Phong Nha is a smaller, lesser-known destination in Vietnam that is increasing in popularity among backpackers. With sights like the Tik Tok famous Duck Stop, adventures like ziplining into the Dark Cave, waterfalls to climb and other grandiose caves to explore, the small town of Phong Nha has a lot to offer. This guide will cover everything you need to know, including how to get there, how to get around, how many days to spend in Phong Nha, what to do, where to stay, where to eat and some nightlife recommendations.
How many days to spend in Phong Nha
How many days you spend in Phong Nha depends on how much of an adrenaline/ adventure junkie you are. Those on a tight itinerary will only spend one full day in Phong Nha, this can feel very rushed though. I would recommend a minimum of two full days if you’re not into adventure sports and don’t plan on doing activities like the Monkey Bridge or Dark Cave. If you’re a slow traveller or super into adventure activities and want to experience what Phong Nha has to offer, allow three to four days.
How to get to Phong Nha
Sleeper buses are the main way to get in and out of Phong Nha and are particularly convenient if you’re staying at Central Backpackers Hostel. The sleeper buses depart and arrive in two main spots in Phong Nha Town: opposite the boat station and directly out front of Central Backpackers Hostel. Both are super central locations in Phong Nha, so if you’re staying in the town, you’ll be able to walk there.
You can also get a sleeper train to Phong Nha if you’re really opposed to getting a sleeper bus, but the nearest train station is Dong Hoi, which is a 45-minute drive from Phong Nha City Centre. All sleeper buses and trains can be booked online on 12GOAsia or through hostels. When departing Phong Nha, I strongly recommend booking buses directly through Central Backpackers Hostel, as that means you can chill in the bar, and the staff will come and get you when the bus arrives.
How to get to Phong Nha from Hue
Hue to Phong Nha is a super popular route that many backpackers take when travelling south to north Vietnam. The journey takes only 5 hours, but the buses are still sleeper buses, which offer optimum comfort. Buses depart Hue at 11:30 am, 4:30 pm, 5 pm and 10 pm daily. There are a number of different pickup locations in Hue, depending on which bus company you book with. The Tbus booking agency is one of the most central and is walking distance from Vietnam Backpackers and Shark Homestay Hostel. Expect to pay between 350-450k VND Vietnamese Dong ($14-18 USD) for this ticket, with the price depending on the bus company and the time of day you depart.
How to get to Phong Nha from Hoi An/ Da Nang
If you’re choosing to skip Hue, you can go directly to Phong Nha from either Hoi An or Da Nang. In Hoi An, sleeper buses can’t enter Old Town, so most of the bus pickup locations are from specific bus agencies located around 10 minutes out of town, so make sure you account for this travel time. Buses depart at 8:30 am, 12 pm, 12:30 pm, 1 pm, 1:30 pm, 4 pm and 7 pm daily. The journey takes around 8-9 hours, making around two rest stops/ snack stops.
In Da Nang, none of the pickup locations at travel agencies are really central to where the hostels are, so make sure you allow extra time (at least 10-20 minutes) to get to the bus pickup spots. Buses depart Da Nang at 9:30 am, 1:30 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, 5 pm and 8 pm daily. Expect to pay 540k VND Vietnamese Dong ($22 USD) for this journey from either Hoi An or Da Nang to Phong Nha.
How to get to Phong Nha from Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh to Phong Nha is another super popular travel route for backpackers. It is serviced by many sleeper buses departing Ninh Binh at different times. The journey takes around 7-8 hours but may be delayed further if your bus gets stuck in traffic from Hanoi (where the bus starts from before picking up passengers in Ninh Binh). Sleeper buses every 15-30 minutes from 6 pm until 10 pm. They depart from different locations in Ninh Binh, the most popular being the Tbus office or Long Restaurant, as they are opposite Banana Tree Hostel. Expect to pay between 500-620k VND Vietnamese Dong ($20-$25 USD) for a ticket.
How to get to Phong Nha from Hanoi
If you’re skipping Ninh Binh (but you really shouldn’t; Ninh Binh is amazing), then you can get a sleeper bus from Hanoi to Phong Nha. Often, the sleeper buses will stop at Ninh Binh to pick up passengers on the way if it’s not a fully booked bus with passengers from Hanoi. The bus journey takes 12 hours, give or take, given the crazy traffic departing Hanoi. Buses depart with multiple companies at various intervals from 5 pm to 6:30 pm daily. The Tbus Office Hanoi is one of the most central pick-up points if you’re staying in Old Quarter, with it being around a 10-minute walk from Beer Street and major hostels. Otherwise, if you’ve booked a bus from a different pickup point, make sure you allow extra time to navigate traffic and get there. Expect to pay between 500-620k VND Vietnamese Dong ($20-$25 USD) for a ticket.
