A Thrilling Underground Adventure – Exploring the Tu Lan Cave System with Oxalis

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to swim through ancient caves, trek through dense jungle terrain, and uncover one of Vietnam’s most pristine underground worlds, this episode is your backstage pass.

In this episode of What About Vietnam, I sit down with my husband, Andrew Newsome, who is still riding the adrenaline rush from his once-in-a-lifetime expedition through the Tu Lan Cave system in Phong Nha, Vietnam.

Led by the elite Oxalis Adventure team, this four-day trek pushed him to his limits, but he loved every minute. While he says it is both physically and mentally challenging - judge for yourself if you think your fitness and skills are up for it.

What to Expect in This Episode:

• What makes Tu Lan different from its famous cousin, Son Doong
• The fitness factor – Who is this expedition really for? Can a regular traveler take on the challenge?
• Would you expect this kind of outdoor experience in Vietnam?– Jungle treks, river crossings, and nights under the stars
• What does the experience of swimming through caves feel like?–
• Flawless organization – How Oxalis delivers world-class safety, guidance, and an unforgettable experience
• Food in the wild – Yes, even in the middle of the jungle, the meals were next level

This is not just another travel story. This is an adventure that redefines what’s possible in Vietnam’s breathtaking landscapes. In all our years of visiting this country, rarely has anything impressed my husband this much - and that says a lot.

If you're an adventure seeker, nature lover, or someone looking for an epic bucket-list experience, this episode will leave you lacing up your trekking boots to start training, and itching to book your own Tu Lan expedition.

Tune in now, and let’s dive into the adventure of a lifetime.

[00:04:28] Caving expedition motivation.
[00:07:41] Fitness levels for jungle trekking.
[00:10:15] Expedition planning and organization.
[00:16:30] Hiking through jungle terrain.
[00:21:07] Organised adventure in Vietnam.
[00:22:51] Delicious Vietnamese jungle food.
[00:27:15] The beauty of the caves.

The book tour Andrew did is here - https://oxalisadventure.com/cave/tu-lan-cave-system/

The show with Howard Limbert that inspired Andrew - https://www.whataboutvietnam.com/series-3/episode-22/vietnam's-phong-nha-caves---in-depth