Phong Nha to Tam Coc | Vietnam Journey 2025

As I finally rolled into Phong Nha after weeks tracing Vietnam’s coastline, the promise of underground wonders had me buzzing with excitement. Located within most famous national park of Vietnam - Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, this area feels like nature’s private playground and I can’t wait to tell you all about it.
Phong Nha became famous due to the rise of Son Doong cave (largest cave in the world) as a top tourist attraction in Vietnam for adventure travelers.

P.S Check out our travel guide if you are travelling the reverse route i.e Tam Coc to Phong Nha!

Must-See Caves and Tickets

Gearing up at the park entrance, you’ll pay 150,000 VND (about $6 USD) for a ticket to Phong Nha Cave, and then hire a shared boat (360,000 VND total) to glide up the Son River-splitting costs between up to 12 adventurers makes it surprisingly wallet-friendly.

Boats run from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM, giving you plenty of daylight for that Instagram-perfect shot.

For an extra hour of spelunking magic, tack on the Tiên Sơn Cave extension: admission is 80,000 VND, and the joint boat fare for both caves runs 400,000 VND round-trip.

Up for a little more adrenaline? The Dark Cave (Hang Tối) tour throws in a zipline, mud bath, kayak, and headlamp-led trek-all for around 450,000 VND per person on the full-access package. Operating hours here are also 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

The Grand Palace Beneath the Earth: Paradise Cave

Just a 30-minute drive down a bumpy jungle road sits Paradise Cave, a dry cave dubbed the longest in Vietnam. Entry is 250,000 VND for adults and 125,000 VND for children (1.1-1.3 m tall), free under 1.1 m. It opens from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily, and you can opt for a handy golf buggy (from 15,000 VND one-way) if you’d rather save your energy for exploring inside.

Hidden Gems Beyond the Mainstream

If you’ve ticked off the headline caves and crave something off the beaten track, Phong Nha has you covered.

Phong Nha Botanical Garden
Few travelers venture here, which makes the Botanical Garden feel delightfully untamed. Trails meander through rare flora, waterfalls, and secret swimming holes. Entry is just 40,000 VND for adults, 20,000 VND for kids, free for under 1.1 m, and it’s open from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM.

Moọc Spring
A natural water park awaits at Moọc Spring, where you can swim, kayak, or zipline across turquoise pools. Standard admission is 180,000 VND, and children 1.1-1.3 m pay 100,000 VND; under 1.1 m get in free. It’s open 8:00 AM-4:00 PM, so plan to linger into the golden afternoon light.

Hitting the Road: Phong Nha to Tam Coc

Leaving the jungle for rice paddies, my next stop was the legendary Tam Coc in Ninh Bình Province.

Getting There

You have two main options:

• Direct bus: Book via 12go.asia or a local agency. Fares start around USD 8 (≈ 200,000 VND), with the journey taking 6-10 hours depending on traffic.

• Overnight sleeper bus: For the budget-savvy, Hung Thanh runs a 9:00 PM departure from Phong Nha, arriving at Ninh Bình by 4:00 AM. Tickets cost 275,000 VND and save you a night’s accommodation.

Once you hit Ninh Bình city, Tam Coc is a quick 7 km taxi or Grab ride away (around 150k-200k VND).

Tam Coc: Vietnam’s “Land Halong Bay”

I’ll never tire of that postcard-perfect scene: narrow wooden boats drifting beneath towering limestone karsts. Tam coc boat tour is a must do activity in Vietnam if you are on a budget but still wanna have some adventure!

Boat Tours & Tickets

There are two ways to approach Tam Coc:

• Packaged boat tour:

• 250,000 VND per adult

• 120,000 VND for children 1-1.3 m

• Free for under 1 m

• Covers entrance and a 2-hour round-trip ride

• Operating hours: 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM

• DIY approach:

• 120,000 VND for an entrance ticket

• 150,000 VND per boat (max 4 Vietnamese or 2 foreigners)

• Flexibility and solitude guaranteed

You’ll glide through three caves - Ca, Hai, and Ba-each offering its own cave-fresh breeze and surreal stalactite galleries.
Another option is Trang An boat tour which is as good as Tam Coc. Some people prefer one over the other so it is totally subjective. I liked them both!

Beyond the Rowing Path

Don’t just stay in your boat! Rent a bike or Grab a motorbike to explore nearby treasures:

Hang Mua Viewpoint
Climb ~500 steep steps for a panoramic vista of the Ngo Dong River snaking through emerald paddies.

• Admission: 100,000 VND (free for under 1 m)

• Parking: 10,000 VND for bikes

• Hours: 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM - go at sunrise or just before sunset for epic light

Thai Vi Temple & Bich Dong Pagoda
Many tours loop in these medieval pagodas, where moss-covered statues and river caves whisper centuries-old legends. They’re included in some Tam Coc ticket packages, so check your details.

Final Tips & Local Flavor

• When to go: Peak rice season is May-June, while November-April offers cooler, drier weather-ideal for hiking and photos.

• What to pack: Sturdy water-resistant footwear, quick-dry shirts, sunscreen, and a waterproof phone case for cave kayaking.

• Where to eat:

• In Phong Nha, try lemongrass-grilled venison at Phong Nha Farmstay.

• In Tam Coc, sample cơm cháy (crispy rice) with goat meat at local stalls.

Whether you’re spelunking under Quảng Bình’s karsts or drifting through Ninh Bình’s river canyons, this stretch from Phong Nha to Tam Coc encapsulates Vietnam’s breathtaking diversity. Pack your sense of wonder-and get ready for an adventure you won’t forget!