Dalat to Phong Nha Travel plan

Perched in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, Dalat is an overnight change of pace - cooler weather, pine forests and flower gardens. Known as the “City of a Thousand Flowers”, Dalat supplies much of Vietnam’s strawberries, vegetables and high‑octane coffee.

Before heading north, savor the night market’s grilled eel and sweet strawberries (locals sprinkle a pinch of salt on them!).
When it’s time to leave, travelers have a few routes north:

• Flight: The fastest option is to fly via Danang or directly to Dong Hoi. Vietnam Airlines offers a couple of daily flights to Dalat-Danang (~1h), and from Danang or Saigon you can connect to Dong Hoi Airport (Quảng Bình) in 1-2h.
  
  Total journey takes under 6-8h including layovers, but tickets can run $100-200 total.

• Train+Bus: Dalat itself has no rail line, but you can take a bus south to Nha Trang (4-5h, ~VND 169k) and catch the Reunification Express train north. A train from Nha Trang to Dong Hoi takes ~12-13h (about $15-20); from Hue or Danang to Dong Hoi is ~3h and just $5-8.
  
  From Dong Hoi station it’s a 45km taxi or local bus (~VND 60k) up to Phong Nha. This “slow route” is scenic and air‑conditioned, but you’ll spend a full day on the move.
  
  

Sleeper Bus Going From Dalat City to Dong Hoi in Vietnam

• Bus/Sleeper: There are 2-3 night‑bus/sleeper options per day. For example, a direct Dalat→Pleiku bus (VeXeRe or Sinh Tourist) takes about 9 1⁄2 -10h (≈300k VND, ~$12).
  
  From Pleiku a 10h bus continues on to Danang (~320k VND), then on to Hue (3h, 169k) and finally Hue→Phong Nha (4-4.5h, ~$10-12).
  
  An all‑bus trip is long (≈22h, ~$25-30) but easy on a recliner seat.
  
  

• Motorbike/Tour: Adventurous riders sometimes rent a bike in Dalat and ride the Ho Chi Minh Highway north. It’s a grueling 800+km ride (roughly Dalat→Pleiku→Quảng Ngãi→Ho Chi Minh trail→Phong Nha), best done in stages with an experienced guide or Easy Rider tour.
  
  Solo motorbiking is possible (roads pass through jungle and mountain tunnels), but expect basic facilities and occasional military checkpoints.
  
  A private car or ride-share is another option: you can arrange a van or car through agencies, splitting ~$100-150 per person for comfort.
  
  

Road Going to Phong Nha From Dalat Motorbike

Each option has trade-offs. Flying is quickest and most comfortable but costs more. Trains and buses are cheap and interesting, letting you break the journey in cities like Nha Trang, Hue or Danang. Motorbike offers freedom and offbeat stops (think waterfalls and coffee farms) but be honest about your stamina and riding skill.

Here’s a quick comparison:

• Bus:Cheapest (~$20-30 total), overnight options, fixed schedule, limited legroom.

• Train:Mid‑price, scenic (coastline views), needs bus/taxi from stations.

• Flight: Fastest door-to-door, $100+, limited seat availability.

• Motorbike/Car: Most flexible, split costs with friends, speeds up to 800km in ~13h drive, but requires stamina and careful planning.

En Route: Stops, Food & Sleepovers

Nha Trang Beach

Break the trip at a few highlights instead of going non‑stop. Common stopovers include Nha Trang (beach town; try the seafood and relaxed beach clubs), Buon Ma Thuot/Pleiku (coffee farms, ethnic Ede culture, Elephant Falls, around 20-30k VND entrance), and Danang/Hue (urban comforts, historical sights).

In Hue, check out the Imperial Citadel and vegan banh khoai, then catch a sleeper bus in the evening (many depart ~5-7pm) down Highway 1 towards Phong Nha.

For lodging on the way: chain hotels or guesthouses in big cities (Dalat, Nha Trang, Danang) average $10-30 for a private room. In smaller towns you might share a sleeper bus bunk or grab a simple inn.

a View From a Beach Facing Hotel in Da Nang

We often picked budget hotels in Da Nang and Hue ($15/night) then grabbed a night bus to wake up in Quang Bình the next day. 
Pro tip: book popular buses (Queen Cafe, Hung Thanh, HueGreenBus) a day in advance via their local offices or an app like Baolau.

Food stops are highlights. Dalat street food is famous: think bánh mì xíu mại, grilled rice paper rolls (bò lá lốt), and plenty of fresh fruit stalls. We couldn’t resist the night market’s BBQ eel and those signature salted strawberries.

