Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park stuns with its untouched beauty. It resembles a watercolor painting. This place is perfect for visitors to Quang Binh. People call it an “underground palace.” It’s also known as a “heavenly realm.” Both local and foreign tourists flock here.
Where is Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park?
Tucked away in the heart of Quang Binh’s Bo Trach district, Phong Nha-Ke Bang unfurls like a whispered secret, a destination whose captivating beauty illuminates Vietnam’s travel story for every fortunate soul who discovers it. This remarkable locale has twice earned the distinguished recognition of UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage site, a testament to its unparalleled natural splendor. Its unique features attract visitors. Visitors come for the wild beauty of its caves. Underground rivers and primeval forests also draw them in.
Phong Nha-Ke Bang: Here, Quang Binh’s natural wonders shine. It’s not merely a site of historical heroism; Phong Nha-Ke Bang is also an extraordinary kingdom shaped by its caves. Wonders like Son Doong Cave exist here. Within the hushed embrace of the earth lie two realms of breathtaking artistry: Paradise Cave, an ethereal gallery of geological poetry, and Phong Nha Cave, a sprawling kingdom of subterranean majesty, both compelling reasons why this region etches itself into the soul of every traveler.
This area also holds other appealing tourist spots. From Dark Cave and Mooc Spring to Cha Loi Cave, it offers diverse travel experiences. Phong Nha-Ke Bang beckons travelers with an untamed allure, a primal beauty that resonates deeply with the soul. Unique adventures also await them.
1. When is the Best Time to Visit?
Embraced by the breath of tropical monsoons, Quang Binh, with Phong Nha-Ke Bang at its heart, experiences a rhythmic duality of weather – a season of liquid embrace followed by an era of sun-drenched earth.
- Dry Season (April to August): Outside temperatures reach 36-37°C. Sometimes they peak at 40°C. The interior of the caves features a consistently cool temperature of 18-22°C. For those with a penchant for spelunking, this is an excellent time. You can easily join trips to the World Natural Heritage site.
- Rainy Season (September to November): The Son River rises. Underneath Quang Binh’s stunning landscape, Phong Nha Cave’s entrance vanishes with rising waters, halting boat tours. Even with Phong Nha’s watery seclusion, the dry mystique of Tien Son Cave and the brilliant charm of Paradise Cave stand open, inviting exploration of their underground domains. You should plan their trips carefully. You need to pack suitable clothes and gear.
For the best experience, plan your trip to Phong Nha-Ke Bang from November to August. The weather is stable then. There is little rain. This makes exploring caves and moving around easy.
2. Discovering Phong Nha-Ke Bang: Easy Ways to Get There
The 50-kilometer or so distance from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha is well-served by accessible transport methods such as bus, taxi, and motorbike taxi. You can arrive in Dong Hoi by either airplane or train. Here is a detailed travel plan:
Hanoi or Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi
Phong Nha attracts visitors from everywhere. Most domestic tourists come from Hanoi. International tourists often combine their Phong Nha trip with Ninh Binh. From there, travelers can take a bus to the tourist center. Beneath the cloak of night, a direct route on wheels unfurls, connecting the ancient lands of Ninh Binh to the captivating embrace of Phong Nha, offering slumbering passage to adventure.
Da Nang to Dong Hoi
The journey from Da Nang to Dong Hoi covers a terrestrial span nearing 275 kilometers. The travel time is usually around four hours and thirty-five minutes. Ticket prices range from 125,000 VND to 200,000 VND ($5 to $8). You can contact sleeper bus companies for a more comfortable journey.
Ho Chi Minh City to Dong Hoi
The distance is quite far. Traveling by car takes a long time. You should choose an airplane.For a smooth and easily arranged journey between Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Hoi, a direct flight stands out as a superb option. The following three airlines offer this service: Vietjetair, Jetstar, and Vietnam Airlines.
3. Where to Stay?
Central Dong Hoi Hotels: Your Ideal Stay for Exploration
For those desiring the perfect central location in Dong Hoi for their Quang Binh experience, this city features a variety of places to stay that cater to different traveler necessities and financial constraints.
Budget-Friendly Comfort: 2-Star Options in Quang Binh
For 2-star hotel options in Quang Binh, you might want to consider Hanoi Quang Binh, Ngan Ha, Thanh Phuc, Thuy Duong, Ban Mai, and Sunrise. They provide various choices. Nightly room rates fall within the 350,000 to 550,000 VND ($14 to $21) bracket. Breakfast is commonly offered at an extra cost.
