​Phong Nha to Ha Long Bay | Vietnam Travel 2025

You have finally rolled into Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park which home to some of the most jaw-dropping caves on the planet including the largest cave in the world Hang Son Doong.

Whether you’re a budget backpacker or a hardcore spelunker, here’s your casual, insider guide to exploring Phong Nha before heading on to the most famous attraction of Vietnam - The Halong Bay.

Getting to Phong Nha from Dong Hoi

Most travelers fly into Dong Hoi (VDH), then hop on the local bus: it leaves Dong Hoi Post Office every hour from 5:30 AM to 5 PM, takes about 1.5 hours and drops you right opposite the Phong Nha Boat Station for roughly 70,000 VND ($3) per person.

For extra freedom, rent a motorbike in town for about 100,000 VND/day plus petrol (~50,000 VND) and carve your own path through rice paddies and jungle roads. Just watch out for water buffalo crossings!

Caving Essentials: Tickets, Times & Insider Tips

Viewpoint on Path Leading to Tien Son Cave in Phong Nha

Phong Nha Cave & Tien Son Cave

• Entrance Fee: 150,000 VND (~$7) per adult; children under 1.3 m go free

• Boat Access: Shared boat on the Son River is 360,000 VND (~$15) per boat (up to 12 pax)

• Optional Add-on Tien Son: 80,000 VND ($4) entrance; combined boat ticket drops to 400,000 VND ($17) for both caves

• Hours: 7:30 AM - 4 PM daily

• Insider Tip: Arrive at the opening to dodge crowds, and ask local guides to point you toward the secret side path as there are no sign boards leading to a hidden viewpoint just off the main trail.

Paradise Cave

Dubbed Vietnam’s “fairy land”, Paradise Cave is Asia’s longest dry cave at over 31 km, but the public walkable section is an easy 1 km stroll.

• Entrance Fee:

• Adults: 250,000 VND ($8.60)

• Kids (1.1-1.3 m): 125,000 VND ($4.30)

• Under 1.1 m: Free

• Hours: 8 AM-5 PM

• Pro Tip: Pack a light jacket-the temperature dips to around 17 °C inside the Paradise cave. And don’t skip the bamboo golf cart ride from the parking lot, it’s a fun twist!

Dark Cave (Hang Toi) Adventure

If mud baths and ziplines are your jam, Dark Cave delivers:

• Hours: 7:30 AM - 4 PM

• Pro Tip: Rent your GoPro at the ticket office so you don’t have to lug yours. Most people share footage and swap SD cards later!

Off-the-Beaten-Path in Phong Nha

 a Beautiful Waterfall in Phong Nha Botanic Garden

Botanical Garden Forest Walk

This “secret garden of Phong Nha” is a 3-route jungle loop with streams and mini waterfalls.

• Entrance: 40,000 VND

• Bike Parking: 5,000 VND

Routes:

• Route 1: Waterfall only (~40 min)

• Route 2: Lake + waterfall (~1.5 hr)

• Route 3: Extended jungle trek (~3 hr)

Route 2 strikes the best balance between scenery and sweat, with a perfect swimming spot before the cascade.
It all depends on how the weather is too. If it's too hot, just do the shorter one.
Not many people visit here surprisingly (am not sure why) but it is actually quite a good and underrated place in Phong Nha!

Mooc Spring Eco-Park

A splashy Phong Nha water park tucked in the jungle, complete with cable swings and lazy river.

• Admission:

• Adults: 180,000 VND ($7)

• Kids (1.1-1.3 m): 100,000 VND ($4)

• Under 1.1 m: Free

Activities include kayaking, rope bridges, and local eats.

Hidden Gem: Swing into the emerald water from the rickety bamboo platform-thrill factor off the charts.

Vegan Eats & Homestay Vibes

Phong Nha Vegan Restaurant

• Phong Nha Vegan Restaurant: Try the mango coconut smoothie - almost every foreign tourist we met in Phong Nha loved it and personally I think it’s one of the best in Vietnam!

• Tien’s Cosy Homestay: Clean budget rooms + free simple breakfast, right on the night-bus stop. I loved their insanely strong Vietnamese coffee every morning.

The Northern Leg: Phong Nha → Ha Long Bay

Walking Street of Hanoi Old Quarter

Dong Hoi to Hanoi

Your fastest option is an overnight train -1st Class Sleeper tickets start around $30 for an 11 hr journey. Buses run daily for about 450,000 VND ($19) in VIP sleeper class, taking 8-9 hrs.

Hanoi to Halong Bay

Most folks roll into Hanoi Old Quarter, then:

• Shuttle Bus: VND 180,000-300,000 ($8-$13) one-way, 2.5 hrs door-to-door

• Limousine/Minivan: $7-$12, 2-3 hrs, plenty of daily departures from My Dinh/Gia Lam stations

• Seaplane: 45 min from $175 one-way, landing at Tuan Chau for stunning aerial views

Traveler Tip: Book shuttle buses at least 2 days ahead-seats sell out, especially on weekends and holidays.

Ha Long Bay: Cruising the Limestone Dream

View From a Cruise Ship Docked in Halong Bay, Vietnam

Day Cruises for Every Budget

Overnight & Multi-Day Adventures

• Budget 2D/1N: From $70-$100, cabin + full board + cave visits + kayaking

• Luxury 3D/2N: $290-$334 for top-tier vessels with spa, cooking demos, Bai Tu Long Bay detours

Hidden Corners & Local Flavour

Cua Van Floating Village in Halong

• Cua Van Floating Village: Drop anchor among wooden fish farms, sip coconut tea, chat with local fishermen. Bookable for ~$20 extra on many cruises

• Kayaking: Glide through sea tunnels and into emerald lagoons-standalone tours from $47 include snacks & port transfer

• Titov Island: Climb 400 steps for panoramic bay views, then plunge into jade waters-entry 60,000 VND ($2.50)

Swing by Lan Ha Bay near Cat Ba for fewer boats and more untouched karst landscapes. It’s way less touristy than Halong bay and I personally liked it more!

Pro Tips & Packing Must-Haves

• When to Go: March-May and September-November are sweet spots-clear skies, mild temps

• What to Pack: Quick-dry clothes, sturdy sandals, headlamp (for cave walks), reef-safe sunscreen

• Cash vs. Card: Most cave and bus ticket kiosks only take cash. ATMs in Phong Nha can run dry, so stock up in Dong Hoi or Hanoi

• Respect the Environment: Stick to marked paths, don’t litter in caves or bays-locals rely on sustainable tourism