Phong Nha

Why visit Phong Nha?

Most people visit the town of Phong Nha Vietnam, located in Quang Binh province on the north-central coast, to explore its natural wonders and underground delights: namely, Son Doong Cave, the world’s biggest cave. Attracting thousands of adventure tourists per year, it has plenty to keep them captivated. There’s the impressive sight of its sheer, once-hidden size and depth, its numerous grottos and its imposing stalactites and stalamites which inspired the name (Phong Nha means “Wind and Teeth”).

There’s also plenty of opportunities for camping, swimming, kayaking and zip-lining for those wanting a more active kind of holiday – and the chance to hike in the jungle around the caves.

The Son River, which flows underground and forms a beautiful lake within the cave system itself, is a wide, clear and pristine river when viewed from the town of Phong Nha itself. Plenty of homestays overlook the river for great views and one of the best things to do in Phong Nha is simply to sit with a beer beside the river at sunset – it’s a spectacle in itself.

Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, to give the area its full name, has been recognised by UNESCO as a World National Heritage site: for its geological, geomorphological and biodiversity criteria, with flora and fauna unique to this part of the world. So as well as being fun to explore, it holds an extra-special appeal to history, geography, wildlife, nature and culture enthusiasts alike.

The giant underground kingdom of the Phong Nha caves – a place that could fit a city of skyscrapers and that has its own microclimate – must be seen to be believed. With a customised tour of Phong Nha, you can experience the oldest karst mountains in Asia. So get your Attenborough on and get exploring: a new world awaits.

When to visit Phong Nha

Phong Nha weather can generally be classified as having a tropical monsoon climate that’s both hot and humid. This is the climate of Vietnam’s North Central region, particularly within Quang Binh province, thanks to the influence of the Truong Son Mountains.

Temperatures here may soar as high as 41℃ in the summer months, dropping to 6℃  in winter. Phong Nha gets the most rainfall between the months of July and December. So, for slightly cooler temperatures and drier days – the best for hiking and exploring the caves – we’d recommend travelling during the first half of the year, from February to May.

Although the dry season actually runs from February or March until August, visiting during the more comfortable months in terms of heat (ie, before the summer) means you can get even more enjoyment out of your trip. Still, if your Phong Nha holiday is over the summer months, don’t worry – the caves can be refreshingly cool and you can always splash in the Son River or relax in a natural mud bath along the way.

Ready to check out the Phong Nha Caves?

Wide Eyed Tours & Travel work with experienced local guides in Phong Nha: who are native to the area, and who know every inch of this incredible landscape. They’ll give you plenty of pearls of wisdom, so you can dazzle your friends and family back home with all your knowledge. Yay!

Plus, rather than herding you through the area at breakneck speed, our guides will give you plenty of time to enjoy the beauty of the Phong Nha caves safely, and at your own pace.

Remember, you can always customise your trip to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park as you go: spending as much or as little time in the attractions as you like, and adding on whatever activities tickle your fancy: from hot springs to ziplining. Because although cave tours are becoming increasingly popular here, we want to avoid carbon copy experiences – we want you to enjoy what’s unique about this area and to savour the adventure, the peace and the mystery it holds.

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