Why should you go to Phong Nha?
Have you ever been in awe, thinking, “Is this reality? Is this really my life?” This thought lasted all day when I was in Phong Nha, Vietnam, and I still think about it. It is truly one of my favorite spots in Vietnam, so let me tell you why.
My trip to Phong Nha was a spontaneous one. Someone had recommended it to me when I was in Hanoi and I figured “Why not go?”.
Why not indeed, my day in Phong Nha turned out to be the best day of my life.
As someone who had no expectations going into it, Phong Nha, Vietnam blew me away. This was not because of the beautiful scenery that matches Ninh Binh or the peaceful small town in the center (although these added to it). What had me screaming in pure joy was the amazing and unique activities that surrounded this town.
So let’s get into what cool activities make this place so amazing:
1. The Duck Stop in Phong Nha
Cost: 100k VND / 4 USD
Location Pin: here
This is probably the first thing you will hear about when you look up Phong Nha. The Duck Stop was an experience I never knew I needed but will forever think about.
You get the chance to be a duck leader, to walk around with a train of hundreds of little duck minions that are excited to climb all over you as you feed them. It’s actually a little intimidating at first but the ducks don’t hurt you at all.
It was such a wild experience, and I never thought it would be so fun. The smile on my face from my duckie friends lasted for about a week afterward.
After the whole duck leadership training, you get to try some crispy pancake spring rolls with peanut sauce. That’s the only way I can explain what they look like. They are savory crispy pancakes that you roll up in rice paper and dip in peanut sauce. It’s really tasty and quite filling.
For more information, you can read about my experience at The Duck Stop in detail here.
2. The Dark Cave in Phong Nha
Cost: 450k VDN / 18.30 USD
Location pin: here
This was terrifying but so unique. The Dark Cave is a guided tour through a large – and dark – cave. It starts with a zipline across the little river to give you a good view of the waterpark outside (spoiler alert, there is also a water park). The tour includes ziplining, kayaking, a tour of the cave, a natural mud bath, and some swimming. It has it all!
ps. The tour gives you life jackets, helmets, and headlamps to use so you won’t be going in unprepared.
We ended up spending a full 3-4 hours here just playing around, grabbing lunch, and enjoying the heat. The cave experience was a little freaky but I’m so glad I did it.
If you are interested in the full tour experience in detail, I have a second blog post going through each section of the tour here: The Dark Cave
3. The Botanical Gardens in Phong Nha
Cost: 40K VND / 2 USD
The Botanical Garden is a protected 40-hectare ecological area that displays the rich biodiversity of Phong Nha. It has walking trails, a small waterfall called Gio Waterfall, and a variety of plant and animal species native to the park. The garden is a beautiful collection of wildlife that you can enjoy while learning about Vietnam wildlife.
4. One-Day Motorbike Ride in Phong Nha
I fell in love with Phong Nha because of the sheer beauty around the city. The outskirts of the town are farmlands and sharp mountains. With the shape of the landscapes, the sun creates amazing patterns in the sky, and the roads are amazing to drive through.
If you don’t wish to do any of the activities mentioned above, I still think it’s worth it to drive through the roads that pass them. I connected them all to do an amazing circuit that left me in utter fascination and appreciation of the world and the landscapes unique to northern Vietnam.
The whole ride only takes about an hour to do, but with the stops mentioned above this is an all-day activity. Bring a lunch and lots of water!
Phong Nha Cave Tours
Now, I’m stemming away from the daytime activities in Phong Nha, and going more into the features that truly make this town special.
Phong Nha is home to the most extensive and impressive caving systems in the world. The caves have so much history and cultural significance, but it is the size of these caves that makes them a spectacle.
Hang Pygmy
The Hang Pygmy cave is the 4th largest cave in the world, with a massive entrance over 80 meters wide and 120 meters high!
