VN · Quang Tri · 17.54°N 106.15°E
phong nha-ke bang
Cave country: Paradise Cave, underground rivers and jungle karst.
- Best time
- February to August is mostly dry and the best time for caving. From about September to November, heavy rain and floods can close caves and boat trips.
- How long
- 2–3 days
- Getting there
- Fly KL to Da Nang (about 2.5 hours), then about 4–5 hours by road or train to Dong Hoi. Dong Hoi also has domestic flights from Hanoi and Saigon. Phong Nha town is about 45 minutes from Dong Hoi.
phong nha-ke bang
Dear group chat,Cave country: Paradise Cave, underground rivers and jungle karst.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingPhong Nha-Ke BangVN, Quang Tri
Photo: Genghiskhanviet · Public domain Photo: [Tycho] talk , http://shansov.net · CC BY-SA 3.0 Photo: The original uploader was BacLuong at Vietnamese Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 3.0 Photo: Genghiskhanviet · Public domain Photo: Genghiskhanviet · Public domain
Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.
A national park and UNESCO World Heritage site in central Vietnam, protecting one of the world's two largest karst regions and about 300 caves. It's home to Son Doong, thought to be the largest cave in the world, but most visitors explore the easier caves by boat and boardwalk. The small town of Phong Nha is the base.
Makan
- Cháo canhA thick noodle soup, often made with fish, the local breakfast in this part of central Vietnam.Map ↗
Things to do
- Phong Nha CaveTake a boat along the river and right into the cave.Map ↗
- Paradise CaveA long boardwalk through huge chambers of stalactites.Map ↗
- Dark CaveZipline to the entrance, wade through a mud pool inside, then kayak back.Map ↗
- Overnight caving treksLicensed operators run trips to caves like Hang En, camping in the cave or the jungle.Map ↗
- Son DoongMulti-day expeditions into the world's biggest cave. Places are very limited and book out far ahead.Map ↗
Good to know
- Wild caves can only be visited with licensed tour operators. Don't go in on your own.
- Wear shoes with grip and bring a change of clothes for the wet, muddy caves.
- In the rainy season, check which caves are open before you travel.
Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.