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12 Best Things to Do in Phong Nha - Adventurous Caves & Cozy Farmstays

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I almost skipped Phong Nha because I questioned how impressive a couple of caves could really be? Turns out they can be quite impressive and I’m only sorry it took me three trips to Vietnam before I finally made it to Phong Nha. Now I wish I’d come sooner. Not just for the caves, but for the whole area which is slowly becoming one of my favourite areas in Vietnam.

We first booked a couple of days in Phong Nha, but ended up extending our stay twice because we fell in love with the area. There are plenty of things to do here, but it’s also one of my favourite spots to just relax and have a couple of calm days in the rice fields and watch the sunset. We stayed here and it was such an amazing spot to just recharge our batteries after some intense months of travelling.

I think Phong Nha is one of those places that quietly sneaks up on you. That’s at least what it did to us. While many people seem to rush on after visiting Paradise Cave, I think those who stay longer quickly discover that this small area is packed with adventure, incredible scenery, and some of the most unique experiences in Vietnam.

After spending time exploring the area myself, these are what I think are the very best things to do in Phong Nha.

12 Best Things to Do in Phong Nha

As always I’ll start with the fun part first, namely the top things to do in Phong Nha. If you also want more practical information like where you should base yourself, how to get around and my favourite restaurants, just scroll further down and you’ll find everything you need.

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Take a Boat Ride Through Phong Nha Cave

While Paradise Cave is explored on foot, Phong Nha Cave is experienced mostly by boat, so even if you might think why visit two caves, they are really two very different experience.

You start by taking a dragon boat from the city centre which takes about one hour total and you'll glide past really stunning scenery even before you enter the cave. It’s a motorised boat at first, but when you enter the cave they turn of the motor and start rowing into to the cave. It’s quite a long ride, so I was super impressed with the two ladies we had rowing the boat for us.

Phong Nha Cave

They drop you off inside the cave and you can walk parts of it back to explore the cave system. This area is dry, so there’s no need to bring anything special.

Because this is the most popular trip, it can get quite crowded. We went in the middle of the day, but if I were to go again I would try to go a bit earlier or later so you wont be surrounded by boats inside the cave.

Phong Nha Cave

The entrance fee is approximately 150,000 VND for entrance plus boat fee. We payed 1.200.000 VND for one boat taking us to both caves including tthe entrance to both caves. The boat fee is the same no matter how any people you are, so it’s a good idea to plan this with more people if you’re travelling alone. Alternatively you can join this popular tour that takes you to both Phong Nha cave and Paradise cave.

Walk up to Tien Son cave

When you buy your ticket to the Phong Nha cave you can also buy a ticket to Tien Son cave. When you’re done exploring the first cave, you can either choose to just head back to the boat station and find your boat or add on a walk up to Tien Son cave.

It seems many people overlook this cave as we were almost the only ones here compared to all the people we met in Phong Nha cave.

Tien Son cave

To get to the caves you need to walk about 500 pretty steep steps from Phong Nha cave up to Tien Son. It’s clearly marked and in good condition, but during the hottest hours it was still quite a tough walk, so make sure to bring enough water.

The cave itself was beautiful, but in all honesty it was quite similar to the one below. I do however think the views on the way up were absolutely insane and some of the best we got during our time in Phong Nha. So in my opinion it’s worth it even just for the views if you have the time.

View from Tien Son cave
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Go Kayaking on the Son River

A great way to explore Phong Nha and the Phong Nha cave is to take a kayak tour. I personally didn’t know about this until we were inside the cave and I saw some kayaks parked at the edge. I later found out that you can actually kayak on the Son River and explore more of the caves on foot and you get to see parts that others normally don’t. Had I known about this before we went to the cave I would have loved to do this.

Kayaking in Phong Nha cave

It’s a bit more adventurous and you need to do it with a guided tour, but it looked like an amazing way to explore the cave without so many people around. In addition you get to kayak the Son River in the morning, which seems incredibly peaceful.

This is the tour I would’ve booked to kayak in to Phong Nha cave.

You can also just rent a kayak at many of the riverside hotels and kayak on the river, but to get into the cave you need a guide and an entrance ticket.

Phong Nha

Visit the Duck Stop

What started as a local family farm has become one of the area's most popular spots. And I’m pretty sure you've seen some videos of duck stops in Vietnam if you've done any research before this.

I have to admit that I was a bit hesitant, and to be honest I still am after visiting. I did think it was incredibly fun, but I’m not sure about the ethical side of it. I’m no expert on this so do your own research and decide for yourself.

Duck stop in Phong Nha

In essence you get to visit a duck farm and get to feed them in various ways. First you just start with feeding them normally, and then they tell you to open your feet and they put seeds between so it feels like a little foot massage, which they call a duck massage. It tickled like crazy, but never hurt. Lastly you can choose to get seeds all over you body laying down and the ducks will eat right off you. I personally skipped this, but there was one guy who did it and it felt very strange when the farmers kept throwing seeds on his private parts for the duck to eat. So even though I had fun, and it looked like the animals here were taken good care of, it might not be for everyone.

