Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Quảng Bình province, 50 km north of Dong Hoi and around 450 km south of Hanoi. The park protects one of the world's two largest karst regions, containing over 300 caves and grottoes, along with the limestone forest ecosystem of the Annamite Range. The core zone covers 857.54 km² with a buffer zone of 1,954 km². In April 2009, the world's largest cave, Son Doong, was discovered here by a team from the British Caving Association.

The plateau is among the finest examples of a complex karst landform in Southeast Asia. Phong Nha town, on the edge of the park just off the main highway, has grown significantly since the caves were discovered and offers most of the accommodation, restaurants, and travel services.

The climate is tropically hot and humid, with an annual mean temperature of 23–25°C. The hottest months are June to August (average 28°C), while December to February are coolest (average 18°C). Annual rainfall is 2,000–2,500 mm, with 88% falling from July to December. No month is entirely dry, with over 160 rainy days per year and humidity averaging 84%. The rainy season from September to December limits some cave tours.

By Plane

The nearest airport is Dong Hoi Airport (VDH IATA), 50 km south. Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, and Pacific Airlines fly from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. From Dong Hoi, take a taxi or local bus to Phong Nha.

By Train

Dong Hoi Railway Station on the Reunification Express line has daily arrivals and departures from Hanoi, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City. From the station, take a bus or taxi to the park.

By Car / Road

A local bus runs from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha for less than 40,000 dong, departing hourly — look for blue signs reading "Dong Hoi - Hoan Lao - Phong Nha" or "Dong Hoi - Phong Nha - Trooc". Sleeper buses with Hung Thanh Travel, Camel Travel, Queen Cafe, and DMZ make overnight journeys between Phong Nha and Hanoi, and early morning departures from Phong Nha to Hue with evening returns.

Motorbike rental is available from hotels in Dong Hoi (from 150,000 dong) or in Phong Nha itself for exploring the park. Tung Motorbikes (+84 915960481, [email protected], 44 Hoang Dieu, Nam Ly, Dong Hoi) offers serviced bikes with delivery. Taxis can be hired from Dong Hoi — the drive takes about 1 hour — but it is easier and more economical to book a transfer through your accommodation in Phong Nha.

• Phong Nha Cave and Tien Son Caves — The main attraction. Accessible only by boat (550,000 dong per boat for up to 12 people, 2024 prices). Entrance: 150,000 dong for Phong Nha, 80,000 dong for Tien Son. Features Xuyen Son Ho, a 300 m² underground lake discovered in 2012.

• Thien Duong Cave (Paradise Cave) — 70 km from Dong Hoi. Stunning, tastefully lit cave with 1.1 km of wooden pathways. 250,000 dong entry fee. Electric golf cart available to the stair base. 500+ stairs.

• Son Doong Cave — The world's largest cave. Only accessible via guided tour with Oxalis (US$3,000/person, 5 days/4 nights). Limited group sizes.

• Tu Lan and Hang En Caves — Oxalis-led cave treks ranging 1–4 days, from 5.5M dong. No trips during rainy season (September–December).

• Hang Toi (Dark Cave) — An adventure cave without electric lights. Kayak across the river, swim through with a headtorch. 450,000 dong. 07:30–16:00.

• Ruc Mon Cave — 17 km long, discovered in 2016. Potentially the second-largest cave in the world. Green Land Tours (+84 914 377 266) leads trips with the discoverer.

• Nuoc Mooc Spring Eco Trail — Bamboo bridges and paths along a river and rapids. 50,000 dong.

• Caving expeditions — the park's primary activity, with options from half-day boat tours to multi-day treks

• Bicycling along the rural roads and through the Bong Lai Valley

• Kayaking and swimming at designated points along the rivers

• Hiking and trekking through limestone forest and mountain terrain

• Phong Nha Caves Tour Center (+84 944561018, [email protected]) offers tailor-made group tours

• Vung Hue — The original restaurant in town, serving great Vietnamese food. Good for groups.
• Phong Nha Farmstay — Vietnamese and Western food, wood-fired pizzas, daily specials.
• Easy Tiger Hostel — Western food in a young, fun environment with live music.
• Capture Vietnam — Gourmet food and wood-fired pizzas, coffee, tea, wine, cocktails.
• Thang Nhung — Spit-roast pork, noodle dishes, pork banh mi, bun thit nuong.
• The Pub with Cold Beer — Farm-to-table chicken in Bong Lai Valley. Choose your chicken from out back.
• Moi Moi Restaurant — In Bong Lai Valley. Pork in Bamboo is a speciality.
• Gecko Restaurant — Vietnamese and Western dishes. 07:00–23:00. +84 232 3677168.
• Paradise Pizza and More — Best pizza and sandwiches in town. Free delivery. US$2–10. [email protected].

• The Pub with Cold Beer — All-day watering hole in Bong Lai Valley, fresh chicken, rural setting.
• Easy Tiger Hostel — 3 happy hours, draft beer, great crowd, the social centre of town.
• Bomb Crater Bar — Small bar on the river between Phong Nha and Bong Lai. Swim in the river. Halfway refreshment stop.
• Andy Bar & Disco — Opens at 23:00 when Easy Tiger closes. Music and booze. Free shuttle from Easy Tiger.
• Gecko Bar — Cocktails, late-night. Cycles Bar open late.

• Budget: Easy Tiger Hostel in Phong Nha town. 4-person dorms, pool, live music, happy hours. Same owners as Farmstay. Phong Nha town also has many budget guesthouses near the cave boat dock.
• Mid-range: Phong Nha Farmstay, Cu Nam Village, Bo Trach (+84 944759864). Australian-run, two-night minimum. Cave tours. US$45 and up. Phong Nha Lake House Resort, Khuongha, Hung Trach (+84). Near Phong Nha cave. Restaurant, transport from Dong Hoi for 400,000 dong.
• Upscale: Chay Lap Farmstay, Thon Chay (+84 93 248 88 39, [email protected]). Pre-approval required through package tour providers.

Shopping opportunities are limited within the park itself. Phong Nha town has small convenience stores and souvenir shops. For more extensive shopping, Dong Hoi (50 km south) has markets and supermarkets. Local handicrafts and cave-themed souvenirs are available at stalls near the main cave entrances.

• Dong Hoi — 50 km south. Provincial capital with beaches, restaurants, and the airport.
• Paradise Cave — 20 km further into the park. One of the most beautiful caves in the world.
• Hue — 210 km south (4 hours by bus). Imperial citadel, royal tombs, Perfume River.
• DMZ — 120 km south. Historic sites from the Vietnam War era.
• Hanoi — 450 km north (overnight bus or 1-hour flight). Vietnam's capital with Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, and centuries of history.