How to get around Phong Nha
Phong Nha is a very small town in rural Vietnam, with the majority of the sights and attractions being in the surrounding regions. That means, while you’ll be able to get around the small town on foot easily, you do need to organise transport to reach all other places. There is no Grab in Phong Nha, so the main two ways of reaching these attractions are renting a motorbike and driving yourself or hiring a taxi with a driver for the day. Hostels and tour agencies also run group tours to different locations and caves, although these tend to be more expensive than simply forming a group of 4 and organising a driver yourself. The only activity that requires a tour is the adventure tour to Dark Cave, which will pick you up and drop you off at your hostel, so there is no need to worry about transport.
Getting around Phong Nha by motorbike
Motorbikes are the go-to for many travellers here, as they offer total freedom and are easily the most cost-effective way to travel. It’s also a fantastic way to really feel connected to the landscape; there’s nothing like the breeze on your face as you zip through breathtaking scenery. However, it’s not all smooth riding. The roads surrounding Phong Nha are quiet in terms of traffic but can be tricky, especially if you’re not an experienced rider. There are lots of twists and turns in the roads to some attractions, buffalos crossing roads and surprise potholes. Plus, navigating local traffic rules (or the lack thereof) can be a bit of a challenge. You can expect to pay around 150k VND Vietnamese Dong ($6 USD) per day for a bike in Phong Nha, and most hostels offer rentals.
Getting around Phong Nha on foot
If you’re staying in Phong Nha Town Centre, you can walk to restaurants, cafes and bars. The town of Phong Nha is basically one long strip along a main road running parallel to a river. There are some footpaths, but they get used as motorbike parking, so you may have to walk on the side of the road. But there’s really not much traffic, so it feels very safe to walk around Phong Nha town. Even at night, as a solo female traveller, it feels very safe to walk around Phong Nha. One of the attractions you can visit on foot is the Phong Nha Cave, which is accessible via a boat ride from the boat station in the middle of town.
Getting around Phong Nha via taxi
Hiring a taxi with a private driver is the easiest way to get around if you’re not comfortable renting a motorbike. You’ve got a cool, air-conditioned ride, a local who knows the best routes, and the flexibility to stop wherever and whenever you want. Given there are not too many key sights in Phong Nha, most backpackers are visiting the same three sights. That means it is super easy to co-ordinate with other travellers to rent a taxi for the day to visit these sights.
It may not be as affordable as getting around on a motorbike, but it is certainly cheaper than group tours offered by hostels and travel agencies, and you have the flexibility of how long you spend at each stop. And while you’re getting the comfort and convenience, you might miss out on that sense of adventure and independence that comes with navigating a new place on your own. Expect to pay around 240k VND Vietnamese Dong ($10 USD) per person for a taxi for a day, based on an occupancy of 4 people.
Where to stay in Phong Nha
Phong Nha is not a massive town, and there is really only one proper hostel, with most of the properties on Hostelworld being homestays or guesthouses. The hostel in question is Central Backpackers hostel and it is a social/ slight party hostel. If you want to steer clear of any type of party or drinking, your best bet is a homestay in the town of Phong Nha. The homestays and guesthouses are all pretty affordable with good reviews. You can visit Central Backpackers Hostel for their bar and restaurant even if you’re not staying there, which I’d recommend for their nightly events like Trivia. All accommodations in Phong Nha can be booked online here.
Central Backpackers Hostel
Central Backpackers in Phong Nha is by far the most popular hostel in Phong Nha. The hostel is super social but does have a bit of a party vibe of an evening (nothing crazy, though). The dorms are clean and have comfortable beds with curtains, security lockers, good A/C and an ensuite bathroom. The rooms are really well-kept and spacious, with pretty good WiFi, given how rural the area is. One of the major benefits is the buses all arrive and depart from directly outside the hostel. When you’re leaving Phong Nha, I highly recommend booking your bus through the reception as it means they’ll come and get you from the bar when the bus is here, so you won’t be waiting at the front.
The hostel really nails the social vibe and is a great hostel for making friends as a solo traveller. During the day, most people are out, but they have a large outdoor area, pool and restaurant for those wanting to chill. They also have a free buffet breakfast every morning, which is another great opportunity for meeting people to do activities with during the day. At night, they have a free beer hour between 7-8 and nightly events like trivia. It has a bit more of a party vibe at night, but they usually take people out to King Kong Bar at midnight, so it’s quiet for those who want to sleep. That being said, though, it’s nothing too crazy like party hostels in Hoi An and Hanoi, as Phong Nha is such a sleepy town.
