Explore Son Doong Cave in Vietnam, the Largest in the World
After thousands of years of geological transformation, nature created magnificent masterpieces in the Phong Nha—Ke…
Phong Nha
Enter the fairyland on the earth with plenty of dreamy caves in limestone mountains.
Overview of Phong Nha
Phong Nha is a small town located within the pristine tropical forest reserve of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh province – the narrowest strip of land in the Central region, 50 km northwest of Dong Hoi City.
This destination is renowned for its stunning cave complex, formed within limestone mountains over millions of years. You can enter Thiên Đường Cave and feel like you’re getting lost in a maze of paradise on earth. Follow the calm, clear Sơn River through the narrow passage to explore Phong Nha Cave with its mysterious underground river, or admire the colorful Tiên Sơn Cave. The region is also world-famous for Sơn Đoòng Cave, which contains a whole green forest within its interior.
Coming to Phong Nha, you will feel as though you have entered a magical world between reality and fantasy, a fairy tale world of caves and primeval forests.
Gallery
The photos in this second gallery from Oxalis Adventure – thank you!
Top Things to Do in Phong Nha
When coming to Phong Nha, you must:
Explore Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park
In addition to the majestic caves, the National Park is also a vast world of biodiversity, featuring enormous primeval forests, the gentle Son River winding through limestone valleys, and a diverse array of rare flora and fauna. You can immerse yourself in the green space, breathe the fresh air, or join eco-tours to learn more about the strictly preserved flora and fauna or geology here.
Explore Phong Nha Cave & Tien Son Cave
The gentle Son River, crystal clear to the bottom, takes you gently into the heart of the mountain, entering the majestic Phong Nha Cave (Wet Cave). A world of stalactites of all shapes and sizes, sparkling under the lights, will open up, taking you to a fairyland. Nearby is Tien Son Cave – a dry cave with the pristine, magical beauty of stalactites, likened to a paradise. Experiencing the cool water, listening to the sound as it moves through the opening space of the caves, and admiring the natural masterpiece are must-do things here.
Conquer Thien Duong Cave
Known as the “Underground Palace,” Thien Duong Cave boasts magnificent beauty, featuring ample space and a system of incredible stalactites. Stepping in here, you will be overwhelmed by the stalactite “forests” and limestone “terraced fields” and feel the surprisingly fresh and cool air.
Experience Dark Cave
For adventurous souls! You will zipline across the river, swim into the cave in complete darkness (with a headlamp), then soak in a natural mineral mud pool, bathe in cool streams, and kayak. This is a “one-of-a-kind” experience to challenge yourself and immerse yourself entirely in the wild nature.
Cycling, kayaking on the Son River, and exploring the countryside
Ride along the peaceful village roads nestled next to the deep green mountains and admire the lush green rice fields or the golden yellow rice fields in season. Kayak on the poetic Son River to experience the slow pace of life, come close to nature and live with the local people.
Enjoy local cuisine
Phong Nha cuisine is rustic and simple yet incredibly unique, crafted from local mountain and river products. Don’t forget to try the warm Quang Binh noodles (Cháo Canh), fragrant grilled stream fish, or local banh loc and banh nam. Each dish not only satisfies the taste buds but also tells the story of a simple local life close to nature.
Phong Nha Weather
Phong Nha has a tropical monsoon climate with two distinct seasons, each season bringing a different beauty and experience:
Dry season (around April to August): This is the ideal time to explore the caves. The weather is sunny, dry, and quite hot, especially in June and July. However, this duration creates favorable conditions for outdoor activities, such as trekking and cave exploration, because the roads will be dry. The underground rivers with pleasant cool water will be at a low level, allowing for easy movement inside caves. Prepare hats, caps, sunscreen, and cool clothes.
Rainy season (around September to March of the following year): This season often has a lot of rain, especially in October and November. Some caves may be closed due to high water levels or unsafe conditions. However, the rainy season also brings Phong Nha a unique beauty: lush green mountains and forests, fresh air, and sometimes you can even see the misty clouds on the limestone peaks, creating a magical scene. If you come during this season, check the information about cave tours in advance and prepare raincoats, umbrellas, and non-slip shoes.
The ideal time to visit Phong Nha is at the beginning of the dry season (around April to May) when the weather is still cool, sunny, and suitable for outdoor activities. The end of the dry season (late August) is also a beautiful time when the rain has not started, and the natural scenery is still brilliant and green.
In particular, if you want to join long trekking tours in the forest to explore Son Doong Cave – the largest cave in the world – please note: this journey is only organized by specialized units and only takes place from January to the end of August every year.
Phong Nha Transportation
Traveling to and within the Phong Nha area is quite convenient:
Getting to Phong Nha:
Airplane: Dong Hoi Airport (VDH) is the main gateway, about 45 km from Phong Nha Town Center. There are flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. From the airport, you can take a taxi or private car to your hotel.
Train: Dong Hoi Station is the stop for North-South trains. From the station, you can take a taxi or book a private car service with a professional driver to get to your homestay or hotel in Phong Nha.
Coach: There are many coach companies from Hanoi, Da Nang, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City, and Dong Hoi. From Dong Hoi, you can continue by taxi to Phong Nha. While this option is more budget-friendly, it does take longer compared to other forms of transportation.
Private car: Many tourists use a private vehicle to transfer directly from their hotels in Hoi An, Da Nang, or Hue City to accommodations in Phong Nha for added convenience.
Getting around the Phong Nha area:
Bicycle: Great for exploring the peaceful village roads, close to nature and local people. Pay attention to the distance to plan your cycling to avoid overexertion.
Rent a private car with a driver: Suitable for large groups or those who want maximum convenience and comfort when traveling between distant attractions or going on a day trip.
Motorbikes: This vehicle is a popular and flexible means of transport, especially convenient for Vietnamese tourists when exploring nearby places such as Phong Nha Cave, Mooc Stream, or surrounding villages. For international tourists unfamiliar with local traffic or without a valid driver’s license, it is advisable to choose a more suitable means of transport to ensure safety and a complete experience.
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