Phong Nha-Ke Bang

Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng is a National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Quảng Bình Province, in the north of the Central Coast region of Vietnam. The park is 50 km north of Dong Hoi, around 450 km south of Hanoi.

Understand
The core zone of this national park covers 857.54 km² and a buffer zone of 1,954 km². The park was created to protect one of the world's two largest karst regions with 300 caves and grottoes and also protects the ecosystem of limestone forest of the Annamite Range region in north central coast of Vietnam.

The plateau on which the park is perched is probably one of the finest and most distinctive examples of a complex karst landform in Southeast Asia. This national park was listed in UNESCO's World Heritage Sites in 2003. In April 2009, the world's largest cave, Son Doong Cave, was discovered by a team of British cave explorers of British Caving Association. Tourist activities in this park includes expedition of caves and grottoes in boats, eco-tourism, discovering the flora and fauna in this park and mountain climbing, trekking.

Phong Nha town is on the edge of the park just off the main highway, and has undergone some growth since the caves were discovered. Most accommodation, restaurants and travel providers are in the town, although there are some good places in the surrounding villages - where the tradeoff is the peace and quiet!

Climate
Like North Central Coast Region (Bắc Trung Bộ) in general, and Quảng Bình province in particular, the climate in Phong Nha–Kẻ Bàng national park is tropically hot and humid. The annual mean temperature is 23-25°C, with a maximum of 41°C in the summer and a minimum of 6°C in the winter. The hottest months in this region are from June to August, with an average temperature of 28°C, and the coldest months from December to February with an average temperature of 18°C. Annual rainfall is 2,000-2,500 mm, and 88% of the rainfall is from July to December. With more than 160 rainy days per year, no month is without rain. Mean annual relative humidity is 84%.

By plane
The closest service is via Vietnam Airlines to Dong Hoi with flights to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, and Jetstar Pacific Airlines).

By rail
Several arrivals and departures at Dong Hoi daily from as far away as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, only a few hours from Hue.

By bus
A local bus goes from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha for less than 40,000 dong. It departs hourly from many bus stops around Dong Hoi. Look for the blue signs that say Dong Hoi - Hoan Lao - Phong Nha or Dong Hoi - Phong Nha - Trooc

Sleeper buses with Hung Thanh Travel, Camel Travel, Queen Cafe and DMZ make stops in Phong Nha with an overnight journey between Phong Nha and Hanoi and an early morning departure to Hue and evening arrival from Hue.

By motorcycle
Motorbikes can be rented for 150,000 dong from hotels in Dong Hoi. It takes about 1 hour via a highway, but it is easier to get a transfer to Phong Nha or take the bus then rent a motorbike in Phong Nha. The Phong Nha cave is about 45 km from Dong Hoi and the Thien Duong (Paradise) Cave is about 70 km from Dong Hoi.
 * Tung Motorbikes +84 915960481 mail: khanhtungnguyen@gmail.com offer a great selection of fully serviced and safety checked motorbikes for rent for visiting Phong Nha Caves and arround. Deliver and pick up included. Address: 44 Hoang Dieu, Nam Ly, Dong Hoi, Vietnam.

By taxi
Taxis can be hired from hotels, resorts, airport or train station in Dong Hoi. About 1 hour on a highway with cars, oxcarts, motorbikes, buses, trucks, but it is easier and more economical to book a transfer through your accommodation in Phong Nha.

Do
Bicycling and kayaking, swimming at allowed points along the rivers.

Eat
Vung Hue - The original restaurant in town still serves up great Vietnamese food. Great for groups.

Phong Nha Farmstay - Vietnamese and Western food. Crispy based wood-fired pizzas. Daily specials.

Easy Tiger Hostel - Western food in a young and fun environment. Live music.

Capture Vietnam - Gourmet food and wood-fired pizzas. Coffee, tea, wine, cocktails, fresh juice and more.

Thang Nhung - They serve spit-roast pork and a range of noodle dishes. Try the pork banh mi or the bun thit nuong.

Tuan Ngoc Restaurant - well priced Vietnamese food with friendly staff.

The Pub with Cold Beer - as farm to table as it gets. This spot in the Bong Lai Valley serves up the freshest local chicken you will ever eat. Choose your chicken from the out the back and watch the transformation to the plate.

Moi Moi Restaurant - also in Bong Lai Valley this local gem serves up a range of great dishes. Pork in Bamboo is a speciality.

Why Not Bar - Vietnamese food. Great beef soup in the morning.

Mountain Goat and Hill Chicken - just past the big yellow church on the river. Goat and other dishes in Vietnamese style. Great views.

Drink
The Pub with Cold Beer - an all day watering hole that serves fresh chicken. Ride a bike out to Bong Lai Valley for real rural Vietnam.

Easy Tiger Hostel - 3 happy hours, draft beer and a great crowd. Easy Tiger is the centre of town for the social scene.

Bomb Crater Bar - A small bar on the river between Phong Nha and Bong Lai. Stop in here for half way refreshment or for a place to relax close to town. Swim in the river here.

Andy Bar & Disco - opens at 23:00 when the Easy Tiger closes. Music and booze. Free shuttle from Easy Tiger.

Sleep


In Phong Nha Town near the cave boat dock there are many budget level guesthouses as well as new hotels along the road TL20 (intersection with the giant sign that says Phong Nha Ka Be National Park) starting around 250,000 dong with the median around 400,000 dong.



Camping
Free camping is not permitted in the park. Park rangers are very suspicious of undocumented visitors overnighting in the park.

You can camp at the Botanic Gardens in the park for a fee.

Stay safe
Be cautious driving on the road to/from Dong Hoi and on the roads around the National Park; avoid night driving. If you want a motorbike with driver this can easily be arranged at Thang's Phong Nha Riders next to Easy Tiger.

Bring mosquito repellent, or buy some at Capture Cafe in Phong Nha Village, next to Easy Tiger. They have a range of "necessities" as well as excellent food and drinks. Tea, coffee, cakes and baked goods, woodfired pizza and more.

Quảng Bình Province was one of the most heavily mined and bombed during the war, and unexploded ordnance (UXO) is still a problem in the area including the national park. Be wary of leaving trails, and strongly consider using a guide. You can walk in the jungle at the Botanic Gardens but the rest of the park is off limits unless you are on a tour.

Go next
From Phong Nha- Ke Bang, you can go to Hue, Da Nang city or Hoi An ancient town by buses, by motorbikes with helmets, by trains or by private cars. Hue, Da Nang city or Hoi An are the must-visit nearby destinations.

Taking a bus from Phong Nha to Hue is the cheapest way and it costs 220,000 dong to 550,000 dong, depending on the quality of the buses and transportation companies. It takes you around 4 to 5 hours to get to Hue from Phong Nha town.

The distance from Phong Nha to Hue is around 230 km, it takes about 4 hours to get there. Booking a private car from Phong Nha to Hue, you will have an opportunity to visit some historical sites in the DMZ Vietnam, such as Vinh Moc Tunnels.