What to do in Phong Nha
Phong Nha is famous for two very opposite and bizarre things: caves and ducks. Phong Nha is home to the biggest cave in the world called Son Doong Cave (which is super expensive and hard to visit), but also many smaller caves like Paradise Cave and Phong Nha Cave, which are still super impressive and worthwhile. The town is also more recently famous (through TikTok) for the Duck Stop, which is a bizarre activity but well worth it. Other activities include the Dark Cave, which is for adventure lovers, and waterfall hikes in the Botanic Gardens.
Paradise Cave
If you only do one cave in Phong Nha, it should be Paradise Cave! The cave stretches for miles, but as a visitor, you’ll get to explore a well-maintained boardwalk that covers the first kilometre or so. The stalactites and stalagmites are seriously impressive, and there are lots of information boards. Getting there is part of the adventure. You can rent a motorbike and ride through some beautiful scenery, or go via private taxi if you’re not up for driving yourself. Once you’re there, there’s a bit of a hike from the entrance to the cave itself. It is around a 20-minute walk uphill and in humidity, which can be super tiring!
After the 20-minute hike, you arrive at the entrance to the cave. Exploring the cave is far less strenuous than the hike, and it’s cool inside. The cave itself can be pretty busy, particularly in the middle of the day. If you can, try to go first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid crowds. It costs 250k VND Vietnamese Dong ($10 USD) to visit Paradise Cave.
Botanic Gardens
Calling this attraction “Botanic Gardens” is actually super misleading, as this is unlike any Botanic Gardens anywhere in the world. Don’t expect a manicured, botanical garden experience – it’s more of a natural, adventurous hike along a trail and up a waterfall. It’s not super strenuous, but there are parts where you are hiking up rock steps and using ropes to avoid slipping.
The trails are pretty clear, and you can choose your own adventure depending on how much time you’ve got and your energy levels. If you just want a chill to walk through the jungle and see the waterfall from below, allow around 40 minutes. If you do want to climb the trail using ropes to the top of the waterfall and go for a swim, allow 2 hours. It’s not very crowded here, so it is a nice change of pace from the more popular caves. The entry fee is 40k VND Vietnamese Dong ($1.60 USD), and there’s a good local restaurant for lunch, drinks or coffee at the entrance.
Duck Stop
Visiting the Duck Stop in Phong Nha is one of those quirky, off-the-beaten-path experiences that’ll give you a story to tell. It’s basically a family-run farm where feeding the ducks is the main attraction. You get to feed them, watch them waddle around, and if you’re up for it, get a ‘duck massage’ as they nibble feed off your feet – it’s as weird and hilarious as it sounds. The place has a super laid-back countryside vibe. You can also interact with other farm animals or go for a buffalo ride on the family buffalo named “Donald Trump”.
It’s definitely a hit for an Instagram-worthy moment or just a fun break from the more intense outdoor activities in Phong Nha. The entrance fee is an affordable 100k VND Vietnamese Dong ($4 USD), which includes food and a drink. The food is Ban Xeo (Vietnamese Pancake) and either a beer or soft drink, which is served at the end of the duck experience. If you want to ride Donald Trump (the buffalo), it’s an additional 50k VND Vietnamese Dong ($2 USD). Sometimes, it can feel a bit touristy, especially if you land there when a bunch of other travellers do. But it is still a really fun experience and a good laugh. The whole experience and the food afterwards would take no longer than 1 hour, so you don’t need much time.
Phong Nha Cave
Phong Nha Cave is one of the more accessible caves, making it a solid pick if you’re looking to experience these natural wonders without going too extreme. You start with a boat ride on the river, which is pretty chill and offers some great views of the surrounding landscape. Once you’re in the cave, it’s all about the cool, eerie atmosphere. The stalactites and stalagmites are lit up, creating this otherworldly vibe that’s pretty cool for photos. The cave’s pretty big, and the boat takes you a fair way in before you hop off and explore a bit on foot. The one downside to visiting Phong Nha Cave is it can get crowded, which takes away from the nature. You should allow around 2 hours to explore the caves and experience the boat ride to and from the cave.
