Welcome to Phong Nha, where adventure awaits amidst breathtaking natural wonders! Nestled in the heart of Vietnam’s Quang Binh province, Phong Nha is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. From exploring colossal caves to cruising along tranquil rivers, this enchanting destination offers a myriad of unforgettable experiences.
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What is Phong Nha?
Tucked away from the tourist crowds, Phong Nha in central Vietnam is known for its immense cave systems.
The main attraction is Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you’ll find some of the world’s biggest and most beautiful caves. Son Doong Cave is the largest known cave passage, while Phong Nha Cave is famous for its impressive rock formations.
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But wait, there’s more than caves! In fact, Phong Nha is surrounded by greenery and tall cliffs, and it’s a hotspot for adventurers and nature lovers.
The town is located on the shore of the Son River, which gently flows in front of it. The river winds its way through the picturesque landscapes of the region, offering stunning views and opportunities for water-based activities.
Aside from caves, Phong Nha offers outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, and biking – as well as serene landscapes. Whether you’re after adventure or relaxation, Phong Nha has something for everyone.
How to get to Phong Nha?
Phong Nha is located in the Quang Binh Province, Central Vietnam. Below you can find the distance and travel time from other major travel destinations in Vietnam.
From Hanoi:
Distance: Approximately 494 km (307 miles).
Travel time: Approximately 8-9 hours.
From Ninh Binh:
Distance: Approximately 400 km (248 miles).
Travel time: Around 7-8 hours.
From Hue:
Distance: Approximately 220 km (137 miles).
Travel time: Roughly 4-5 hours.
From Hoi An:
Distance: Approximately 350 km (217 miles).
Travel time: Around 6-7 hours.
The most convenient way to reach Phong Nha is by bus. You have plenty of options including limousine sleeping buses and VIP cabin buses.
Depending on where you are, you can book them through a local travel agency, through your accommodation, on 12goasia or on apps like Vexere.
Best things to do in Phong Nha
Phong Nha is an adventurer’s dream, and as you dive into this chapter, you’ll discover why it’s so irresistible.
While the caves steal the show, there’s a world of excitement waiting in Phong Nha for everyone to experience and enjoy. Here’s a map that you can save for your upcoming trip.
🗺️ HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Click the top left icon to get more info about this map. Use the star icon next to the title to save it in your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, then go to “your places“, tap on “maps” and you will see this map on your list.
1) Go on an Overnight Cave Trek
Joining a day or multi-day trek to the caves located deep in the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. For this type of activity, joining a tour is mandatory, as solo trekkers aren’t allowed in the national park without a permit.
There are four licensed tour companies in Phong Nha:
Each of them offers different tours to different caves and jungles, ranging from family-friendly one-day hikes to challenging and advanced 6-day expeditions.
The main caves you can visit with these tours are Son Doong (the world’s largest cave, 3.000$ USD), Hang En (third world’s largest cave, $317 USD), Tu Lan Cave (various tours available, different prices), Hang Va and Nuoc Nut, among many others.
Oxalis is the biggest tour company in Phong Nha and is the one who offers tours to the caves listed above. Some of these tours sell out up to a year in advance, so we recommend planning your trip in advance to avoid any bad surprises.
Phong Nha Discovery offers tours to the Abandoned Valley and the Thuy Cung Cave, for about $183 USD.
Jungle Boss has other tours available, including Elephant cave, Hang Pygmy and Hung Thoong.
Moc Nam‘s website isn’t the best, but we’ve seen banners around the city, offering tours to the Abandoned Valley, E Cave, Golden Cave and more.
2) Paradise Cave
Paradise Cave is one of the few caves that you can easily visit without a tour. You will see tours which include this cave on their day tour, but you don’t really need to waste money on that.
This cave is about 24km from Phong Nha, and it takes about 45 minutes to get there by bike. The cave is open daily from 7AM to 4PM. The entrance fee to the Paradise Cave is 250,000 VND ($10.20 USD) per person, and you can buy tickets on site.
From the parking lot, it’s a 2km walk on a flat terrain followed by 600m on a slight incline. Then, you’ll spot the cave entrance, where a wooden path begins. You can walk for about 1km inside the cave.
Paradise Cave was by far the best cave we visited in Vietnam without a tour, and you should definitely prioritise a visit here when in Phong Nha.
TIP: There is almost nobody until 9pm here, so if you want to have the place to yourself – like we did – you just need to get there by 7 or 8am.
3) The Phong Nha Farmers Market
The Farmers Market of Phong Nha isn’t your typical tourist attraction. It’s about as genuine as markets get, and you’ll definitely catch some curious looks from the locals.