Further north, local specialties include Hue’s bún bò (spicy beef noodle soup) and bánh khoái (crispy pancakes). Carry snacks and water for long bus/train legs.

Dalat: What to See and Eat

Surprisingly, you’ll likely spend at least a day or two exploring Dalat before pressing on. The lake and parks are a peaceful start - Xuan Huong Lake is a 6km ring-road beloved for morning jogs and cafes.

Truc Lam Zen Monastery, Dalat, Vietnam

Up on the hills, Truc Lam Zen Monastery (cable car ride away) offers panoramic views and tranquil gardens. Crazy House (Hang Nga) is Dalat’s famous “treehouse” attraction - a whimsical, Gaudí‑style guesthouse/museum (entry ~$4). Nearby, the Valley of Love is a kitschy park with swings and flower gardens that locals visit for selfies.

Nature lovers can chase waterfalls: Pongour Falls (60km south, small entry fee) has a broad multi‑tier cascade; Elephant Falls near Dran is dramatic after rains; Datanla park offers short jungle hikes and a rollercoaster ride.

If you have an extra day, renting a scooter or booking an Easy Rider tour out to Lat Village or offbeat farms can unveil cool coffee plantations and rose/vegetable gardens.

Dalat’s food scene is both local and touristy. The market and night food stalls serve up grilled corn, snails cooked in tamarind, and layers of nem nướng (rolls of grilled pork). Don’t miss a "sinh tố" fruit shake or artichoke (cần tây) tea on Truc Lam lake.

On cooler evenings, warm up with “Lẩu gà lá é” (chicken hotpot with local herb) or just sip legendary Vietnamese coffee at tiny vendors. We found a handful of hostel-comfortable homestays (think bungalows with fireplaces) at ~$10-15/night - look for reviews mentioning “lazy breakfasts” and scenic garden patios.

Phong Nha‑Ke Bang: Cave Country

Hang Pygmy Cave in Phong Nha National Park

By the time you reach Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, the country becomes lush jungle and limestone pinnacles.
The main village (“Phong Nha town”) sprawls along a river at the park’s edge; most people use it as a base for cave adventures.

Accommodation here ranges from hostel dorms ($5-8) and river‑front homestays to boutique farmstays in rice fields. In fact, many travelers rave about staying in a riverside bungalow or "farmstay" just outside town - you’ll wake to the sound of water buffalo and birds.

In-town guesthouses and cafés cater well to tourists; we loved Phong Nha Coffee Station (great breakfasts and smoothies) and Chao Restaurant for grilled meats.

Must‑Do Caves and Parks

Phong Nha’s claim to fame is, of course, its caves. Phong Nha Cave (along the Son River) gives the park its name. You reach it by a short boat ride (~15min, about 12‑seat boat costs ~VND 550k split among passengers).

Entry is VND 150,000 (about $6), which buys a guided stroll through the first kilometer of giant caverns. The stalactites here are impressive, and the boat crossing is scenic.

Paradise Cave Phong Nha

Just up the road is Paradise Cave (Hang Thiên Đường). This enormous dry cave is part of the same system but has a wooden walkway leading deep inside. It’s open 8AM-4PM and costs about VND 250,000 for adults. 

Well-lit and maintained, Paradise Cave feels like an underground palace of stalagmites and stalactites - one of Vietnam’s most photogenic caves. Between the two, Paradise Cave is larger (and a bit quieter), while Phong Nha Cave has the river-boat charm.
Most budget tours or hotels can book you tickets and transport for a half‑day visiting these two highlights.

For thrill-seekers, Dark Cave (Hang Tối) is unforgettable. A zipline thrusts you 50m into the jungle canopy and into the cave’s pitch-black mouth. Inside you’ll crawl into sticky black mud pools and then kayak back downstream.

It’s muddy and hilarious - your skin practically glows yellow from all the minerals! A full Dark Cave package (zipline, mud bath, kayak and obstacle course) runs about VND 450,000 per person and typically takes 3-4 hours.
On one hot afternoon we tried it and left exhausted but grinning from ear to ear.

Hang Son Doong Cave in Phong Nha

Beyond the tourist caves, Phong Nha has more to explore if time allows. Tu Lan Cave tours and “two-day jungle trips” are possible with local outfitters. Hang En (world’s third-largest cave) and the legendary Hang Son Doong (largest in the world) lie deep in this park; visiting them requires booking with Oxalis Expeditions months in advance.
(In other words, not a spur‑of‑the‑moment activity, but very, very cool if you can swing it.)

If you just have a day: rent a bike or scooter and loop out to Phong Nha Botanical Garden. It’s a scenic ride through farmland ending at Thác Giỏi waterfall and tranquil Vang Anh Lake. Or head to Bong Lai Valley - a 15km farm loop known for riverside pubs and chicken barbecues.

