Phong Nha is such a unique place to explore in Vietnam. The caves here are what put the town on the map — some of the largest in the world — and they’ve become the main draw for tourism. The town itself is quiet and easy to get around, but it still feels like an adventure. In this guide, we’re sharing everything we learned, including how to get there, when to go, and what to do while you’re there.

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Where is Phong Nha?

Where is Phong Nha?

Phong Nha is a small village in central Vietnam, located near the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh Province. It's best known for its massive cave systems (like Son Doong), jungle-covered karst mountains, and laid-back atmosphere. The area is rural, with one main road through town and a growing number of guesthouses, cafes, and tour operators serving travelers.

Getting to Phong Nha

Phong Nha doesn’t have an airport or train station, but it’s easy to reach via nearby Dong Hoi, a city about 45 minutes away. Dong Hoi has a small airport (VDH) with daily flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as a train station on the north–south Reunification Express line.

From Dong Hoi, you can take a shuttle, taxi, or pre-arranged transfer to Phong Nha. Many guesthouses and hostels offer pickup services. If you're coming from further away, night buses from Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Hue, or Da Nang are also common options.

When to visit

January to March

Temperatures range from 16–24°C (60–75°F), with January being the coolest month of the year. Humidity is moderate, usually around 80%, but still manageable.

Expect occasional light rain and fresh, cool mornings and evenings. This is a slower season for tourism (aside from the Tet holiday in February), so it’s a perfect time to visit if you prefer fewer crowds.

April to May

Although tourism begins to pick up in April, spring is one of the best times to visit Phong Nha. Temperatures range from 28–34°C (82–93°F), with humidity staying between 75–85%. Rain is minimal, and skies are generally clear. It’s hot, but great for outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, and cave exploration.

June to August

Summer is peak season for tourism, and you can expect hot, humid conditions with highs of 32–38°C (90–100°F) and humidity above 85%. Midday heat can be intense, but mornings and evenings are more manageable.

How long to stay

Plan on spending two to three days in Phong Nha. That’s enough time to visit a few caves on day tours, bike around, and get a feel for the town.

If you’re doing a multi-day trekking tour with Oxalis Adventure, book it in advance and plan the rest of your stay around the tour dates.

Where to stay

Phong Nha has fantastic farm stays throughout the area. Check out our list of lodging suggestions in the area here.

Best activities

Cave tours

Multi-day, overnight, and day tours

Phong Nha is famous for the caves in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. You can explore them on guided tours with Oxalis Adventure, but be warned – their tours book out far in advance. They’re most known for their tour of Son Doong, where you get to trek through world’s largest cave!

Paradise and Dark Cave

This tour typically books out one to two days in advance. Here you’ll have the chance to walk through the jungle, check out massive stalactites in Paradise Cave, kayak, zipline, and take a mud bath in Dark Cave! These tour arrangements can be made at the Commander Lodge and Chày Lập Farmstay.

Phong Nha Cave and Paradise Cave

This is the most relaxing, yet still adventurous, tour offered in Phong Nha, and it doesn’t require booking ahead of time. Arrange the tour at the Commander Lodge or go straight to the Phong Nha Boat Station to start the tour.

It starts with a scenic boat ride into Phong Nha Cave, includes lunch, and wraps up with a walk through Paradise Cave.

The Duck Stop

Located a short drive from downtown Phong Nha, The Duck Stop offers a quirky, hands-on farm experience. You can become a “duck leader,” feed the ducks, ride a water buffalo, and get a glimpse of rural Vietnamese life.

Phong Nha Botanical Garden

Although there are guided tour options available, we love that the botanical gardens here are part of the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park that you can explore by yourself. There is an entry fee, which gives you access to a 3 km (1.5 miles) loop through the jungle, past a small animal rescue center, and to Gio Waterfall and a natural swimming pool. Wear sturdy shoes – the trail to the falls is steep and slippery.

Market

Check out Phong Nha’s traditional market near the Phong Nha-Ke Bang Tourist Center. It’s most active between 6:00 and 9:00 a.m. Bring small bills.

Bike

We spent most of our free time biking around Phong Nha using bikes provided by our lodging (The Commander Lodge). The roads are flat and quiet, and once you're outside of town, you'll ride past rice fields and jungle with dramatic karst mountains in the background. Be sure to bring water, a hat, and sunscreen — it gets hot quickly.

Rent a motorbike

Motorbike rentals are widely available in Phong Nha and a convenient way to explore the area on your own. There are rental shops in town and the quiet roads outside of town are great areas for beginners to ride.

You will need an international driver's license to rent one, and if you’re going on a tour with Oxalis Adventure, they advised us NOT to rent motorbikes before leaving on the tour, just in case of accidents.

What to pack

Check out our packing list for Vietnam here. It’s got info for every season!

Where to go next

Northern Vietnam

We loved our time in northern Vietnam and would happily spend our entire trip there if we returned. For an adventure, consider riding the Hà Giang Loop by motorbike. If you prefer a slower pace, visit Ninh Bình or Hạ Long Bay. End your trip in Hanoi and fly out from there.

Southern Vietnam

If you’re chasing warmer (and more humid) weather, head south. Make a quick stop in Huế for its rich history, unwind in Đà Nẵng, or explore Hội An’s lantern-lit night market. From this region, wrap up your trip by flying out of Ho Chi Minh City.