Phong Nha is one of the last places on Earth still to be fully discovered. This place is not just a beautiful remote town in Vietnam, it is a different world in itself and it invites you to be a part of it. The fact that the Phong Nha cave system is home to the largest cave in the world – Son Doong Cave – attracts passionate adventurers from all over the world.

Below we have listed ways to get to Phong Nha from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Ninh Binh, Ha Long, Hue, Da Nang and some important things to know to help you when taking a trip to this little city!

I. HOW TO GET TO PHONG NHA?

The popularity of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park has skyrocketed in recent times, making traveling to Phong Nha much easier than before.

1. TRAVEL BY PLANE

Air travel is the fastest way to travel if you are traveling from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. With less than a two-hour flight, Dong Hoi City is just a stone's throw away. Note that if you choose to fly, then you will need to book a transfer from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha.

If you arrive in Saigon, you will need to take another flight to Dong Hoi Airport to reach Phong Nha. To get to Phong Nha from Hanoi, you can take a plane, bus or train. From Da Nang, you can take a bus or train. Please continue reading below for more details on domestic travel.

Hanoi to/from Phong Nha:

Of course, the fastest means of transport is the direct flight: Hanoi - Dong Hoi – it is a flight of only one hour and 25 minutes. However, you must take into account the travel time to the airport (1 hour from the old quarter). It's best to check your airline's website in advance to ensure a flight is available on your desired travel dates. Otherwise, we suggest using the train or bus. Note that if you choose to fly, then you will need to book a transfer from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha.

Ho Chi Minh City to/from Phong Nha:

A convenient way to get to Phong Nha from Ho Chi Minh City is to take a flight. From Dong Hoi, you will need to book a transfer to Phong Nha.

It is not advisable to take the bus or train from Ho Chi Minh City to Phong Nha. Alternatively, consider purchasing your plane ticket in advance or purchasing a ticket to Hue/Da Nang and from there take the bus or train to Phong Nha.

2. TRAVEL BY BUS

The buses are sleeper type, air-conditioned and sometimes have Wi-Fi, if you're lucky. There is a small toilet at the back of the bus and you will make quick stops along the way where you will find toilets. Most bus companies stop directly at Phong Nha. Therefore, the bus option has become a popular choice among travelers.

Hanoi to/from Phong Nha:

It is relatively easy to get to Phong Nha from Hanoi, and vice versa. Today, most bus companies drop off passengers directly in Phong Nha. This is the reason why the bus is becoming a popular choice among travelers as it saves on the additional transfer required from Dong Hoi.

Ninh Binh to/from Phong Nha:

Ninh Binh is on the route from Hanoi to Phong Nha, so you can take the same bus to arrive in Phong Nha.

>> Read more: Ninh Binh - Phong Nha: How to get to Phong Nha from Ninh Binh?

Ha Long to/from Phong Nha:

If you are planning to travel by bus from Ha Long, please note that you will be dropped off at Dong Hoi and not directly at Phong Nha. From Dong Hoi, you will need to book an additional transfer to Phong Nha.

Hue to/from Phong Nha:

Hue is located just a few hours’ drive from Vietnam’s jungle and caving capital. This is a relatively convenient journey with buses offered by several companies.

Da Nang (Hoi An) to/from Phong Nha:

Da Nang is the largest city in central Vietnam, with beautiful beaches, and mountains and just a 45-minute drive from the UNESCO World Heritage town of Hoi An. The bus journey between Da Nang and Phong Nha takes 7 hours.

>> Read more: What to do on My Khe beach, a golden treasure of Da Nang

3. TRAVEL BY TRAIN

Trains are a pleasant way to get around and admire the scenery along the way. They are especially comfortable if you buy a ticket in a soft sleeper cabin. There are only 4 beds in the cabin, so there is plenty of room to sit or lie down. A hard sleeper cabin doesn't have much space and each cabin has 6 beds! In fact, night trains are ideal because not only do you find a place to sleep for the night, but you also avoid missing out on a day of adventure due to travel.

II. INFORMATION AND ADVICE

TRANSPORTATION

The ideal way to truly fully experience Phong Nha is to head out on two wheels, whether that's a bicycle or motorbike. There are bicycle and motorcycle rental services almost everywhere in the city. In most cases, the staff at your accommodation will help you arrange transportation. If you want to explore the national park by motorbike and have no driving experience, it's easy to hire a local guide who can take you around (with you on the back of the bike).

