any bats (shall I?) 🤣
Heard a few tube exploded inside the cave, so becareful when tubing inside the cave as the sharp edge of the stone might pierce the tube. But I think that water is shallow, nothing to worry about. Just enjoy the tuning inside the water cave
Heard a few tube exploded inside the cave, so becareful when tubing inside the cave as the sharp edge of the stone might pierce the tube. But I think that water is shallow, nothing to worry about. Just enjoy the tuning inside the water cave
Written March 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi I am going to visit the cave tomorrow I would like to know if there is any place where we can leave our stuff while we visiting the cave? Or do I have to bring everything with me?
Thanks for your help :) ko
Written March 5, 2019
If you are going there in a van then you might be able to leave some things in the van, however I'd recommend travelling light and bringing what you have in with you. You can buy dry bags in various sizes (1L, 2L, 5L etc sizes) from town so you can keep your wallet and other valuables dry. Note that you'll be floating on a tube and then crawling through a cave so you've want to have your hands free some of the time. Get a waterproof case for your phone or camera if you can as it's cool to get photos in and around the cave.
Written March 5, 2019
Hi there was 2 young children I saw coming back and they were wet ! So I assume children can ride
Kind regards
Nick
Written March 3, 2019
ขอทราบราคาไกด์นำเที่ยวพูดไทย-อังกฤษได้พร้อมรถรับส่งค่ะ แล้วถ้าจะเที่ยวให้ทั่ววังเวียงต้องบุ๊คโรงแรมกี่วัน ขอสถานที่ท่องเที่ยวที่ขึ้นชื่อของวังเวียงด้วยค่ะ
Written June 15, 2018
hello, How much is the entrance fee? How do you get there and how much you are charged?
Written July 10, 2016
VVTV is a travel agency, yes, it located near the corner of Bamboo cafe & bar and Sakura bar. Actually, we planned too short time for Vangvieng. In 1 day, we did not have enough time for all. Finally, we choosed a 8am to 5pm tour with full of activities (zipline, watercave, kayaking). So we missed the Phukham cave and blue lagoon. However, our time in Vangvieng is still unforgettable!
Written July 11, 2016
ซื้อทัวร์ราคา เท่าไหร่กันค่ะ ของเจ้าไหน ไปอ่านหลายรีวิว แต่ละคนได้ราคาไม่เท่ากัน ทั้งๆที่ กิจกรรมเหมือนกัน .. เราว่าจะไปค่ะ อยากได้ข้อมูลจะได้ไม่ต้องเดินหาทัวร์เทียบราคานาน
Written April 17, 2016
มีใครเคยไปแต่ไม่ได้ซื้อทัวร์ไหมค่ะ
แต่เราเห็นต่างชาติบางคนรีวิวไปเอง แต่ภาษาอังกฤษเราไม่แตกฉาน เลยไม่ค่อยได้ข้อมูลอะไรมาก
Written April 12, 2016
กิจกรรมที่ถ้ำน้ำต้องใช้อุปกรณ์ คือ ห่วงยาง ในการเล่น tubing จึงจำเป็นต้องซื้อทัวร์จากร้านทัวร์ในเมืองวังเวียง
Written April 17, 2016
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