Quality Stays: Discovering 3-Star Hotels in Quang Binh
Explore Quang Binh with quality 3-star hotels. For your accommodation needs, consider hotels like Thanh Phuc 2, Riverside, Cao Minh, Quang Phu, Bao Ninh Resort, Anh Linh, and Luxe. Enjoy attractive prices from 500,000 to 800,000 VND ($19 to $31) per room per night. Breakfast is typically included.
Enjoy Your Quang Binh Getaway: 4-Star Hotel Experiences
To make your visit to Quang Binh even more enjoyable, select from two first-rate 4-star hotels: Muong Thanh Quang Binh or Saigon Quang Binh. Expect to pay between 900,000 and 1,100,000 VND ($35 to $42) per room per night. A buffet breakfast is usually provided.
Luxury Retreats: Indulge in Quang Binh’s Finest
Experience luxurious stays in Quang Binh at Sunspa Resort, Gold Coast Resort, and Muong Thanh Luxury. Room prices range from 1,100,000 to 2,500,000 VND per room per night. A buffet breakfast is generally included.
Staying Near Phong Nha-Ke Bang: Explore Nature’s Wonders
Phong Nha hotels are an excellent starting point for discovering the beauty of Phong Nha and nearby attractions. Phong Nha offers diverse lodging options. Choose from upscale homestays like Phong Nha Lake House, Chaylap Farmstay, and Ho Khanh Homestay. Prices range from 800,000 to 1,100,000 VND ($31 to $42) per room per night, often including breakfast. Alternatively, consider newly opened luxury hotels such as Son Doong Bungalow and Victory Road Villa. These cater to travelers with higher budgets.
4. Explore Phong Nha-Ke Bang: Things Must See
You can choose to visit famous caves like Phong Nha and Paradise Cave. Nuoc Nut Cave is another option. For the thrill-seeker, Phong Nha-Ke Bang also presents opportunities to push your limits with exhilarating adventure expeditions. Venturing into subterranean wonders, you can discover places like En Cave and Dark Cave. Besides caves, you can visit Mooc Spring and Vung Chua. Nhat Le Beach offers fresh air and beautiful scenery.
Explore Phong Nha Cave
A 1.2km boat journey with locals. Phong Nha Cave boasts a significant length, measuring in at 7,729 meters. Its subterranean river network claims the distinction of being the most extensive globally. To see its magnificent beauty, you will take a unique boat trip. You will glide along the poetic Son River.
Entering the cave, the cool air feels pleasant, especially in summer. The temperature is only 18-22°C, making you feel relaxed. Traveling on the underground river, you will see stunning natural beauty. Indeed, reigning as the “Primal Cavern,” Phong Nha unveils a subterranean realm where Bi Ky, Co Tien, and Cung Dinh Caves act as portals to a shimmering universe. Venturing into these subterranean realms reveals a breathtaking spectacle: eons have painted mineral deposits into a vibrant mosaic of stalactites and stalagmites, an exquisite masterpiece born of nature’s artistry
Experiencing this natural wonder within Phong Nha Cave requires an entry fee of 150,000 VND, (or roughly $6) per individual. For a navigable exploration of its watery passages, a boat charter costs 550,000 VND (around $19) per vessel, accommodating up to a dozen explorers. For larger entourages, a private vessel can be secured, while solo adventurers or smaller parties can readily partake in the shared camaraderie of a boat journey.
Tien Son Cave
Perched atop a 200-meter eminence, gazing down upon its aquatic counterpart, Phong Nha Cave, lies Tien Son Cave – an arid marvel sculpted by the very breath of the earth. This geological sibling, a dry cavern stretching 980 meters in length, stands as an impressive testament to nature’s artistry, forming an unforgettable duo with its water-bound twin below. It is a great place to visit after exploring the water cave of Phong Nha. Entering Tien Son Cave feels less like a simple act of exploration and more like stepping across an invisible boundary into a domain seemingly woven. Every corner is a sculpture of nature. It has a magical and surprising beauty. From sparkling stalactites to countless shapes of rocks, every detail captivates you.
Should Phong Nha be envisioned as an enigmatic underwater dominion, ruled by the silent currents and hidden depths, then Tien Son ascends as its celestial counterpart, a resplendent palace suspended in the airy embrace of the heavens.
