Here are top things to do & see when visiting Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park:
1. Phong Nha Cave: A majestic river cave of Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park
a. Explore 1.2 km Phong Nha Cave on local boat
The cave has a length of 7,729 m with the longest underground river system in the world. To reach the Phong Nha cave, visitors get on the motor boat to the Son River. When you come to Phong Nha cave you will feel the cool air, especially in the summer. The temperature in here is only 18-22°C. The boat is the only transportation in the cave to enjoy the look.
The beauty of the gorgeous nature is considered as the first magnificent beauty of nature. You can also discover Bi Ky Cave, Co Tien Cave and Cung Dinh Cave with beautiful stalactites in different colors and shapes.
The ticket fare to Phong Nha cave is VND 150,000/person, the price of each boat is VND 360,000 and it can carry up to 12 guests. If you go with a team of about 10 people, you should rent an individual boat.
b. An adventure tour through the 4500m lake
In addition to the first tour of 1.2 km of Phong Nha Cave, if you want to go deep inside, then register a new adventure exploring across the lake with 4,500 m in length.
This adventure requires you to sign up for a tour operator and you can not go on your own.
The tour will provide you with:
+ A kayak boat on the Son River
+ A headlamp flashlight and a dedicated hat for exploration
+ 1 life-jacket
+ 1 lunch
+ 1 tour guide
+ 3 – 5 porter escorts
You must pay VND 1,700,000/person/visit
Time: 1 day (08:00 – 17:00)
With this journey on the adventure route, it is very dark and so the tour guide provides a flashlight to see the way ahead and at the same time admiring the beauty of the stalactites and stalagmites in it. Kayaking in the tranquil setting of the 22°C cool water is also a great and impressive experience for you.
2. Tien Son Cave: An ideal attraction comprising natural beauty spots
After visiting Phong Nha, visitors often visit the dry cave – Tien Son Cave. Phong Nha – Tien Son is not only a pair of creatures but also an unified body. Located at about 200m high on the Phong Nha Cave, Tien Son Cave has a length of 980m and it is not included in Phong Nha Cave.
Setting foot in Tien Son cave, you will feel as if you are entering the heavenly realm. Each place is a natural feat. Encountering the natural features will constantly give you a feeling from amazed to fascinated, attractive to seductive.
Therefore, it is said that while the beautiful Phong Nha is where Thuy Te King and the mermaid are present, Tien Son is the silhouette of the Jade Emperor and the fairyland.
3. Paradise Cave (Thien Duong Cave): A breathtaking beauty of Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park
a. Explore the 1.2 km Paradise Cave on the wooden floor
Well known as the” palace in the ground”, Paradise Cave (Bo Trach District, Quang Binh Province) is one of the most magnificent and magical wonders in the world. Paradise Cave is located near the edge of the western branch of Ho Chi Minh Highway . From Phong Nha cave about 20 km further, in the heart of a limestone mountain at 191 m, the surrounding is the primeval forest of Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park. Thien Duong Cave is a dry cave that is considered to be the longest in Asia. Paradise Cave is 31.4 km in length, the width varies from 30 to 100 m. The widest point is 150m and the height from the bottom to the ceiling is about 60m.
Entering the cave, people will be delighted to imagine the countless stalactites of various shapes. Come with Cung Thach Hoa Vien as the statue of the Virgin Mary holding the comrades. Besides, Giao Thich is where the Jade Emperor discusses the state affairs with the gods, around is the unicorn and the phoenix. Compared to Phong Nha Cave, stalactites in Paradise Cave have more shapes and variations.
b. Explore the mystery of the 7000m Paradise Cave
Discovery time: 1 day
See the skylight from the top of the mountain which help to regulate oxygen in the cave.
You also have the opportunity to see fish without eyes and transparent albino shrimp. The 7 km Paradise Cave Tour will be equipped with safety equipment.
Paradise Cave tour 7 km: VND 2,000,000/ticket/person.
4. Son Doong Cave: The world’s largest cave
Trekking into the world’s largest cave will be truly unlike any trip you have ever experienced. Have you ever imagined inside a cave that could hold a Boeing 747? This is really a great masterpiece of nature, beyond the imagination with stalactites, giant stalagmites hanging from the ceiling or rising from the ground, looking like aliens with strange shapes.
A forest deep inside the cave with dazzling cloud create a mesmerizing scene. You will also have the opportunity to understand more about the stalactites that are hundreds of millions of years old in the fossilized corridor.
This is a journey from the beginning to the end of the cave, and you will use the trekking belt to climb into the cave entrance and climb up the wall of stalactite 90m high called the Great Wall of Vietnam. You will always be supervised and supported by Oxalis safety team during the tour.
