Kong Skull Island Filming Locations in Vietnam

Wondering where Kong: Skull Island (2017) was filmed? The Hollywood adventure brought some of Vietnam’s most breathtaking landscapes to the big screen, from the limestone valleys of Ninh Binh and the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay to the mysterious caves and jungles of Quang Binh. Although the film’s fictional island does not exist, many of its spectacular filming locations are real destinations that travelers can explore in Vietnam today.

Discover where the movie was filmed, which locations you can visit, and how to include these cinematic landscapes in your Vietnam travel itinerary.

Kong: Skull Island Filming Locations in Vietnam

Where was Kong: Skull Island filmed in Vietnam? The 2017 Hollywood blockbuster brought Vietnam’s breathtaking landscapes to the big screen, with filming taking place in three remarkable regions: Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh, and Quang Binh. From towering limestone mountains and emerald-green waters to mysterious caves and lush tropical jungles, these destinations helped transform the fictional Skull Island into a spectacular cinematic world. The best part? Many of these real-life filming locations are open to visitors today. Whether you’re gliding through the limestone valleys of Trang An, cruising among the islands of Ha Long Bay, or exploring the caves of Phong Nha, you can experience the extraordinary scenery that made Kong: Skull Island so memorable. Let’s discover where the movie was filmed in Vietnam and what makes each destination worth adding to your travel itinerary.

Ninh Binh: Trang An, Tam Coc and Van Long

Ninh Binh is one of the most recognizable Vietnamese filming regions featured in Kong: Skull Island. Its dramatic limestone mountains, winding waterways, and lush valleys provided a natural backdrop for the mysterious landscapes of the fictional island.

Travelers can explore Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex on a traditional sampan boat, drifting between towering limestone cliffs and through beautiful river caves. Nearby, Tam Coc offers equally impressive scenery, especially when its rice fields turn golden during the harvest season.

For visitors seeking a quieter experience, Van Long Nature Reserve provides tranquil wetlands surrounded by magnificent karst formations. These landscapes make Ninh Binh an excellent destination for nature lovers, photographers, and travelers interested in discovering Vietnam’s cinematic scenery.

Travel tip: Ninh Binh can be explored on a day trip from Hanoi, although an overnight stay allows more time to enjoy its natural attractions.

Ha Long Bay: The Limestone Islands of Skull Island

Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern Vietnam, contributed some of the movie’s most memorable landscapes. Its thousands of towering limestone formations rising from emerald waters helped create the mysterious atmosphere of Skull Island.

Visitors can discover these spectacular seascapes on a Ha Long Bay cruise, with opportunities to explore hidden caves, kayak through sheltered lagoons, and enjoy panoramic views from the water. For travelers inspired by Kong: Skull Island, an overnight cruise offers a memorable way to experience the natural scenery featured in the film.

Travel tip: Consider spending one or two nights on the bay rather than rushing through the area on a short sightseeing excursion.

Quang Binh – Phong Nha and the Tu Lan Cave System

Quang Binh provided some of the dramatic jungle and cave landscapes seen in Kong: Skull Island. The region is known for its extraordinary limestone formations, underground rivers, and extensive cave systems, including the Tu Lan caves near Tan Hoa.

Travelers interested in adventure can discover the wider Phong Nha region through guided cave excursions, jungle walks, and river experiences. These activities reveal the dramatic natural environment that made the region an ideal filming location.

Travel tip: Some cave adventures require specialist guides and advance arrangements. Choose an experience that matches your fitness level and available travel time.

Can You Visit the Kong: Skull Island Filming?

Yes, many of the real filming locations used in Kong: Skull Island are open to travelers. Although Skull Island itself is fictional, visitors can explore the extraordinary Vietnamese landscapes that appeared in the 2017 movie.

In Ninh Binh, boat excursions through Trang An and Tam Coc offer views of dramatic limestone valleys and winding rivers. In Ha Long Bay, travelers can admire the famous karst islands aboard a sightseeing or overnight cruise. For a more adventurous experience, the Phong Nha region offers guided cave exploration and jungle trekking.