Explore Paradise Cave
Conquer the 1.2km wooden walkway. Paradise Cave hides underground in Bo Trach district, Quang Binh. People call it an “underground palace” – one of the most magnificent and magical wonders in the world. You’ll find it roughly 4 kilometers off the western stretch of the Ho Chi Minh Road, specifically around the 16km marker, and it’s a manageable 20-kilometer jaunt from Phong Nha Cave.
Located within a limestone mountain range at an altitude of 191m, surrounded by the primeval forest of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Paradise Cave is considered the longest dry cave in Asia. It stretches up to 31.4 km. The cave is 30 to 100m wide. The widest part reaches 150m. The height from floor to ceiling reaches approximately 60 meters.
Upon entering Paradise Cave, visitors are invariably struck by the sheer number and diverse shapes of its stalactites, earning them poetic names from explorers. Notably, inside Thach Hoa Vien Palace, delicate stalactites hang like a natural sculpture of the Madonna and Child. Further within lies Giao Tri Palace, envisioned as the Jade Emperor’s realm, flanked by formations resembling unicorns and phoenixes.
All of this creates a magical and sparkling space. In contrast to Phong Nha Cave, Paradise Cave boasts a richer tapestry of stalactite forms, offering visitors an unparalleled sensory journey.
Dark Cave Phong Nha
The 1990s saw the British Royal Cave Expedition unearth this notable geological feature. Its opening presents substantial dimensions, measuring 20 meters in width and reaching a height of 40 meters. It opens into a magnificent inner world. The nature of Dark Cave is exceptional in that it merges the elements of a water cave with those of a dry cave. With a remarkable length of 5,258m, its height also commands attention at 80m. Its name comes from the pitch-black darkness inside. Light seems to disappear, creating a nearly tangible darkness.
Hidden along a poetic river, Dark Cave has a wild and charming beauty. High humidity has allowed moss to cover everything. This gives the stalactites a unique green color. While Phong Nha and Paradise Caves offer curated experiences, Dark Cave stands apart by retaining its natural, rugged state. It has no artificial lighting.
You can conquer a 1 km-long wooden staircase. Then, explore the cave yourself with the faint light from a headlamp. For an adventurous start, propel yourself on a zipline into the Dark Cave’s opening. Enjoy a cool swim in the Chay River and many fun sports activities.
En Cave
En Cave is a geological masterpiece in Phong Nha. It has an impressive length of 1,645 meters. It runs through a majestic mountain. This cave stands out with its 3 unique entrances: 1 halfway up the mountain and 2 at the foot. This structure makes En Cave unique compared to other famous caves in Vietnam.
The emerald river possesses an air of seclusion, a world unto itself. Above, natural skylights carved into the cave’s apex cast luminous beams, conjuring a dazzling, almost enchanted ambiance. The cave’s vast overhead expanse features natural rock recesses, each a haven for countless stalactites sculpted into a stunning variety of complex shapes. Within these formations, tens of thousands of swallows and bats find their sanctuary. This is why the cave is named En (Swallow), a unique feature.
This trekking route is very challenging. The total distance is nearly 25km. This includes over 10km of steep uphill and downhill climbs of over 500m. There is also over 10km of stream wading and forest trekking. The high difficulty requires good health and trekking experience. It is not safe to go alone.
Mooc Spring: Where Nature is Pure
Mooc Spring is an attractive eco-tourism spot. Nestled approximately 10 kilometers to the west of the main Phong Nha tourist hub, along the Ho Chi Minh Road’s western artery, lies this destination. Alternatively, it’s reachable from the Khe Gat intersection on the Ho Chi Minh Road’s eastern branch. For a more scenic approach, visitors can opt for a boat journey upstream on the Son River, subsequently navigating roughly 6 kilometers along the Chay River to arrive at the spring.
Mooc Spring differs from other tourist spots with its wild and pure beauty. This place offers interesting surprises. It has poetic scenery, mountains and water in harmony, and fresh air. Mooc Spring is ideal for relaxing. You can enjoy activities like kayaking, swimming, and rope swinging.
Thuy Cung Cave (Water Palace Cave)
Thuy Cubg Cave features a gentle, feminine emerald green stream. Initially, it was called Green Water Cave. This was due to its unique color and the mysterious stories surrounding it. The strange green water, with an unknown origin, always attracts the curiosity of exploration teams.