The rustic Pub with Cold Beer is famous for grilling fresh chicken over charcoal (and yes, really cold beer). Nearby Wild Boar Farm and Moi Moi Restaurant are also in that valley, offering local eats with mountain views.

Cave Logistics & Tips

Most Phong Nha attractions are open daily, but some details are worth knowing in advance. Phong Nha and Paradise caves require paying at a central ticket counter in town (or through your hotel). Paradise Cave is open 8AM-4PM (last entry around 3PM).

If you’re headed to Phong Nha Cave, factor in the boat timing. Note children under ~1.2m often enter free. Book the Dark Cave combo in the morning (tours fill up by midday). And book tours for big expeditions early: Oxalis recommends reserving any multi-day cave trek (Hang En, Son Doong, Hang Va, Tu Lan) well in advance.

For everyday travel, buses from Hue deliver you straight to Phong Nha town. We took one around 5pm (Queen Café office in Hue) and arrived at 9-10pm. It was cheap (~VND 300k) and comfortable.

Alternatively, the train from Hue to Dong Hoi (3h, ~$6) plus a 45km taxi or minibus is fine if you prefer rails. Renting a motorbike in Phong Nha town is easy (about $7-10/day) if you want to explore solo.

Solo travelers should feel safe in Phong Nha - the town is small and friendly. Even so, basic caution: cover valuables on long rides, and fill up water and fuel before heading out, since stations are sparse.

In a group, consider a private van rental (split ~$10-15 per person) which can save time. If on a tight budget, we found dorm bed hostels for ~$5/night and street pho for $1.5.

Beautiful Lake in Dalat

Insider’s Tips & Hidden Gems

• Offbeat Dalat: Skip the crowds at Crazy House or Linh Phuoc Pagoda (mosiac-covered). Instead, wander Dalat Market’s back alleys for random treasures, or grab a coffee at An Cafe down a winding hillside alley (best view of town).
  
  At night, the Xuan Huong lakeside is dotted with couples feeding swans - rent a paddleboat for romantic vibes.

• Night market in Phong Nha: A few evenings each week, the sleepy Phong Nha main street fills with tables for barbecue and grilled corn. Locals and tourists mingle - try making your own nem or squid over the coals.

• Local Crafts: In villages east of Phong Nha, watch artisans shape stone joss-stick holders or carve buffalo horns. Friendly families often invite visitors in. Even sampling rice‑wine (the local homemade kind) is an eye‑opening cultural experience.

• Weather & Gear: Dalat’s microclimate can dip to ~10°C at night, so pack a sweater. Phong Nha, by contrast, is hot and humid - bring reef sandals and a change of clothes if you do the mud bath. Always carry insect repellent - the jungle mosquitoes here are real.
  
  

Phong Nha Sunrise Point

FAQ

Q: What’s the fastest/cheapest way from Dalat to Phong Nha?

• The fastest is air travel (Dalat→Danang/Hue→Dong Hoi) in 6-8h (including layovers). Cheapest is overland by bus/train ($20-30) as outlined above.

Q: Do I need to book Phong Nha cave tours in advance?

• Basic caves (Phong Nha, Paradise, Dark) can be arranged on the spot via local travel desks. However, expedition caves like Hang En, Son Doong, Tu Lan require advance booking (often months ahead) with licensed operators.
  You can also book large tours like Hang Pygmy and Tiger cave with Jungle Boss.

Q: How many days should I spend?

• A solid 2-3 days in Dalat lets you see main sights and relax. For Phong Nha, plan at least 2 full days: one for Paradise and Dark Cave (or a combination tour), and another for either Hang En hike or chilling in Bong Lai valley. Add more days if you want Son Doong (4+ days required).

Q: Is motorbiking safe for solo travelers?

• The road is paved but can be winding and dark at night. Solo riders should be confident in traffic rules and night riding. Always wear a helmet and follow local customs (some police checkpoints may inspect papers).
  Many travelers rent with Incheon Group or Happy Riders, which provide decent bikes and helmets.

Q: Any hidden costs or tips?

• Vietnam often adds a small “service fee” or “boat fee” hidden in tours. Always clarify with the office if boat rides or equipment are extra. For example, entering Paradise Cave doesn’t include a motorized cart - those go for 60-350k VND depending on group size. Also, tipping is optional but appreciated by drivers and guides.

Hopefully this guide arms you for an epic south‑to‑north Vietnam trek. From pine‑fringed Dalat up to the mysterious caves of Phong Nha, the journey brims with landscapes and surprises. Safe travels and enjoy every twist in the road!