Duck stop in Phong Nha
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Relax at Bar With Cold Beer

Yes, that is actually what it's called. And true to its name it is in fact a bar with really cold beer. We came here after visiting the duck stop and it was a really nice spot to just relax and grab a drink.

There are some really nice views over the valley and lake, and some hammocks you can chill in. There’s nothing happening here, but if you're either biking around or just exploring the area it’s a nice spot to stop by. We didn’t eat here, but I’ve been told that they actually have some of the best food in Phong Nha, so it might be worth checking out if it aligns with your plans.

Bar With Cold Beer
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Walk through the Bong Lai Village

If you just want a taste of local life, I recommend heading to Bong Lai village to explore. We just walked around, but you can bike or scooter in the area and just see how everyday life in the village unfolds.

You’ll walk among rice paddies, see cows, locals biking and you can just stop wherever you want. We just walked aimlessly without a plan and it was really nice. There isn't really anything happening here, which is part of the charm.

The scenery is absolutely beautiful, particularly in the evening when the surrounding mountains start glowing. It’s perfect to combine with a dinner at Phong Nha farm stay for instance.

Bong Lai Village
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Join a bike tour around Phong Nha

Explore Phong Nha on a guide bike tour where you see the national park, some of the caves and villages around the area.

Sunset Dinner at Phong Nha Farm stay

We stayed at the Phong Nha farm stay and I honestly think it’s the best spot to watch the sunset in the area. They also have a really nice restaurant so even if you don’t want to stay there I recommend coming over one evening to grab some dinner and drinks while watching the sunset over the rice fields. If you're a bigger group, or if you just want some of the best seats I recommend contacting them to make reservations in advance.

Sunset at Phong Nha farm stay

Bike over Monkey Bridge

I didn’t personally go here because it just didn't sound like my kind of thing, but I’m adding it here because it might be yours. This is in essence a place where you just come to relax and grab a drink, but the twist is that they have a challenge where you get a free beer if you manage to ride a bike over a really thin beam across the water. Even though I didn’t go there, I’ve seen multiple videos of it and it looks really hard and most people fall into the water, but it’s probably fun and if you make it you get a free beer.

Exploring Phong Nha

Explore Paradise Cave

If you only have time for one cave in Phong Nha I think you should make it Paradise Cave. This was hands down so much better than I expected.

I have to say that we almost skipped Phnong Nha because I honestly didn't think a cave could impress me like this, but I’m so glad we came because this was such a cool experience. The scale of it was what surprised me most. It felt almost endless, with giant chambers stretching every way and wooden walkways winding through formations that look like something from another planet. It actually stretches more than 31 kilometers underground, making it one of the longest dry caves in Asia and even though you can only see parts of it, it’s easily the most impressive cave I've ever visited.

Paradise cave, Phong Nha

When you get there you'll take a short buggy ride form the ticket office, then walk up a not very steep hill for about 10 minutes before you reach the entrance to the cave.

Before we came here I’d read so much about there being a super steep set of stairs you had to climb, so I was really surprised when we reached the entrance and hadn't climbed a single step. There are some stairs inside the cave and you have to walk down to the ticket office again on stairs, but all in all it was a very easy walk compared to what I’d heard. But the positive surprise was very welcome in the heat! It’s also relatively cold in the cave which was a nice switch from the temperatures outside.

Paradise cave, Phong Nha

There are a couple of different ways you can explore the cave. The first option is the one most people do, where you simply buy a ticket at the entrance and explore the first kilometres of the cave either with or without a guide.

The second option is a more in depth tour where you have to have a guide and you walk further in to the cave. You’ll walk past the wooden walkways and it’s a bit more adventurous. If you're very interested in caves this is probably one of the coolest things you can do, but for us it was more than enough just exploring the first kilometres.

Paradise cave, Phong Nha

Spend a Day at Dark Cave

If you're craving a bit more adventure, the dark cave might be for you. Unlike Paradise Cave, this experience is much more hands-on.

To get to the Dark Cave you first have to zip line (you can skip this one if you really want), then swim for a bit to reach the cave entrance. Inside you’ll be in complete darkness with only a head torch and a guide. This is also where you can do the famous mud bath, just don’t bring anything you care too much about.

After exploring the cave you can choose to stay in the area and kayak, swim, or tackle the obstacle course over the river, it’s all included in the ticket. No matter if you just want to visit the cave, you still have to buy a ticket to the full “water park” experience, so you might as well set aside some time for that if you can.

Phong Nha

Visit the Phong Nha Botanical Garden

If you want something a bit slower again, you can head to the Phong Nha Botanical Garden. Even though it’s called a botanical garden, I wouldn’t honestly say that I think it was. Yes it’s beautiful, but you wont find plenty of flowers and neatly trimmed gardens like you might find in other botanical gardens.