At the Phong Nha farmers market, you’ll find vendors selling freshly caught fish from the nearby river, along with an array of vegetables and meat products.
For visitors, there might not be a lot to do or purchase here, but wandering among the vendors as they go about their daily routines is a fascinating experience.
4) Phong Nha Cave
Phong Nha Cave is arguably the second best cave you can visit on your own in Phong Nha. This is an easy excursion, and you can do it directly from the city centre.
Check out Phong Nha Cave Boat Station on our map, as that’s the starting point for visiting Phong Nha Cave. There, buy the entrance ticket (150.000 VND / $6 USD per person) and a boat ticket (550.000 VND / $22.50 USD per 12 people) and hop on your boat.
Please note: you need to find the other people to fill your boat yourself before buying the boat ticket!
Once on board, you’ll make your way to and inside the cave by boat. You’ll desembark inside, and walk back outside visiting the cave. Then, the return trip is again by boat.
5) Phong Nha Botanic Garden
The Phong Nha Botanic Garden, situated within Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Vietnam, offers visitors the opportunity to explore nature trails amidst the park’s diverse ecosystem.
While the name suggests a focus on botanical features, such as native flora, the garden is primarily known for its trekking routes.
These trails wind through the forested terrain, providing hikers with opportunities to experience the natural beauty of the area, including scenic vistas and local wildlife.
6) Dark Cave
Situated within the national park, the Dark Cave is about 22km from the town of Phong Nha. The entrance fee is 450.000 VND ($18 USD) per person.
The cave derives its name from its unique characteristics. Unlike other caves in the area, the Dark Cave lacks artificial lighting, creating an immersive experience in complete darkness. Visitors explore the cave with headlamps or flashlights, navigating through its passages and chambers.
The Dark Cave offers a range of adventure activities for visitors. These may include zip-lining over the Chay River to reach the cave entrance, swimming through its underground river, and experiencing the exhilarating mud bath within the cave.
Despite its lack of natural light, the Dark Cave boasts stunning geological formations, including stalactites and stalagmites, which are illuminated by visitors’ headlamps, revealing intricate details and formations.
The easiest way to visit the Dark Cave is by joining a guided tour.
7) The Duck Stop
As its name suggests, the Duck Stop is a farm in Phong Nha that is home to a variety of ducks, as well as other farm animals like chickens and goats. Visitors have the opportunity to interact with the friendly ducks, feed them, and even participate in activities such as duck herding or egg collecting.
The Duck Stop is situated in a picturesque rural area, surrounded by rice paddies and lush greenery, providing a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life.
This is how it works: once you get there you’re welcomed by one of the workers of the farm. They offer you peanuts and describe you the package. The cost is 100.000 VND ($4 USD) per person and you get the duck feeding experience (which is very immersive) as well as a meal (rice pancakes). Avoid visiting right after lunch.
The Duck Stop’s idyllic setting provides a picturesque backdrop for visitors to unwind and reconnect with nature. It is open daily from 10AM to 6PM.
8) The Monkey Bridge
On the same road of the Duck Stop is a cafe, which is home to the Monkey Bridge of Phong Nha.
The Monkey Bridge is a traditional wooden bridge found in rural areas of Vietnam, including near Phong Nha. It’s named for the way people cross it, resembling the movement of monkeys. These bridges are typically made from bamboo or wood and are suspended over rivers or streams.
The cafe offers several packages which include the crazy swing, the rubber tree eperience and the monkey bridge. Sadly, as of January 2024 the monkey bridge was broken and it wasn’t possible to do it.
Prices range from 50.000 VND to 190.000VND ($2 to $8 USD), depending on the activities chosen. Drinks like coffee, beer and sodas are 25.000VND each, or $1 USD.
9) Discover the Countryside
The countryside surrounding Phong Nha is a treasure trove of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. From emerald-green rice paddies to meandering rivers bordered by swaying bamboo, every turn reveals a new facet of Vietnam’s rural landscape.
The heart of Phong Nha’s countryside lies in its people. Take the time to connect with locals, whose warm smiles and welcoming demeanor offer a glimpse into Vietnamese rural life. Visit a family-run farm, where you can learn about traditional farming methods and even lend a hand in planting or harvesting crops.
10) Mooc Spring
Mooc Spring is a bit of a hidden gem in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Enveloped by lush forests and crystal-clear streams, Mooc Spring offers a vibrant array of activities for visitors seeking aquatic adventures.
From swimming and bridge jumping to kayaking, there’s no shortage of excitement. Additionally, nature enthusiasts can enjoy scenic walks along well-marked trails, providing opportunities to observe native flora and fauna within the park’s rich biodiversity.
