Why everyone stays in Phong Nha Backpacker Hostel?

I hit Phong Nha (Quang Bình) after a month of biking and buses up the coast of Vietnam. Located in the vast Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003), this area boasts 300+ caves including Paradise Cave and the world’s largest cave, Son Doong.

Phong Nha Central Backpacker Hostel is a classic “backpacker hub” which was our base camp. It’s a quiet compound just outside town, with an open-air bar/restaurant, free Wi-Fi and air-conditioned rooms (even the dorms), plus a 24-hr reception, tour desk and luggage storage. 
The owners serve a simple hot breakfast (banh mi and fruit) each morning, which keeps the crowds fed and social.

In short, it’s clean and family-run, with cheap dorms/privates (around 150k-300k VND/night) and a social vibe - perfect if you want to meet other travelers or easily book cave tours and buses (the hostel’s tour desk often offers better rates than booking sites).

Top Things to Do Around Phong Nha

• Explore the Caves: A trip here isn’t complete without cave tours. Phong Nha Cave (boat trip on the Son River) has an entrance fee of ~150,000 VND/adult; you must also hire a boat (~550,000 VND per boat, split among ~12 people) to reach the cave mouth.
  

Paradise Cave in Phong Nha

Paradise Cave (Thiên Đường) is another must-see. It’s walk-in (about 1 km on paved paths) with an entrance ticket ~250,000 VND.

If you’re feeling adventurous, the nearby Dark Cave (Hang Tối) offers ziplines and a muddy swim - a full adventure package (~kayaking, zipline, mud bath) costs about 450,000 VND per adult (high season price). (Note: in low season this can drop to ~180,000 VND.

For veteran cavers, multi-day treks to Hang En or Son Doong are possible via tour outfits like Oxalis or Jungle Boss (Hang En tours start around $150+, Son Doong expeditions run ~$3000 and require booking months in advance).

Mooc Spring in Phong Nha National Park

• Mooc Spring (“Emerald Spring”): About 40 km northwest of Phong Nha town (toward the Ho Chi Minh Trail), this secretive emerald pool is “like a paradise on Earth,” even featured in Kong: Skull Island.
  
  There’s a modest entrance fee (~80,000 VND) to the Moọc Spring nature park and optional packages (~180,000 VND) that include kayaking to a wild “spring bathing” area. The turquoise water and jungle setting feel like a hidden gem - a great place to cool off.
  

Phong Nha Botanic Garden Mini Waterfall

• Botanic Garden (Wind Waterfall): A short bike ride or shuttle east of town leads to the Phong Nha Botanical Garden. It’s really a jungle park with hiking paths and a waterfall. Trails range from 30 min to 3 hr through tropical forest.
  
  Entrance is only 40,000 VND (open ~7:30 am-4 pm). Bring good shoes - the falls are a nice reward and you can even swim in pools under the cascade.
  

Chay Lap Riverside Kayaking

• Kayaking & Local Trails: We rented a double kayak at Chay Lap Riverside (downriver from the town) and paddled along the Chay River through rice paddies and villages. It was surprisingly peaceful - we even paddled most of the way to the Phong Nha Cave mouth (note you can’t enter the cave by kayak alone).
  
  This DIY river trip was a highlight and a great budget activity. The hostel can hook you up with kayak rentals or sign you up for guided kayak tours if you prefer.

• Cultural Stops: Make a quick visit to the Eight Ladies Cave memorial (near the river dock) - it’s a shrine to eight Vietnamese women soldiers who died in a US bombing in 1972.
  
  It’s a poignant piece of history right by Phong Nha town. Also consider cycling out to local Phong Nha homestays in the rice fields for an authentic meal (Chay Lap Farmstay is a popular nearby option).

• Nearby Villages & Trails: If you have a motorbike or cycle, ride through the green Bong Lai rice valley (ten minutes east) for scenic countryside views and quiet village roads.
  
  The Yeu Cave (Ecological Park) and local markets are other offbeat stops if you have extra time.

How to Get There

• From Dong Hoi: Phong Nha is ~45 km west of Dong Hoi city. Many travelers fly into Dong Hoi Airport (flights from Hanoi, Saigon), then take the local B4 bus west to Phong Nha.
  
  The B4 departs roughly hourly from ~5:30 am to 5:30 pm, costs about 50,000 VND and takes ~1-1.5 hours. Taxis or Grab cars are also available from Dong Hoi (approx 500,000 VND).

• From Hue: Buses from Hue take ~4-4.5 hours and cost around $10. Companies like Hung Thanh or Queen Cafe run sleeper buses directly to Phong Nha.
  
  Alternatively, take a train south to Dong Hoi (3h, ~$6) and then the local bus or taxi to Phong Nha.

• From Da Nang/Hoi An: There are direct sleeper buses (around 5-6 hours) that stop in Phong Nha. From Hanoi or further north, many backpackers either train to Dong Hoi or take an overnight bus.

Once you arrive in Phong Nha town, the hostel is about 10 min by taxi/motorbike from the village center (or 15-20 min on foot along quiet roads). The ride winds past lakes and limestone cliffs - quite scenic.