In reality it’s a line if jungle trails located inside the national park. The trails will take you to various viewpoints and a waterfall where you can cool off after hiking.

The walk isn't particularly difficult, so almost anyone could do it. It's a peaceful alternative to the more crowded cave attractions and offers a different perspective on the park's biodiversity. However, if you’re very short on time in Phong Nha, I would prioritise the caves over this.

Phong Nha
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Take an Overnight Expedition

Even though we spent over a week in Phong Nha, we never did any of the overnight expeditions. One of the reasons being that we mainly came here to relax and it was a bit out of our budget. Secondly, some of the expeditions are sold out months in advance so you have to plan accordingly.

Even though we never did it, I’m adding it here so you know about it when planning your trip. All the expeditions are obviously guided and there are a few different ones you can choose from.

Hang En Cave Trek takes you to the third largest cave in the world. The journey involves crossing rivers, hiking through dense forest, and camping inside an enormous cave beside an underground beach. Waking up inside one of the world's largest caves does sound like a lot of fun!

Soon Dong Cave Expedition is for many the ultimate dream. It’s recognized as the largest cave in the world, and it contains its own jungle, weather system, and massive chambers large enough to fit skyscrapers.

Access to it is strictly limited and requires a multi-day guided expedition. While the price puts it beyond many travel budgets, it remains one of the most extraordinary adventures available.

Phong Nha

Where Is the Best Area to Stay in Phong Nha?

For most travellers, Phong Nha town might be the best place to stay, especially if it’s your first visit and you’re only there for a night or two. It’s the main hub for visitors, with restaurants, cafés, tour operators, scooter rentals and the boat pier for trips to Phong Nha Cave all close together.

However, if you have a little more time, I’d seriously consider staying outside the centre. The countryside around Phong Nha is just as much a part of the experience as the caves themselves, and some of the most memorable places to stay are tucked away among rice fields, rivers and limestone hills.

Below you’ll see my three favourite hotels that I recommend checking out first. This is my personal favourite, and I highly recommend staying there if you want a relaxing, but fun stay in Phong Nha.

Phong Nha Farmstay
Phong Nha Farmstay

This is one of the best-known places to stay in the area, and for good reason. Set among the rice fields, it has a relaxed boutique-hotel atmosphere, a swimming pool and a welcoming communal space where you can unwind after a day of exploring.

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Victory Road Villas
Victory Road Villas

This is a beautiful boutique stay overlooking the Son River, combining traditional Vietnamese design with modern comforts and plenty of space to relax. The private villas have their own balconies or patios and kitchenettes, and there’s an outdoor pool and restaurant on the premise.

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TuTu's Homestay Phong Nha
TuTu's Homestay Phong Nha

This is a charming family-run property known for its friendly hospitality, comfortable rooms and delicious food. It’s a lovely option for travellers who prefer a personal experience and want to feel at home while exploring the area.

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Map of the Best Hotels in Phong Nha

Below you'll find a map where I've pinned my favourite hotels in Phong Nha to make it easier for you to navigate when you're looking for where you want to base yourself.

Where to Eat in Phong Nha

Even though Phong Nha is a rather small place, they do have some really great spots to eat. I didn’t try them all, but below are some I really liked.

Phong Nha

How Many Days Do You Need in Phong Nha?

Most travellers spend two or three days in Phong Nha and I’ve even heard of people just spending one night. You can technically come in with a night bus explore the area, spend one night, explore some more and take a new night bus onwards, but I honestly wold just skip it and come back another time instead.

Personally, I think four to five days is ideal. This gives you enough time to visit the major caves, enjoy a jungle adventure, spend time kayaking or cycling through the countryside, and experience some of the area's lesser-known attractions without feeling rushed.

If you're into hiking, caving, or outdoor activities, you could easily spend a week here.

Final Thoughts: Is Phong Nha Worth Visiting?

Phong Nha is one of those places in Vietnam that I think deserves more than just a quick stop. Of course, the caves are the main reason most people come here, but there is so much more to the area than what lies underground. The limestone mountains, rice fields, rivers and small villages make it a beautiful place to slow down for a few days.

If you enjoy nature and outdoor adventures, I’d definitely add Phong Nha to your Vietnam itinerary. You can spend one day exploring some of the incredible caves and the next cycling through the countryside, kayaking along the river or simply relaxing at your accommodation with views of the mountains.

It may take a little more effort to get to than some of Vietnam’s bigger destinations, but that is also part of its appeal. Phong Nha feels much more peaceful and less developed than many of the country’s major tourist destinations, and I think that makes it even more special.

Plan Your Trip to Phong Nha

Hopefully this guide has given you everything you need to plan what to do in Phong Nha. To make planning the rest of your trip even easier, I've included all the resources I personally use when I travel.

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