Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park
1. Overview of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park Viet Nam
Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park is around 40 km northwest of Dong Hoi airport, the distance from Hue to Phong Nha town is about 210 km, and road distances are about 500 km north of the capital Ha Noi, and 1097 km south of Ho Chi Minh City. The national park is located in a large limestone mountain area, a proper environment for plants and animals to thrive. Phong Nha Ke Bang is one of the unique and beautiful models, recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage site.
2. Why is it named Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park?
The name of this national park is the name of Phong Nha Cave and the name of the Ke Bang limestone mountain forest area. Phong Nha means Cave of the wind and teeth, but, unfortunately, the ‘teeth’ (or stalagmites) that were by the entrance are no longer there. Once you get further into the cave, it’s mostly unspoiled. In 1990 a British expedition explored 35km of the cave and made the first reliable map of the underground (and underwater) passageways. They discovered that the main cavern is nearly 8km long, with 14 other caves nearby.
3. The caves cannot missed when coming to Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park
3.1. Phong Nha Cave
Phong Nha Cave is the longest river cave in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. The cave is 28 km long, with a beautiful underground lake and an impressive stalagmite and stalactite system.
- Opening hours: 7:30 am – 5 pm
- Entrance fee: approximately 150.000 vnd ~ 6 USD, free for children under 1.3 meters tall.
- Boat to Phong Nha Cave fee: approximately 22USD per boat with life vests for 12 people including children, free for children under 1.3 meters tall
3.2. Tien Son Cave
Tien Son Cave is like a stalactite castle in a cave, stalactite and stalagmite systems create sounds like that of gong and drum if they are knocked with the hand. If Phong Nha Cave is a water cave, Tien Son Cave is a dry cave. Even though they are not interconnected, they are united in one system. Entrance fee: approximately 3-4 USD, free for children under 1.3 meters tall
3.3. Paradise Cave
Paradise Cave is one of the most famous of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, along with Son Doong Cave, Phong Nha Cave, and Dark Cave. Although quite far from Dong Hoi city about 64km, it still attracts thousands of tourists to visit its beauty, inside this cave, you can see a lot of stalactites and stalagmites with different shapes. The Paradise Cave entrance fee is 10 USD per person. The entrance fee paradise cave:
- Adults: approximately 10 USD per person
- Children (1.1 – 1.3m): approximately 5 USD per child
- Children under 1.1m: Free
3.4. Dark Cave, Chay River
The special thing here is almost all visitors need to use headlights or torches while going to Dark Cave. Inside Dark Cave, there are many stalactites with diverse shapes and colors. In addition, the dark Cave has stalactites with parasitic ferns that are difficult to find in other caves. Dark Cave also has sections of the underground river deep, a natural freshwater lake, and a muddy lake-wide with essential minerals good for health. Some interesting activities that you must do like the Chay River Zipline, kayaking on the Chay River, Explore the Dark Cave, Dark Cave mud bath, and swimming in Mooc Spring. You can freely have fun, and joke with friends and family here.
- Combo ticket:
Adults: approximately 10 – 18 USD;
children (tall 1.1 – 1.3m): approximately 4 – 6 USD (includes all the fun activities available) - Single ticket:
Adults: approximately 6 – 11 USD;
children (tall 1.1 – 1.3m): approximately 3 – 5 USD (only includes kayaking, swimming, and the Dark Cave Zipline)
Sitting in warm, soft mud in Dark Cave can relax the muscles and soothe the mind, which may provide some skin benefits.
3.5. Son Doong Cave – The World’s Largest Cave
Son Doong is the largest cave in Viet Nam caves about 38.5 million cubic meters and is the biggest natural cave in the world, of which scenery changes all the time, when river water flows through the limestone buried along a fault line. Water erosion and curettage as a giant tunnel under the mountains in the earth. In the soft places, the ceiling collapsed forming holes, hanging long into the giant arch. After years of preparation, visitors are excited when they finally explore Son Doong Cave. Exploring this natural wonder requires having good physical strength, as you will experience a combination of adventure sports such as trekking, wading, climbing, and kayaking.
You should wear pants, long sleeves, and running shoes to protect your arms and you need to prepare swimsuits and some necessary personal equipment for yourself.
3.6 En Cave – Third Largest Cave in the World
En is one of the largest and most beautiful caves in the world, the world’s 3rd largest cave. To see this cave involves a day trek through jungle and valleys, through a minority village, and then an overnight stay in the cave.
4. Best things to do in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park
4.1 Caving expeditions
You have to walk through the jungle and in the unlit cave you will swim, abseil and climb. There are dozens of caves where you can take such an adventurous expedition
4.2 Overnight adventures: Camping and caving
Camping and caving overnight offers an unparalleled opportunity for those who like an experience amidst nature. Spending the night within the heart of limestone formations, surrounded by the underground world.
4.3 Cycling and motorbike tours
For visitors who are passionate about exploration, experiencing it by bicycle or motorbike is something not to be missed. The landscape around the national park is some of the most sublime. Cycling through the rice fields, and villages and meeting local people, seeing their daily lives, tasty local food. On the way, you can stop anywhere to take beautiful pictures or have conversations with some hospitable people here. Explore the diversity of rare landscapes and wildlife of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
4.4 Water activities
The park has small rivers where various activities are possible, such as kayaking, swimming, floating bounce island, and zip lines above the river
5. How to get to Phong Nha -Ke Bang National Park?
To get to the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, there are several means of transportation for visitors to choose from:
- Motorbike: it takes around an hour to travel 45 km from the city center of Dong Hoi to get to the National Park.
- Private Car: for visitors travel in a group, choosing a car will be better. It just takes 45 – 50 minutes from Dong Hoi Airport or Station to get to the National Park.
If you have plan visit Vietnam, you can connect from Hue to Phong Nha Ke Bang or from Hoi An. Huracars also offer privater car between these destinations:
- Transfer from Hue to Phong Nha
- Transfer from Hoi An to Phong Nha
- Transfer Dong Hoi to Phong Nha
- Bus: As the bus will make several stops along the way, a trip to the National Park will take about 65 – 70 minutes.
| What is the best way to Phong Nha Ke Bang? You can find more tips here: 3 ways to get to Phong Nha from Hoi An |
6. Frequently asked questions about Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park
6.1. What are the opening hours of the national park?
The National Park opens to visitors from 7:30 AM to 5 PM. but you should come to each site before 16:00, so you have enough time for visiting
6.2 What is the weather in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park?
Phong Nha-Ke Bang experiences two seasons: dry and rainy. The hottest between June and August and the coldest from December to February.
Rainy season from late September to early December, it does not rain the whole day like Hue weather but in this time, the water level is high and may flood. Please consider staying at Phong Nha at this time
6.3 When is the best time to visit?
You can visit between Dec and April, and June to Aug when the weather is cool and there is no flooding.
the best time is summer, you and your family can swim in Son River or join activities at Mooc Spring, Dark Cave. Enjoy fresh and cool water in Phong Nha
6.4. How much is the ticket price to enter the national park?
- Adults: approximately 6 – 10 USD (update 2024 – you can see more: the last update for Phong Nha Entrance tickets)
- Children under 1.3 meters: approximately 3 – 7 USD
- Boat fee: approximately 15 USD per boat, which can accommodate up to 12 passengers including children, and is equipped with life vests. If you travel solo or small group 1-5 people, you can buy a single ticket and share it with other travelers, it costs 60.000 vnd ~ 3 usd/person
6.5. Is it possible to take photos or film inside the caves?
Visitors can take photos and film during their exploration of the caves in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. There are many designated rest areas, with wooden floors and proper lighting.