Experiences in Phong Nha
- 01
Dark Cave
A cave of about 5 km upstream on the Son River, usually visited as a half-day adventure with a licensed operator, in dim light and wet conditions.
- Time needed
- Half a day with an operator, including transfers
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- Dry months, February to April; closed or limited in the rains
- Tickets
- Visit with a licensed operator. Wikivoyage lists opening hours of 07:30 to 16:00 and a package price; prices and activities change, so confirm what is included with the operator.
- 02
Hang Én Cave
One of the world's largest caves, reached by a jungle trek and usually visited on a two-day guided trip with camping inside the cave.
- Time needed
- Two days on a guided trip
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- Dry season; tours may be limited or unavailable in the wet months
- Tickets
- Visit only on a guided trip. Oxalis Adventure Tours lists a two-day Hang Én tour with camping, graded moderate; check the current price, season and requirements on its site.
- 03
Sơn Đoòng Cave
The world's largest known cave passage by volume, found by a local man and surveyed by British cavers. Visits are multi-day expeditions run only by one operator.
- Time needed
- Several days on an organised expedition
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- January to August, when permits are issued; closed from September to December
- Tickets
- Permits are limited and the only authorised operator is Oxalis Adventure Tours. Prices have changed over the years and are high; check the current expedition cost, dates and requirements on the operator's site.
- 04
Tu Lan Caves
A system of caves, streams and jungle reached on guided trips of one to five days, with easy family-friendly day options as well as longer expeditions.
- Time needed
- One day for the easy outing; two to five days for longer trips
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- Dry months; limited or no trips in the wet season
- Tickets
- Visit only on guided tours. Oxalis lists a one-day Tu Lan Experience and a one-day family version rated easy, as well as longer trips; check the current prices, season and requirements before booking.
Landmarks in Phong Nha
- 05
Paradise Cave
A dry cave about 31 km long, opened to tourists in 2010, with a boardwalk through a huge chamber of limestone columns. A long staircase is the price of entry.
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 hours including the walk from the car park
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Early morning on a dry day, February to April
- Tickets
- Tickets are bought at the cave entrance; a separate cart ticket may be sold for the approach road. Wikivoyage lists several prices over time, so check the current rate on arrival.
- 06
Phong Nha Cave
The cave that gave the park its name, entered by boat along the Son River and then explored on the water beneath large chambers of stalactites and stalagmites.
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 hours including the boat transfer and waiting
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning, February to April; river levels can close the cave after heavy rain
- Tickets
- Entry and boat hire are bought at the tourist centre in Phong Nha. Wikivoyage lists a separate entrance fee and a per-boat charge shared by up to 12 people; prices change, so confirm current rates on site.
- 07
Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park
The UNESCO World Heritage karst park that holds the region's caves. It is the setting for every sight on this page, and the landscape alone justifies the drive.
- Time needed
- Two days covers the main accessible sights
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- February to April; avoid September to November
- Tickets
- Tickets are sold per site, mostly at the tourist centre in Phong Nha or at the site itself. Prices change; check the current rates and what each ticket includes.
Neighbourhoods in Phong Nha
- 08
Phong Nha township
The small riverside base for the national park, with rice fields, a boat dock, hotels and cafés. It is quiet in the evening and best for a slow walk.
- Time needed
- An evening or morning walk; you will pass through anyway
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning and evening, February to April
- Tickets
- No entry fee. Tickets for the caves and boats are sold at the tourist centre in the township.
Day trips in Phong Nha
- 09
Tam Tòa Church ruins
The ruined bell tower and walls of a Catholic church in Đồng Hới, destroyed in 1965 during the Vietnam War, now a landmark of the war's damage.
- Time needed
- 20 to 40 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning or late afternoon, February to April
- Tickets
- Check the current access rules on site. The church's ownership has been disputed, so rules about entry and photography can change.