Operating hours at Mooc Spring are from 8 AM to 5 PM daily, with admission typically priced around 110.000 VND ($4.50 USD) per person.
11) Spend time by the Son River
The Son River is renowned for its scenic beauty, with emerald-green waters reflecting the surrounding verdant hills and limestone cliffs. Its calm surface creates a peaceful atmosphere, inviting visitors to unwind and appreciate the natural splendor of the area.
While the Son River is primarily known for its tranquil ambiance, it also offers opportunities for recreational activities. Visitors can enjoy leisurely boat rides along the river, soaking in the idyllic scenery and capturing memorable moments against the backdrop of limestone karsts.
We definitely recommend spending some time by the shore of the Son River, as it’s one of the most serene landscapes you can find in Vietnam.
Where to stay in Phong Nha
The best place to stay in Phong Nha is by the riverfront. Trust us, the views are unbeatable. Check out the photo of the Son River above; that’s the view from our accommodation! Can you imagine waking up to that every morning?
But if you’re keen to meet new people, head to Central Backpackers Hostel. It’s the only proper hostel in town and the go-to spot in Phong Nha for backpackers, right by the main road.
ON A BUDGET: Central Backpackers Hostel (only real hostel in town!) Phong Nha Amanda 2 Homestay (even has a pool!), Phong Nha Tuan Garden House (great food!)
MID-RANGE: Funny Monkeys Homestay (great views), Karst Villas Phong Nha (pool with stunning views), Phong Nha Coco Riverside (also by the river)
LUXURY: Victory Road Villas (highest quality in Phong Nha), Chày Lập Farmstay (beautiful design, located in the countryside)
Best cafes and restaurants in Phong Nha
For both sunrise and sunset, check out Bella Café at Funny Monkeys Homestay. They have stunning views over the river, including a platform to access the water.
On the same riverside, a nice restaurant is Nhà Bè Nổi Sông Son, which serves local and authentic dishes. If you’re searching for a local restaurant with bbq options, try Cô Điệp, located near the boat deck.
For coffee lovers, check out Trung Nguyên E-Coffee, a lovely cafe located on the main road of Phong Nha. Nearby there’s also Phong Nha Coffee Station, which serves delicious western breakfasts.
The best pho place, preferred by locals for breakfast, is called Nam Định Quán (PHỞ-BÚN BÒ). Don’t expect a fancy place, but their pho is to die for.
For a mid-range option, opt for Bamboo Chopsticks or Tree House Cafe & Restaurant. Alternatively, another very nice option is Phong Nha Family Restaurant, which is part of the Tuan Garden House homestay.
All of these places are pinned in our Phong Nha Map, which you can easily save on your phone for later.
Best time to visit Phong Nha
Phong Nha, situated in north-central Vietnam’s Quang Binh province, experiences unpredictable weather patterns between the temperate north and tropical south. Travelers should be prepared for fluctuating temperatures and pack accordingly for the seasons.
The best time to visit Phong Nha is during the summer months (June to August), or alternatively, during the spring season.
The worst time of the year to visit Phong Nha, on the other hand, is during the rainy season, which lasts from mid-September to December.
Here is an in-depth look at each season:
Winter (December to February):
- Winter in Phong Nha brings cooler temperatures and sporadic light rain showers.
- Visitors should pack warmer clothing and a lightweight rain jacket to stay comfortable during their stay.
Transitional Spring-Like Season (March to April):
- During March and April, the weather begins to warm up, and rain showers become less frequent.
- Ideal for those who prefer milder temperatures and less humidity.
- The rice paddies are vibrant green, adding to the picturesque scenery.
Summer (June to August):
- Considered the hottest months, summer brings lush greenery and crystal-clear, turquoise waters to Phong Nha.
- This time of year is picturesque, ideal for exploring the area’s rural landscapes.
- Dry ground conditions make accessing remote areas easier compared to the wet season.
Wet Season (Autumn – October to December):
- Central and north-central Vietnam, including Phong Nha, experience heavy rainfall and occasional flooding.
- Stay updated on weather forecasts if traveling during this time.
- While temperatures are warmer than winter, it’s essential to pack warm clothing, sturdy footwear, and a rain jacket.
How long should you stay in Phong Nha?
We recommend spending at least a couple of days in Phong Nha. When planning your stay, you should allow at least one day to visit Paradise Cave, Dark Cave and nearby areas, and another day to visit Phong Nha Cave and the rural areas near the Monkey Bridge.
If you’re planning to join a multi-day trek to a cave with one of the tour operators, allow at least one extra day either before or after the tour to visit the town.
