You really are off of the international tourist route if you find yourself here! And how richly you will be awarded! Not only do the local caves make the journey worthwhile, you will be paid in dividends when you visit Paradise Cave. Trekking is available, though at a premium in comparison to other towns around Vietnam. Also, there are few tourist services here so even hiring a moped can be a challenge!
Accommodation
There isn’t even a handful of accommodation to choose from. Hotels are on the main road as you come into the area and you’ll sometimes have to wait a good 5 minutes before you can get someone’s attention!
Song Son
Address: Son Trach, Phong Nha (Son Trach Village)
Prices from: Double from $12
Includes: AC, ensuite, fridge, TV, wi-fi, shared balcony
Tel: +84 52 367 7241
The only hotel that had someone on reception when we arrived is large and airy. Don’t bet on the TV working but the fridge will keep you picnic cool ready for your trip to Paradise Cave. There is a restaurant next door but don’t rely on it being open.
Phong Nha Farmstay
Address: Cu Nam Village
Prices from: Dorm $8, Double from $28,
Includes: AC, ensuite, communal area, swimming pool
Tel: 094-475-9864 Email: phongnhafarmstay@gmail.com
Web: phong-nha-cave.com/farmstay
This hostel is actually a fair distance from Phong Na but they do organise tours to the caves and national parks, although it is a lot more expensive than doing it yourself. Transport can be arranged from Hue direct to the farmstay.
Sites
Phong Nha Caves & Boat Trip
Admission: Tien Son Cave 80,000d pp
Boat hire: 350,000d
There are two main caves to visit on the trip; the underwater caverns and then the upper cave known as Tien Son. If you’re staying locally, then it is well worth getting to the boat area for opening at about 0730 before the tourist buses arrive. You can hire a boat to yourself or choose to wait and share. Typically the local tourists can be loud and less than considerate when visiting this type of site so it may be worth booking the boat for your own party. You’ll cruise along the rest of the way along the river seeing rural life on the opposite bank, youngsters farming river-grass with their giant chop-sticks that twist to grab the weed and the ubiquitous water-buffalo.
If you enter the under-water caverns first, then the guide will cut the motor and instead punt and row you through a series of caverns.
This is a major tourist attraction for Vietnamese and the most visited cave in the area by international tourists. If you plan to do this as a day trip, you’re best to organise this in Hue, though it is a long journey. You can visit the caves without hiring a boat, though you’ll still need to negotiate the price of the ferry over the river to the upper cave, Tien Son.
"Paradise Cave" Thien Duong Cave
ke Bang National Park
Admission: 120,000d
Depending on the route that you take to get there, it can take between 30 minutes and one hour. Really depends on how you ride! heading out of Phong Nha clock-wise takes you a more scenic route through steep hills whereas heading back out of town to the main road and then working anti-clockwise is a much smoother and faster route.
The sheer size and volume is breathtaking, as you can see from the banner picture. Definitely worth the 530 steps to the entrance of the cave system. arrive for around 1100 hours and most of the Vietnamese tourists will be heading out for their lunch, leaving you to enjoy this amazing site. Great place for a picnic too!
What do they say about a picture counting for a thousand words? Check out the blog for more pictures and information. [blog]
For more information about the research of the British Caving Association and the history of the park follow the link [ more].
The Leaping Lemur Group
Our Chosen Charities.
There are no charges for receiving information on this site, because this is about sharing the latest information and not making money. That said, please take the time to look at some of the charities that we've highlighted beneath, and if you want to "pay" for the information you've downloaded, then look into some of these worthy causes.
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SOS Children provides children with a home, a family and a new mother in a purpose-built SOS Children's Village, where they can stay until they are ready for independent life.
SOS Children currently cares for 1,952 children in Vietnam at its 13 SOS Children's Villages throughout the country, and a further 272 youths at its 10 SOS Youth Homes, where young adults go to prepare for independence. [more].
Endangered Primate Rescue Centre. EPRC rescue and take-in primates that from around Vietnam as well as running an education/ visiting centre to help locals and foreigners understand these magnificent creatures. The aim is to rehabilitate the rescued primates and release them back into the wild where they belong. Volunteering at the EPRC gives you a unique opportunity to directly help endangered wildlife whilst sampling the highly cultured and welcoming country of Vietnam. You too could soon be near to the rarest primate in the world during the day and then enjoy some tasty cuisine (and possibly a ‘Bia Hoi’ or 2) in the evenings with a not so rare primate species. [more]
MilkCare Foundation Until economic reforms in 1986, the Vietnamese government provided free schooling. Now, students must pay for "public" schooling in addition to other expenses such as school maintenance fees, textbooks, school uniforms. With an annual per capita income of less than $150 (US dollars) in rural areas, many families simply cannot afford to send their children to school. For these children--some abandoned and homeless--even basic nutrition and education remain only a dream. [more]
Vets With A Mission is a group of Vietnam veterans and non-veterans who are dedicated to bringing healing, reconciliation and renewal to the people of Vietnam. We run many different projects from volunteering to donating and fund raising. Please visit us for [more] information.
 Mine Awareness Group
We work with conflict-affected communities to identify their needs, removing land mines and unexploded ordnance, and helping those people in contaminated areas to live more safely. [more]
More links to charities in Vietnam can be found [here]
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Updated: March 2013
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Blogs
A Day with Easy Riders
My brothers family of 4, my dad and my older brother and us two on bikes? Impossible!
Follow us and like us to help promote charities around Asia.
We are always looking for people to join our little group or to help promote charities or just to update us on your travels!
Blogs
Phong Nha
Paradise is a cave called "Paradise".
A firm Vietnamese favourite but a little too far for most tourists. Not for these travellers!
[more]
Looking for inspiration to travel to Vietnam? Then check out these amazing travellers photographs. Or join the group and share your own!
Suggested Routes
If you've been to Vietnam and have a route that you could suggest then why not let us know? Otherwise, if it is your first time in Vietnam, have a look at some of our readers suggestions.
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