Are you visiting Vietnam soon? Then you definitely cannot miss Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. This place looks like a completely different world with its hiking trails, the world’s largest caves, underground rivers with calm waters ideal for kayaking, and mountains full of vegetation.
Organizing your visit can be a hard task so I have prepared this complete tourist guide that will allow you to relax and enjoy all of the wonders this UNESCO World Heritage Site has to offer. I will share with you the best ways to get to the park and everything you can’t miss when you get there.
Where is Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park?
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is located in North-Central Vietnam in Quan Binh Province, between Hanoi and Hue. The nearest city is Dong Hoi, about 45 km west.
How to get to the park?
You have a lot of options to get to Phong Nha-Khe Bang National Park. The nearest city is Dong Hoi. You need to first get there and then reach the park by taxi, motorbike, public bus or a rented car. Find out here the perfect way for your trip:
Travel by plane
The most comfortable way to get to the National Park is by flight. Every day, there are domestic flights to Dong Hoi Airport from Hanoi, in the north, and Ho Chi Minh City, in the south, they last no more than 2 hours.
From the airport you can reach the park in a public bus that takes around 1.5 hours. It costs around 50 thousand dong, (2 dollars or 1.82 euro) and it runs every hour from 6am to 5pm. You can also use a taxi or arrange a shuttle with your accommodation.
Travel by train
The nearest train station is also in Dong Hoi. The city is part of the Reunification Express line that runs from Hanoi to Saigon so there are many trains that stop there during the day. There are train connections from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Leaving from Haoi, you have almost 12 hours of ride whereas from Ho Chi Minh City they are between 22 and 24 hours.
If you travel from Hanoi the cost ranges between 400k (16.08 USD or 14.55 Euro) and 850k (34.17 USD or 30.92 Eur) dong. From Ho Chi Minh City the cost goes from 700k dong (28.14 USD or 25.46 Eur) to 1200k dong (48.24 USD or 43.65 Euro).
The train station is around 1.5 km from Dong Hoi Bus Station if you want to take the public bus to get to Phong Nha center.
Travel by bus
Buses also depart from Hanoi, Hue, Da Nang, Da Lat and other places. From Hanoi, the bus trip takes around 8 to 10 hours. The buses go directly to Phong Nha without having to stop in Dong Hoi first. The cost ranges from 300k (12.06 USD or 10.92 Euro) to 600k (24.12 USD or 21.84 Euro) dong.
Must see in the park
Son Doong Cave
Son Doong is the biggest cave in Vietnam and also the largest in the planet. It is 9 km long and was found in 1990. This amazing place also has an incredible ecosystem with an internal fast-flowing river. You will find incredible chambers and get the chance to explore.
Paradise cave
This is one of the most famous and beautiful caves to visit. It has many stalactites and stalagmites. You will find tours that take you to discover this place that makes you feel like you are on a different planet.
Nuoc Mooc Trail
Nuoc Mooc Trail is one of the best attractions in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and even in the whole country. Here you will be surrounded by beautiful lagoons and rivers. If you do the hike, you will walk along the Mooc Spring surrounded by bamboo bridges and a beautiful orchid garden.
I recommend going kayaking, swimming or just relaxing in the spring. It is extremely calm and peaceful so you will surely have an amazing time, especially if you go during the summer.
Phong Nha Botanic Garden
Here you will find a beautiful landscape with a forest and waterfall that falls into a natural swimming pool. This is a lovely place if you enjoy walking in peaceful scenery and it also gives you the chance to see many of the animals that inhabit the area.
If you are planning a trip to Vietnam it is possible you need a visa. Find out here the requirements for a eVisa!
