How to do Phong nha tour under $100?

Phong Nha-Ke Bang is seriously one of Vietnam's most underrated adventure destinations, complete with giant cave systems, lush green jungles, and clean rivers. And it's not only the Son Doong Cave, the world's largest cave - it offers plenty of budget-tour options that won't cost you the earth to see its cool features.

If you like adventures and exploring Vietnam on a shoestring budget, you're in luck. There are some amazing Phong Nha tours that cost less than $100 and they still include amazing jungle treks, swims through underground caves, and some really beautiful limestone scenery.

In this travel guide for Phong Nha I'm going to describe to you two fantastic tours that won't cost you the earth and will introduce you to the fantastic unspoiled beauty of Phong Nha.

Tra Ang Cave Adventure ($32): A fantastic blend of hiking, swimming, and visiting the caves of this secluded part of the national park. It is the cheapest tour of Phong Nha (among guided tours).

Elephant Cave & Ma Da Valley Jungle Trek ($80): You'll be trekking all day in this incredible jungle and visiting two great caves. I personally feel it is the best trekking tour in Phong Nha for the price it is offered at if you want to go off the tourist trail which mainly covers tours like Paradise cave, dark cave etc.

Let's see why you simply must include these tours in your Phong Nha bucket list!

1. Tra Ang Cave Tour – An entertaining and inexpensive experience ($32)

Overview of the Tra Ang Cave Tour

• Tour Cost: $32

• Tour Duration: Full day (approximately 7-8 hours)

• Difficulty Level: Moderate (requires swimming and hiking)

• Tour Highlights:

  • Look at the incredible Ho Chi Minh trail!

  • Swim 600 meters in Tra Ang Cave

  • Have a BBQ along the river in the jungle.

  • Explore the amazing Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng rainforest on foot
    
    

Tour Experience: What to Expect

Tra Ang Cave day tour is really inexpensive in relation to the tours offered in Phong Nha but has this fantastic blend of adventure, relaxation, and natural beauty.

1. Hike on the world-famous Ho Chi Minh Trail.

As you're starting off with the trek in the Phong Nha jungle, you're going to hike along part of the Ho Chi Minh Trail - the old trail from the Vietnam War era. Along the way while you're trekking, you'll venture deep into the national park with these towering limestone cliffs on either side of you, dense jungles, and loads of great wildlife noises all over the place.

When walking in the jungle, you'll encounter some great hidden streams, natural pools, and all manner of flora and fauna. And if you are lucky, you might be able to spot some of Phong Nha's elusive wildlife, such as langurs or hornbills!

2. Swimming at Tra Ang Cave

You've got to experience the 600-meter swim at the really cool Tra Ang Cave – it's the highlight of the tour. Unlike the other caves at Phong Nha that you reach either on the boat or on foot, you actually swim to enter the Tra Ang.

You would get a life jacket, helmet on head, and headlamp that's waterproof, swimming along these dark but incredibly clear cave waters with these enormous walls and somewhat eerie rock overhangs looming over you. Just the thrill of floating down this underground river with the headlamp illuminating what's ahead is so exhilarating.
Where the cave ends, there is a small surprise which the tour guide gives you and I don’t want to reveal it to spoil the fun haha

One caveat - the tour guide might not encourage you to bring your phone or camera unless you have a way to secure it with your hand because it's next to impossible to bring it back if it falls in the water. Get a hand band with an attached cable which sticks to the phone/go pro/ camera so even when it falls it will stay attached. You know what I am talking about.
Small warning - on the way to the cave the current underwater is a bit strong so you will have to exert a lot of energy while swimming with your lifejacket. Just know this before you go. 

It's no big deal and you can always ask the tour guides there to help you swim.

3. BBQ Lunch in the Jungle

After a tremendous cave swim, you're gonna relax with a delicious BBQ lunch on the riverbank, enjoying fresh local treats. You will be lounging on a rock beside the refreshing clear water, with lush jungle all around, enjoying grilled meat, vegetables, and some traditional Vietnamese cuisine. It feels pretty relaxing after a long swim.

4. Coming Back & Chill Time

After lunch, you'll get some time to relax, take a swim in the natural pools, or simply absorb that incredible jungle atmosphere. The return journey has even more breathtaking views before we return to Phong Nha town.

Who is this tour for?