Central Backpackers Hostel in Phong Nha Is One of the Liveliest Places in Town

Costs & Booking Tips

• Hostel Rooms: Dorm beds run roughly 150,000-200,000 VND per night; private double rooms about 300k-350k VND. (Reviews show an average price around €7-8 for a bunk.) The hostel is clean and basic - AC in most rooms, lockers available, towels rental, etc. Book ahead during peak season (Feb-Aug) on sites like Hostelworld or directly on their website. 
  
  Budget tip: check if you can score a deal for a longer stay or last-minute.

• Transport: Inside Phong Nha, you can rent a bicycle (~50k VND/day) or motorbike (~120-150k VND/day) at the hostel to explore nearby spots.
  The hostel can also book onward buses (to Ninh Bình/Hanoi, etc) for you, often cheaper than booking online.

• Cave & Park Fees: Entry to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is ~80,000 VND (see NP info), but main tourist sites charge separately. Paradise Cave is 250k VND/adult. Phong Nha Cave is 150k + boat 550k (though split).
  
  Dark Cave zipline adventure ~450k VND. Moọc Springs national park 80k (packages ~180k).
  Botanical Garden 40k. Keep
  Vietnamese cash on hand to pay these fees at the gate.

• Tour Packages: If you don’t want to DIY, the hostel’s tour desk and many operators (Oxalis, Jungle Boss, Phong Nha Farmstay) run combo tours: e.g. Paradise + Dark Cave day tours (~$20-25USD with gear and lunch), or multi-cave boat tours.
  
  Group tours often end up cheaper per person. For big expeditions (Hang En, Son Doong) book 6+ months in advance through official operators.
  

Banh Mi Served in a Local Restaurant of Phong Nha

• Meals & Extras: Eating is cheap. The hotel's restaurant serves breakfast and simple meals (noodles, rice dishes) for ~$1-2.
  
  Street food stalls around town offer great banh mi (10-20k VND) and local rice plates. Beer is about 20-30k VND (cheap local lager). There’s no need to splurge; budget ~$10-15/day for food and extras.

• Booking Tips: If traveling in the wet season (mid-Sep to mid-Nov), be warned that heavy rains can flood rivers and some cave tours may close.
  
  Check forecasts - the Oxalis travel site advises avoiding tours during floods. For holidays (Tet, Labor Day, etc), book transport well in advance.
  Otherwise, just arrive and use the hostel’s info desk - they handle bookings efficiently (and can often waive online booking fees).
  

Phong Nha Backpacker Hostel

FAQ

• Is Phong Nha Backpacker Hostel a party hostel?
  It’s friendly and social (the bar area is lively in the evenings), but it’s not a raucous party factory like ones you’d find in Bangkok or Bali. Solo travelers rave about meeting people here.
  
  There’s a chill-out pool table and regular dinner nights. Note: if you need total quiet, bring earplugs - some dorms have only half-walls and sound carries.

• What amenities are included?
  The hostel has free high-speed Wi-Fi (good in common areas and most rooms), air-con, clean shared bathrooms and hot water.
  
  They provide lockers for valuables and laundry services. A free breakfast (Vietnamese/Asian style) is included daily.
  
  There’s a small shop/bar onsite for snacks, coffee and beer.

• How do I book tours or buses?
  Definitely use the hostel’s tour desk - the staff can bundle tours (Paradise/Dark Cave, boat trips, jeep treks) and bus tickets (to Dong Hoi, Hà Nội, Huế, etc.) at good rates.
  
  Many travelers in our group found it cheaper than booking online. For big cave expeditions (Hang En, Son Doong), you should book through the approved operators months in advance, but for day trips it’s easy on-site.

• What should I pack?
  Bring swimwear and a towel for waterfalls and the Dark Cave’s muddy swim. A good headlamp or flashlight is handy for jungle walks (though guided tours provide lights for caves).
  
  Sturdy shoes (hiking sandals or sneakers) are a must for trekking trails. Insect repellent and sunscreen are essentials here. A rain jacket is wise if traveling Sept-Nov, as sudden showers are common.

• When is the best time to visit?
  The dry season (February-August) offers the best cave conditions and sunny weather.
  As noted, mid-Sept to mid-Nov is monsoon time - expect occasional flooding and some tours (especially kayak/river trips) may be suspended.
  
  If you do come in the wet season, most attractions are still open, just check locally if the rivers are high. Busy months (like summer) require booking tours/hotels earlier.

• Any hidden tips?
  Yes! Eat at little street-side joints - the hostel staff can point you to local favorites (like cơm nắm sticky rice or bún bò Huế). Don’t overlook small caves like Tiên Sơn (Dry Cave) a short walk from Phong Nha cave; it’s only 80k VND and uncrowded.
  
  And after a day of spelunking, relax by grabbing a freshly-squeezed sugarcane juice or coconut at a riverside stand. Finally, chat with the hostel owners - they’re local experts and often give the best insider tips!