From Thuy Cung Cave, the clear water flows gently along the Tien stream to Lan Cave. Then, it calmly flows out to Dark Cave. The deeper you go into the cave, the more enchanted you become by the magical underwater scene. Colorful stalactites sparkle, creating mysterious lines. Echoes resonate in the vast space, creating a captivating sound.
Tu Lan Cave System
Encompassing a remarkable network of over ten noteworthy caverns, the Tu Lan Cave System presents itself as a distinctive point of interest for travelers. Its exploration and unveiling have been a gradual process, commencing in 1992 and extending through to the present day. It includes caves like Water Cave, Dry Cave, and especially Rat Cave.
Rat Cave was chosen as the setting for Kong’s house in a US blockbuster movie. It was also a main filming location for the movie “The Immortal.” This confirms the majestic and mysterious beauty of this cave system.
Tam Co Cave (Eight Ladies Cave)
Hidden within the Phong Nha-Ke Bang complex, Tam Co Cave is a spiritual tourist spot. It attracts visitors and locals alike. Here, visitors light incense and pay tribute to heroes and youth volunteers. They sacrificed themselves during the anti-American resistance war.
Guides at the site share stories of the noble sacrifices of young people during the war. This evokes gratitude and national pride. Currently, Tam Co Cave offers free admission. This makes it easy for visitors to explore and remember the nation’s heroic history.
Wind Waterfall – Botanical Garden
Hidden at km 9 of Road 20 Quyet Thang, the Phong Nha-Ke Bang Botanical Garden is an ideal stop for nature lovers. The road leading here was once a legendary route during the anti-American war. Following this stage, the passage advances to the Tra Ang Bridge, and beyond it lies the alluring Tam Co Cave.
Here, you will explore the rich ecosystem of the old forest. You can admire rare flora and fauna displayed in the exhibition house. This place promises interesting experiences for visitors who love climbing and exploring the wild beauty of nature.
Cha Loi Cave
Here, majestic nature and wild beauty blend together. Cha Loi Cave, a new destination in Quang Binh, will offer you unforgettable experiences.Located 45km southwest of Dong Hoi city, this large cave is a top attraction in Quang Binh. Come to Cha Loi Cave and discover the wonders that nature bestows!
Exploring Cha Loi Cave is not just about conquering a fascinating landmark. You’ll also find this to be an opportunity to connect with the local culture at the Long Dai ferry and the A72 station, and to observe the daily life of the Bru-Van Kieu people. The romantic love valley is an ideal camping spot. Cool, clear streams offer wonderful moments of relaxation.
5. What to eat?
Beyond the stunning landscapes, a taste of the region’s authentic, hearty cuisine is an absolute must. Local culinary highlights often feature the bounty of the Son River. Think succulent carp, tender silver carp, flavorful catfish, sweet river shrimp, and notably, the exceptionally delicious local eel. From the clear streams come delights like perfectly grilled fish and impressively large grilled river prawns.
Venturing into the Phong Nha mountains yields unique flavors such as savory deer meat, rich wild boar, tender goat, crisp forest bamboo shoots, slightly tart wild bananas, and the intriguing pickled sour forest taro. For those looking to explore these local tastes, establishments like Son Doong Restaurant, Vung Hue Restaurant, Huong Giang Restaurant, Thu Ha Restaurant, Phuong Nam Restaurant, Co Phuong Restaurant, Dark Cave Restaurant, and Mooc Spring Restaurant come highly recommended.
Furthermore, a visit to Dong Hoi, Quang Binh, wouldn’t be complete without indulging in its own set of local specialties. Be sure to try the comforting Chao Canh (a distinctive thick noodle soup), the creamy Chao Hau (oyster porridge), the delicate Banh Loc (clear shrimp and pork dumplings), the soft Banh Nam (flat rice dumplings), the incredibly fresh seafood, the flavorful hot pot with taro fish, and the surprisingly tasty sea snake dishes.
In conclusion, Phong Nha-Ke Bang offers an unparalleled adventure, where the optimal visiting window from November to August unveils a realm of magnificent caves and captivating natural beauty. By planning strategically, considering transportation options, and selecting suitable accommodations, travelers can immerse themselves in the raw splendor and unique experiences that this extraordinary Vietnamese destination so richly provides.