Top things to do in Phong Nha

A woman cycling in the countryside of Phong Nha. 

Camping and Caving

Caves in Phong Nha range from the tame to the tremendous. For conservation reasons, local authorities restrict access to the larger caves. Some tour companies have exclusive rights to take travellers inside certain caves, while others are open to all. Son Doong looms large as one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, but don’t let that overshadow the allure of Phong Nha’s other treasures. 

TIP: It's worth noting that many of Phong Nha’s caves are inaccessible during rainy season (from October to December.) Try to visit at other times of the year if you can.

Entrance to Rat Cave in the Tu Lan cave system

Son Doong

Son Doong is the world’s largest cave, with stalagmites that compete in height with London’s Big Ben. An expedition to Son Doong takes four days with camping spots set up on scenic parts of the trail. This is the most challenging and costly expedition in the area, and often booked out months in advance.

Tu Lan

The Tu Lan cave system lets you wade, swim, climb and crawl through a seemingly never-ending network of tunnels. If you enjoy floating down underground rivers and burrowing through tight passageways, this is the cave system for you. Tours of Tu Lan range from one-day moderate trips to full-on, four-day expeditions.

TIP: Parts of the 2017 blockbuster Kong: Skull Island were filmed in and around the Tu Lan cave system. Watch the movie for a taste of the scenery that awaits.

Hang Va and Nuoc Nut

Exploring the interiors of Hang Va 

Famous for their striking stalagmites and picturesque rock pools, Hang Va and Nuoc Nut are ideal for a two-day tour. The trip is short but challenging, as you’ll need to navigate razor-sharp rocks and clamber over karst passes to access the caves. Hang Va is undoubtedly the highlight, especially from January to March when the rock pools are at their fullest.

Pygmy Cave

Exploring Pygmy Cave, the world’s fourth largest, involves a challenging three-day expedition complete with abseiling and climbing. En route you’ll swim underground rivers in Tiger Cave and wade through jade-coloured ponds in Over Cave. If you haven’t the time or budget for Son Doong, Pygmy Cave provides a great alternative at a fraction of the price. For tours of Pygmy Cave, visit the Jungle Boss website.

Hang En

Camping inside Hang En Cave

A moderate, full-day trek through the national park brings you to Hang En, the world’s third largest cave. Expeditions in Hang En include an overnight stay out in the jungle or at the cave entrance, beneath thousands of darting swallows.

TIP: For expeditions to Son Doong, Hang En, Tu Lan, Hang Va and Nuoc Nut, you’ll need to book tours directly with Oxalis. Try to contact them in advance to avoid disappointment.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Tours and Tickets

Phong Nha Cave and Paradise Cave

Boats drift through Phong Nha Cave

Phong Nha Cave and Paradise Cave are the most popular attractions in the national park. Both of these are enjoyable, straightforward half-day tours, easily booked via your hotel. The entry to Phong Nha Cave features a journey along the river, while in Paradise Cave, a series of wooden walkways lets you explore safely. If you’re travelling with kids, both of these caves will allow them to join the fun.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is an adventure wonderland of ancient karst mountains and jungle. These mountains are around 400 million years old and contain a network of caves to explore. They’re also home to the largest cave in the world – Hang Son Doong – a gargantuan underground cavern that was only discovered in the 1990s. If you’d rather not take the pricier tour of Hang Son Doong, you can cycle alongside tropical rivers and past rural villages and lime green carpets of rice paddies and terraced hills. You can also take a guided trek, looking out for macaque monkeys and rare birds. Take in the views of the impressive karst landscape from the sun terrace of Phong Nha-Tuan Garden House.