• Budget-conscious travelers eager to experience adventure on the cheap.

• If you enjoy swimming and hiking

• If you want to visit some secret caves in Phong Nha,

Book this budget tour of Phong Nha- Tra Ang Cave Excursion

Elephant Cave & Ma Da Valley Jungle Trek – Only 80 bucks for the best full-day trek!

Here's the scoop on the Elephant Cave & Ma Da Valley Tour.

• Tour Cost: $80

• Tour Duration: Full day (approximately 9-10 hours)

• Difficulty Level: A little challenging - long treks, caving adventures, and swimming mixed in.

Trip Highlights

• Trek deep into the Ma Da Valley

• Visit the Elephant Cave, a fantastic secret limestone location!

• Swim in the beautiful Ma Da Lake.

• Explore Tra Ang Cave, an underground river system

Tour Experience: What to Expect?

This adventure is ideal for anyone that wants to spend the day immersing themselves in jungle trekking, cave exploration and just relaxing in the stunning scenery of Phong Nha.

1. Ma Da Valley hiking

The tour begins with the long trek along Ma Da Valley, this extremely secluded and untouched region of Phong Nha National Park. The foliage, limestone karsts, and completely virgin nature give it the appearance of entering some kind of forgotten world.

While hiking, your guide will brief you on the interesting history, geology, and wildlife here. Here live some of the rarest animals of Phong Nha, so be careful to keep an eye out for those tropical birds and spiders!

2. Visiting Elephant Cave

Your first major stop is Elephant Cave, which is named after this elephant-shaped rock inside. The cave is enormous, with these massive stalactites and stalagmites that make the underground really neat. Unlike many of the tourist caves, Elephant Cave is still completely natural and unspoiled, so you get the authentic caving experience.

Fun Fact - This cave was bombed by Amercians during Vietnam war and you can still see a large hole and a boulder which fell from the roof/

3. Swimming at Ma Da Lake

After you bounce off Elephant Cave, you'll visit Ma Da Lake, a little secret spot in the Phong Nha jungle. The lake is really clear and blue, perfect for a refreshing swim. It's a relaxed spot to sit back and cool off after all that trekking.
This lake has the best cliff jumping spots in all of Phong Nha!
There are a total 3 spots to jump safely from with varying heights from 1 meter to as high as 10 meters. Try based on your experience and if you have any fear of height you can always jump from the lowest point and still enjoy.

Best part is this lake is exclusive to Jungle Boss so besides your group there would be no one there!

4. Visiting Tra Ang Cave (Once Again!)

Similar to the Tra Ang Cave Tour, this tour has you swimming 600 meters within the Tra Ang Cave as well. If you like cave swimming, this is a great opportunity to experience the laid back, unvisited beauty of the underground rivers of Phong Nha.

So what's this tour for?

• If you're game for a slightly challenging and long climb,

• Adventure lovers who enjoy multiple caves and swimming spots

• If you're game for spending the day in the jungle,

You can book the Elephant Cave & Ma Da Valley Trek here.

Less Expensive Fun Activities in Phong Nha

Can I do Phong Nha tours without a guide? on my own? This is the most asked question in phong nha discussion forums but foreign travelers especially! So read on to find out such self guided tours:

Paradise Cave: Often referred to as the "underground palace," this cave features intricate rock formations and spans 31 kilometers. Entrance fees are approximately 250,000 VND (~$10.80).

Phong Nha Cave: You can ride down the Son River on a small boat to reach it, and it's really popular because of its underground rivers and ancient rock art. The cost of the boat ride plus the entrance is approximately 200,000 VND (about $8.50).

Botanic Gardens: For nature enthusiasts, the Botanic Gardens offer walking trails, waterfalls, and diverse flora and fauna. Entrance fees are about 40,000 VND (~$1.50).
Just go in early morning because in the afternoon it can get pretty humid and hot in summers.

Travel Tips for Budget Explorers

Accommodation: Phong Nha has something for every type of budget, including hostels and guesthouses that are affordable. Additionally, local homestays can provide some great cultural vibes and also save you money.

Transportation: Renting a motorbike (~150,000 VND/day or ~$6.50) is a cost-effective way to explore the area at your own pace.

Local Cuisine: Visit the local restaurants and street food shops to get into some authentic Vietnamese tastes without spending much.