Phong Nha

An adventure-junkies playground, Phong Nha is famous for it’s national park and extensive caves along limestone mountains, one of which being the largest cave in the world.

How to get to Phong Nha?

We traveled to Phong Nha on motorbike. The drive there was actually really easy, with road conditions being generally smooth on the highway the entire time. Buses and private cars to Phong Nha can be booked online via BookAway or 12GoAsia. 

Where to stay in Phong Nha?

We stayed at Phong Nha Lake House, which is located about 15 minutes outside Phong Nha town. Although it was a bit outside of the main area, it was located on a large lake, which was perfect for kayaking. There are two parts to the Lake House, we stayed in the West Lake area, which are the newer villas and they are stunning. 

Budget: Palafita Bungalow

A few of our favorite things in Phong Nha: 

• Explore the Caves: There are so many different caves to explore in Phong Nha, the possibilities are endless. The most popular for travelers seems to be Dark Cave, Paradise Cave, and Elephant Cave. 

• The Duck Stop: The Duck Stop in Phong Nha is a farm that grows pepper, nuts, vegetables, and home to over 100 ducks! It’s a fun experience to meet all the ducks, and the farm is run by an incredibly hospitable local family. Entrance fee: 100,000VND, or US$4.

• Bong Lai Swing: We visited here while on a motorbike tour of the Bong Lai Valley, with Phong Nha Lake House. The swing was SO fun, and makes for an awesome photo. Crazy to think that the same swing in more touristic places, (Bali for example) would cost upwards of US$20 for the same experience! Definitely not for you if you’re afraid of heights. They also have hammocks where you can get a drink, relax, and enjoy the views of the valley.