The most common form of taxi in Phong Nha is the “xe ôm”, or motorcycle taxi. Most hotels and hostels have a “xe ôm” driver number if you need a local taxi. But keep in mind that most drivers don't speak foreign languages.

LOCAL CUISINE

Phong Nha's specialty, in terms of food, is Thit Nuong (barbecued meat). You can find it almost everywhere in Phong Nha, with choices between chicken, beef and pork. It is served with a chutney with local flavors and the taste is absolutely delicious! Besides Thit Nuong, you can find almost any Vietnamese dish and many Western options, thanks to the many restaurants and hotels in the area.

WATER TO DRINK

It is not recommended to drink tap water in Phong Nha. In addition to the common risks of drinking tap water in a developing country, Phong Nha tap water contains large amounts of limestone, calcium and other minerals. Please drink bottled or boiled water.

NIGHTLIFE AND ENTERTAINMENT

The people of Phong Nha love entertainment and have a strong karaoke culture. Attending a karaoke night after a tough cave adventure is an unforgettable experience. It’s an amazing way to relax and end your day with some fun! Everything is quite affordable and you can expect to spend around 80,000 VND (4 USD) per hour (excluding drinks).

MONEY

Traveling and lodging in Phong Nha are quite inexpensive, considering the exquisite experiences you will have here. That said, ATMs are easily accessible here, including Sacombank ATM, Agribank ATM, and Vietinbank ATM. Don't worry, all international cards are accepted at these ATMs. Some stores or restaurants accept card payments and may not have change for large bills (500,000 VND), so carry small bills with you.

MARKET

Phong Nha Market is located along the main road, close to the tourist center of Phong Nha. The market may seem chaotic, but it's worth a visit, especially if you're looking for something specific.

Bring small bills and don't expect to have many people who speak good English. Everyone in the market is very friendly, but if you're a foreigner, expect stares. Unfortunately, you can also expect to pay a “foreigner price” in some places.

Feel free to bargain at the market and work your way through the back where the freshest fruits and vegetables are found. It is best to visit the market between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. It's open until around 11 a.m., then closes for a few hours until the afternoon. It reopens around 2:00 p.m. until approximately 6:00 p.m. (times vary depending on the time of year and at the discretion of the sellers). You will be able to find basic things like hats, socks, flip flops, raincoats, snacks etc. but not proper hiking gear.

SECURITY

Phong Nha is unlike any other place and your travel experience here will be the safest you have ever had. The whole of Phong Nha is like a big family and everyone is extremely respectful and friendly towards tourists. The locals have your back at all times and will do everything in their power to protect you and your interests in all kinds of ways. However, in case of emergency, here are the emergency telephone numbers (the country code is +84):

- 113 – Police, 115 – Firefighters, 114 – Ambulance

- Phong Nha Police Station: +84 (0)232 3677009

- Dong Hoi Police Station: +84 (0)232 3822142

- Quang Binh Immigration Office: +84 (0)232 3828648

MEDICAL CARE

Phong Nha provides very basic medical care, mainly for common illnesses. There is a small medical clinic near the entrance to the town (no foreign language speakers at the clinic). If you need more serious medical attention, you should go to Dong Hoi Cuba Hospital (1-hour transfer) or Hue International Hospital (4-hour transfer). When you need help, the people here won't let you feel abandoned and will make sure you get medical attention as quickly as possible.
Phong Nha Hospital telephone number (more of a medical clinic): +84 (0)232 3677047

PHARMACY

Several pharmacies are located near the market, just to the left. They are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and sell basic medicines for the flu, headaches and stomach aches, as well as iodine, but they do not provide urgent or serious medical care.

RAINY SEASON

The rainy season usually begins around mid-September and persists until mid-November each year and extreme weather conditions can occur, including flooding. Flood waters remain high for up to a week at a time. Some tourist activities are closed at this time of year, so be sure to check the weather forecast before traveling to Phong Nha.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

There are several important public holidays in Vietnam:

- Tet Festival (varies from year to year depending on the lunar calendar, usually has the date in January or February in the Gregorian calendar.)
- April 30: Vietnam Reunification Day
- May 1: Labor Day
- September 2: Independence Day

Please keep in mind that transportation is extremely difficult to arrange during major holidays, especially Tet. You should make arrangements up to a month in advance, otherwise, you risk paying higher prices for private transfers or getting stuck in town if you don't. There are many accommodations and shops open in the city during the Tet holiday, and if you are lucky enough to be invited into the home of a local family, which is very likely, you will have an unforgettable experience!

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