Located in Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, this cave is a gem hidden in Vietnam. Most tours combine trekking, camping, and caving, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the natural surroundings of the jungle!
Here’s what a typical tour entails:
- Day 1: Trek through the lush jungle, enjoy river crossings, and set up camp near the cave entrance.
- Day 2: Explore the expansive chambers of Hang Pygmy, admire its stunning formations, and learn about its history from expert guides.
Where to Book a Hang Pygmy Tour
Several reputable adventure tour companies operate in the Phong Nha area. Consider these options:
- Oxalis Adventure: Known for its professional guides and well-organized tours.
- Jungle Boss: Offers a blend of eco-friendly trekking and caving adventures.
Both companies provide packages that include meals, camping gear, and safety equipment, ensuring a seamless experience.
Cost of Hang Pygmy Tours
Expect to pay between $250 and $300 USD per person for a two-day, one-night tour. The price typically includes permits, guides, meals, camping equipment, and transportation from Phong Nha town.
Hang Sơn Đoòng
Hang Sơn Đoòng Cave is famous for being the world’s largest cave. The cave even has its own weather system, creating misty, otherworldly atmospheres in certain chambers. It’s also located in Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park and is part of the same cave system that connects the Hang Pygmy cave. The tour is a 4-day trek and is regarded as one of the most exclusive and challenging cave tours in the world.
Where to Book a Hang Sơn Đoòng Tour
Oxalis Adventure is the only company licensed to operate tours to Hang Sơn Đoòng. Their professional team includes guides, porters, cooks, and safety experts to ensure a safe and memorable experience.
Cost of the Hang Sơn Đoòng Tour
A tour to Hang Sơn Đoòng costs approximately $3,000 USD per person, reflecting the exclusivity, logistical complexity, and conservation efforts involved. This fee includes permits, guides, meals, camping gear, and transportation to and from Phong Nha town. How long should you stay in Phong Nha?
How Long Should I Stay in Phong Nha, Vietnam?
I stayed here for one day and it was not enough time to be honest. I only did a fraction of all the things I was recommended to do here. I’d say you need maybe two full days here, and they will be PACKED days (not including any tours you choose to do).
Vietnam Extras
Accommodation in Phong Nha
If you are a solo or budget backpacker, I stayed in the Central Backpackers Hostel which I loved. They are the most popular hostel in the area, they offer free breakfast every day and social activities at night. They also offer tours to all the tourist highlights in the area so you don’t need to find your own way around.
Like me, if you want to do it all on your own, they also have motorbike or cycle rentals and maps for you to rent at your leisure.
I use hostel world and booking.com when looking for hostels or private rooms when I travel. Especially in Vietnam, it has proven to be the easiest and cheapest way for me to book my accommodations.
I have also been recommended to use Agoda by multiple people for hostel/hotel booking in Asia. It is a competitor app for travel booking so it has some amazing prices!
Sim Card
You can buy SIM cards at most airports, but e-sims are easier to get data in other countries. You can buy your plan before you go to any country, and you have data ready for you as soon as you land. Airalo is great for e-sims, it covers over 180 countries and is so easy to use!
Transportation
Grab is the “Uber” of Vietnam and can help you get around cities. If you are looking to book longer transportation trips between cities, or overnight trips 12GOasia is an easy app to use.
Vexere is also the local app for booking overnight buses between major cities. It’s half the price of booking transportation with hotels or hostels.
Conclusion
Phong Nha is a gem, and has many other gems within it! It’s a low-profile town hiding some of the most unique and exciting activities I have ever taken part in. Phong Nha, Vietnam will hold a place in my heart forever, and I hope you get the opportunity to experience it too.
I highly recommend making this place a stop on your Vietnam trip. Have safe travels!
About the Author
Hi, I’m Shannon. A small travel lover with a laptop.
I’m an avid plane rider and backpacker, currently traveling between lots of working days. This year I am making travel my #1 priority, and I plan to document it as much as I can.