How to visit Phong Nha Cave
To visit Phong Nha Cave, you need to make your way to the boat station in town, which is walkable from most accommodations. Here, you purchase your ticket for the boat and pay for the entrance fee. The entrance fee is a standard rate of 150k VND Vietnamese Dong ($6 USD). The price you pay for the boat depends on how many people you have on your boat. The easiest way to lower the price of the boat is to make a plan with people from your hostel (the more people you get to join you, the cheaper it is).
If you’re not staying at a hostel or don’t meet anyone wanting to join, you can always wait at the boat station for a group and ask if you can join them to lower the price of the boat for you both. Boats can fit up to 12 people and cost 550k VND Vietnamese Dong ($23 USD). If you fill the boat to the capacity of 12 people, this works out as affordable as 45k VND ($2 USD) per person.
Dark Cave
Taking on the Dark Cave adventure tour in Phong Nha is certainly an adventure and perfect for those wanting a fun adrenaline activity. It involves zip-lining into the cave, swimming through murky waters and doing a bit of light caving. The zip-lining part is a blast and gives you some killer views of the area. Once you’re in the cave, it’s a swim to get to the main mud bath area. The mud is so buoyant you’ll float, and the guides usually encourage an all-out mud fight. Then, you’re wading and scrambling through different parts of the cave, which feels like a proper adventure. The tour is pretty well-organized, and guides are there to help you out and keep things safe.
Two things to note: you will get very dirty from the mud, and it is definitely not recommended if you get claustrophobic as you will be in small, dark spaces in the caves. Dark Cave Tours include pickup and dropoff at your accommodation in Phong Nha, guides, entrance fees and all safety equipment, such as helmets. Depending on the tour you book, it may be a half-day tour or a full-day tour (full-day tours include a second cave like Phong Nha Cave or Paradise Cave). Expect to pay around 450k VND Vietnamese Dong ($19 USD) for a half-day tour.
Where to eat in Phong Nha
In Phong Nha, you won’t go hungry – the food scene’s got enough variety to keep your taste buds entertained without needing to splurge. Eating in Phong Nha is pretty chill – it’s more about hearty, homely meals than gourmet dining. Most places have a relaxed vibe, just make sure you allow plenty of time for meals as service is much slower than in bigger cities.
The Pub with Cold Beer
The Pub with Cold Beer is an institution in Phong Nha for the vibes, the drinks and the famous fresh chicken. It’s not only a place to eat but a tourist sight in itself. They have stunning views of the countryside, hammocks everywhere and a pool you can use while you’re there. The Pub with Cold Beer is located a 15-minute drive from Phong Nha Town, close to the duck stop. Open during the day from 7 am to 6 pm; it’s the perfect way to end a long day of exploring: with a beer, some great food and chilling in the pool/ on a hammock.
Central Backpackers Hostel Restaurant
Central Backpackers Hostel Restaurant is handy if you’re staying there or want a quick feed before joining in the hostel’s nightly activities. It’s a mix of Western and local food, so whether you’re craving a burger or keen to dig into some local flavours, they’ve got you. It’s super social, particularly during their free beer hour from 7 pm to 8 pm every night. Afterwards, they usually hold events like trivia, pub crawls, or karaoke nights. The food comes up super fast (compared to most other restaurants in Phong Nha), so it’s perfect if you need a quick meal.
Bamboo Chopsticks Cafe and Restaurant
For a taste of authentic Vietnamese, Bamboo Cafe is a hit. It’s got a homey feel, and the family that runs it cooks up some delicious local dishes at pretty affordable prices. Located in the centre of Phong Nha and open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it’s a super popular spot for backpackers at all times of day.
Phong Nha Nightlife
In Phong Nha, the nightlife isn’t the main draw, as many people only stay a night or two and get up early for caving tours and to explore the countryside. It’s more about laid-back evenings than wild nights out, so set your expectations right if you’re used to partying in bigger cities like Hanoi or Hoi An.
Central Backpackers Hostel Bar is a go-to for pre-drinks, social events, and meeting other travellers. It’s got a friendly, social vibe, making it easy to meet fellow backpackers. It’s super social, particularly during their free beer hour from 7 pm to 8 pm every night. Afterwards, they usually hold events like trivia, pub crawls, or karaoke nights.
King Kong Bar is another popular spot. It’s got a bit of everything – drinks, music, and sometimes live performances. It’s one of the livelier places in town, but remember, ‘lively’ in Phong Nha is still pretty low-key compared to big-city nightlife. King Kong usually doesn’t get busy before 10 or 11 pm and is usually where the staff take everyone from Central Backpackers Hostel to keep the noise down at the hostel for those getting an early night.
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