The expedition is designed with plenty of time for you to take pictures and explore. However, you need to have good health and plenty of trekking experience (no climbing or caving skills needed).
Note: For reasons of safety and preservation of caves, Quang Binh province only allows Oxalis to be the only company allowed to lead visitors into the Hang Do and Son Doong Hang according to Decision No. 47 /VPUBND-VX (9 January 2015) and Decision No. 878 / UBND-VX (29 July 2015) of the People’s Committee of Quang Binh.
Any visitors who can not complete the way to Son Doong will have to return to Phong Nha and are not allowed to continue the trip. This is also applicable to anyone who does not comply with the rules of safety, environmental protection, tour rules or does not comply with tour guide requirements. All expenses paid for the tour will not be refunded.
5. Dark Cave (Hang Toi): Definitely no light in the cave
It is a branch of the Phong Nha Cave system. Dark caves were surveyed by British explorers in 1990 and 1992. The cave is 20 m wide and 40 m high. Like many caves in Phong Nha Ke Bang area, Dark Cave is both a wet cave and a dry cave with the length of 5,258 m and the height of 80 m. The “dark light” in the cave is so thick that the people think it was impossible to touch. their own hands
Dark Cave is pristine with thousands of colorful stalactites and is the home to many animals such as bats and swallows. Especially, this cave is also a home of the Ha Tinh langur – one of the primates named in the Red Book of Vietnam.
Located right by the river with high humidity so the stalactite in Dark Cave is covered with a large amount of moss creating a blue color. The cave is very primitive and does not have the lighting system such as Phong Nha Cave or Thien Duong Cave. You can walk on a 1 km long wooden staircase and then discover yourself by the light of the head lamp.
6. En Cave (Hang En): The world’s third largest cave
It has a total length of 1,645 m across the mountain and three entrances, one is halfway up the mountain and two are at the foot of the mountain to the southeast and northwest along the course of Rao Thuong Spring.
The unique feature of the cave is that En Cave is green in color. The light shining from the sky enters through the ceiling of the cave to make the scenemore shimmering and fanciful. On the ceiling, stalactites shaped like thousands of swallows and bats, which is also the cause of the name En.
Do not go by yourself because going in the forest is very dangerous. You need experienced guides to avoid getting lost. However, this is a high trekking route of nearly 30 km with more than 10 km up and downhill with the height of over 500m and more than 10 km wading streams, forest ice. If you have good health and training before, you can join this trekking tour.
7. Mooc Spring Eco Trail: The gift of Mother Earth
From the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park area, along the Ho Chi Minh Road (east branch) to the north, to the Khe Gat 3-way crossroad turn to the west of Ho Chi Minh Road (west branch) about 10 km to reach the ecological tourist site – Nuoc Mooc. Guests can also get on a boat to Son River, turn to Chay River over 6 km to this tourist destination.
Mooc Spring Eco Trail is unlike other tourist sites in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park. This place retains the pristine beauty of the nature. It is very attractive and surprising to visitors. The beautiful scenery, natural scenery and fresh air of Nuoc Mooc make it relaxing and attractive for tourists when coming to Quang Binh.
8. Aquarium Cave: A journey through the jungle
Located right in Sinh Ton Valley with strange blue water, Aquarium Cave has gentle water, even more feminine appearance with its jade blue shades. At first, Aquarium Cave was named Blue Water cave because of the blue water and hidden elements. So far, the reason behind the blue water of the cave is still a mystery.
The deeper inside, the more you can see the cave as an underwater arcade. You will see the colorful stalactites, mystical features and even hear the echo when people call each other.
9. Tu Lan Cave: The home of the Hollywood blockbuster movie
The Tu Lan Cave system includes more than 10 caves all. One of them was first discovered in 1992. The rest has been found in recent years. Mouse Cave (Chuot Cave) was chosen as the setting for the American blockbuster Kong movie which was released in March 2017.
Not only beautiful and adventurous at every sight, the cave also makes this trip incomparable to anything else. As you swim through the caves, you will be surrounded by gorgeous limestone formations, which are visible only by the light from your headlamps. You will leave behind the daylight fading when you begin to dive into the cave.
The setting is peaceful and tranquil, and it is certainly an unforgettable experience in your life. When you complete swimming and walk out of the cave, the scenery here cannot help but overwhelm you with a combination of the magnificent blue lake, green trees, and small waterfalls. This is absolutely a heaven on earth.
10. Eight Lady Cave: A spiritual tourism destination for visitors
Eight Lady Cave is a spiritual destination in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park. Visitors and local people often come here to burn incense and give tributes to the heroes, young volunteers during the Vietnam war. Go to Eight Lady Cave, the guide will share with you the sacrifice of the youth in the Vietnam-America War.