Visitors should note that these are natural destinations rather than permanent movie-themed attractions. The reconstructed Kong film set at Trang An was dismantled in 2019, but the surrounding landscapes remain a major reason to visit.

How to Explore Kong: Skull Island Filming Locations in Vietnam

Travelers can incorporate the filming locations of Kong: Skull Island into a wider Vietnam itinerary, combining natural wonders with cultural attractions.

Starting from Hanoi, visit Ninh Binh to explore the limestone landscapes of Trang An and Tam Coc. Continue to Ha Long Bay for a cruise among the dramatic karst islands featured in the movie. For travelers with additional time, extend the journey to the Phong Nha region to discover Vietnam’s extraordinary caves and tropical landscapes.

These destinations offer much more than filming history, from UNESCO-listed scenery and traditional villages to outdoor adventures and unforgettable river journeys.

A customized itinerary can help travelers explore these regions at their preferred pace while combining the filming locations with other highlights of Vietnam.

Why Did Kong: Skull Island Choose Vietnam as a Filming Location?

Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts chose Vietnam for its extraordinary natural landscapes, which helped bring the mysterious world of Skull Island to life.

From towering limestone formations and winding rivers to untouched valleys and vast cave systems, Vietnam offered the production team dramatic scenery that was difficult to recreate on a traditional movie set.

Actors Tom Hiddleston and Brie Larson also highlighted the beauty and diversity of Vietnam’s landscapes in behind-the-scenes footage released to promote the film.

Today, those same natural attractions continue to inspire travelers seeking authentic outdoor experiences and unforgettable scenery in Vietnam.

With Kong: Skull Island in theaters today, Warner Bros. has released a new featurette for the monster movie that highlights one of the filming locations, Vietnam. In the behind-the-scenes video, director Jordan Vogt-Roberts and some of the cast talk about the importance of on-location shooting and the beauty of Vietnam’s landscape.

“Jordan was very keen on that Skull Island should be made up of places on this planet,” lead actor Tom Hiddleston said in the video about Earth. It’s also mentioned that Skull Island is among the first Hollywood movies of its scope to film in Vietnam.
As you’ll see, Vietnam has a beautiful, exotic-looking landscape, including lush forests, high peaks, and winding rivers. “We’re trying to get nature in its raw form and its wildness and show the diversity of the island,” actress Brie Larson said.
Vietnam Tourism has high hope on the crease of inbound tourists after this movie public.
Some spectacular images of Ninh Binh in another video:

Planning your own Kong: Skull Island adventure? Explore the filming locations across northern and central Vietnam, from Ninh Binh’s limestone valleys to Ha Long Bay’s spectacular islands and the remarkable caves of the Phong Nha region.

FAQs

Where was Kong: Skull Island filmed in 2017?

The 2017 film Kong: Skull Island was shot in Vietnam, Hawaii, and Australia. Major Vietnamese filming regions included Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, and Quang Binh. The movie was filmed primarily in 2015 and 2016 before its theatrical release in March 2017.

When does Kong: Skull Island take place?

Kong: Skull Island is set primarily in 1973, with an opening sequence taking place in 1944. Although the story unfolds on a fictional island, several of its landscapes were filmed at real destinations in Vietnam that travelers can still explore.

Is Skull Island a real place in Vietnam?

No. Skull Island is a fictional location created for the movie. However, many of its breathtaking landscapes were filmed in Vietnam, particularly in Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, and Quang Binh. Visitors can explore these destinations on sightseeing trips, cruises, and guided adventures.

Can tourists visit the Kong: Skull Island filming locations?

Yes. Travelers can visit many of the Vietnamese filming regions, including Trang An and Tam Coc in Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, and the Phong Nha area. While some specific filming spots may have restricted access, the surrounding natural attractions offer excellent opportunities to experience the landscapes seen in the movie.