Dong Hoi (Phong Nha)

The Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (Quang Binh Province, Central Vietnam) is approximately 500 km south of Hanoi and 200 km north of Hue. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site recognized for its geological richness and biodiversity.
The park gets its name from its main features, which include the Phong Nha caves and the Ke Bang forest.
Established to preserve the second-largest karst region in the world and its unique ecosystems, the park showcases a landscape of karst plateaus and tropical forests, exhibiting remarkable geological phenomena such as numerous caves and underground rivers.
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park also hosts a high level of biodiversity with numerous endemic species. It is a must-visit destination for those who appreciate pristine nature and adventure travel in Vietnam.

Things to see and do

Cave Exploration
The park is home to around 300 caves, some of which are considered among the most beautiful in the world:
Son Doong Cave: The world's largest cave, stretching 9 kilometers with an uninterrupted gallery soaring 200 meters high and 100 meters wide. While initially reserved for athletes, it is now open to the public for exploration during hikes.
Phong Nha Cave: Nearly 8 kilometers in length, Phong Nha is one of the world's longest water caves, showcasing incredible geological formations, stalagmites, and stalactites. It is the only cave in Vietnam with an underground river exploited for tourism. Accessible by boat from the village of Son Trach along the Son River, it features the largest karst landscape in Vietnam and is a sacred site for the Cham ethnic group.
Paradise Cave: Nestled in the limestone heart of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, discovered in 2005 and open to the public for a few years, it is considered one of the most beautiful caves globally. Its beauty lies in its incredible stalactites and stalagmites with fantastic shapes, formed over 400 million years, some with a diameter of over 5 meters.
This cave is even larger than Phong Nha Cave, with a depth of 31 km, a width ranging from 30m to 150m, and a height between 60m and 80m.
For regular tourists, only the first kilometer of the cave is accessible via a wooden pathway. To reach it, one must climb 518 steps. A 7km hiking adventure inside the caves is reserved for hikers.
Dark Cave: The exploration of this cave is reserved for those who love sports and adventure. You can try the zip line, relax in a mud bath, or explore the cave in darkness.
Cave Systems Hang En and Hang Va: These can be explored during a hike.
Bicycle Ride in the Surrounding Countryside
Enjoy a bicycle or scooter ride in the surrounding countryside. You will witness beautiful karst landscapes, crossing rice fields along the Ho Chi Minh trail.
Relax on Nhat Le Beach
Nhat Le Beach is located in Dong Hoi, the capital of Quang Binh province, 50 kilometers from Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park. The sand is very white, and the water is clean.
Accommodation options range from simple hotels to 4-5 star resorts.
Region for Sustainable Tourism and Adventure Enthusiasts
In this area, several sports activities are offered:
Zip-lining
Hiking to explore the primary forest at Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park
Kayaking along the Chay River towards the primary forest, entering some underground rivers to admire the fantastic geological formations of certain caves accessible only by kayak, such as Phong Nha and Dark Cave. This eco-friendly activity allows you to discover this beautiful nature reserve from a unique and rare perspective.
Hiking and Trekking in Phong Nha
One of the best ways to enjoy the exceptional landscape of Phong Nha Ke Bang is hiking. It's a great opportunity to discover one of Vietnam's richest ecosystems. Numerous trails for all levels are available, taking you through a lush jungle composed of rich fauna and flora. The walk is ideal for nature lovers looking to take a breath of fresh air away from the hustle and bustle of big cities. You can opt for a trek for one or several days with nights in bivouac to discover more remote caves. A true adventure travel experience to undertake in this beautiful region of Vietnam.

Good to Know

When to visit?

The best period: From November to July
From August to October, the water level of the river rises, making it impossible to visit certain caves like Phong Nha or Son Doong. Other dry caves like Tien Son and Thien Duong can still be visited.

Access

By air:
From Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hai Phong to Dong Hoi. Flights operated by Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Jetstars, Vietjet Air...
By train: North-South trains pass through Dong Hoi station.
SE3: Departure from Hanoi at 19:30, arrival in Dong Hoi around 5:20, and SE19: 20:10 – 6:00.
SE6: Departure from Saigon at 9:00, arrival in Dong Hoi around 8:27, and SE12: 7:55 – 09:26.
By car:
National Route No. 1 and the Ho Chi Minh Trail cross the province, making bus access easy from all cities. There are day buses and also sleeper buses from Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, and more.

Continuing your journey

Hue, 200km south of Phong Nha Ke Bang
Among the historical sites along the Ho Chi Minh Trail: Khe Xanh...
Ninh Binh, the terrestrial Halong Bay, 400 km north of Phong Nha Ke Bang
Hanoi, 500 km north of Phong Nha Ke Bang
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