Where To Stay in Phong Nha?

Phong Nha (Quang Bình Province, central Vietnam) is a limestone wonderland of caves and jungle. It can be party-town or back-to-nature depending on where you stay.

In this tour guide I’ll break down Phong Nha’s best accommodations - from budget backpacker hostels to riverside homestays - and share tips on location, amenities, and nearby attractions.

Staying in Phong Nha for 5 days? Check out this crazy Phong Nha cave and you might consider just doing this tour!

Budget Hostels & Social Vibes

• Central Backpackers Hostel (Phong Nha Central) - A lively budget favorite in town. It has a large pool and garden bar, free evening events and a friendly vibe. Guests rave about the “social vibe in the big pool area” and free beer nights.
  
  Dorm beds are cheap, and the hostel includes a free breakfast. Be aware it’s “party central” with many young travellers (or “lots of young drunk Australians” as one review joked), so it’s great if you like meeting people.
  

Green Land Backpackers Hostel in Phong Nha

• Green Land Backpackers (Mountain View) - A top-rated newer hostel a bit further out. It offers free breakfast, a 24/7 swimming pool, regular family-style dinners and even private guided tours to nearby lesser-known caves.
  
  Reviewers love its cleanliness and staff - “really nice clean hostel” with “super friendly” hosts. It’s quieter than Central or Easy Tiger but still social (happy hour drinks nightly).

Riverside & Nature Homestays

Phong Nha Lake House Resort

• Phong Nha Lake House Resort - A mid-range lakefront resort on Dong Son Lake (~15 min drive from town). Spacious bungalows overlook the emerald lake and green hills. Guests highlight the “gorgeous views over the lake” and activities like kayaking and swimming.
  
  The resort has two pools, a restaurant and free kayak rental. It’s calm and family-friendly - perfect for unwinding - but you’ll need a motorbike or car to reach the caves.
  You’ll need to take a driver (or rent a motorbike) to get into Phong Nha town.
  

Little Rock Homestay in Phong Nha

• Little Rock Homestay - A quiet bungalow homestay on the banks of the Son River, about 1.2 mi (~2 km) from town. It has riverside decks with stunning mountain-and-river views.
  
  Little Rock offers free bikes and kayaks on-site, an outdoor pool, and even a sauna and fireplace. The family-run restaurant serves Vietnamese/Western food (with veg-friendly options) and a hearty breakfast. Reviews emphasize its peaceful setting - “so quiet… with a beautiful view overlooking the mountains and the river” - making it a hidden gem for relaxation.
  
  

Nguyen Shack Retreat Near Phong Nha

• Nguyen Shack Retreat - A rustic lakeside farmstay at the entrance to Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park (about 1.7 mi from the village). Bungalows here sit on a working farm by a scenic lake. Travelers describe it as a “lovely, peaceful place” with “beautiful surroundings” (rice paddies, forest and lake).
  
  The owner, Maxim, and family are famed for hospitality: they cook great local food and help guests arrange tours. Every private bungalow has a balcony with lake/mountain views. This is an ideal spot for nature lovers (wildlife sightings are common) and a comfortable alternative to city hotels.

Family-Run Homestays & Inns

an an Homestay Bungalow in Phong Nha

• An An Homestay Bungalow - A top-rated mid-range homestay in the village center (~1.3 km from Phong Nha center). It features garden cottages and an infinity pool overlooking rice fields. The on-site Vietnamese restaurant is very popular (we saw multiple reviews note its tasty vegan options).
  
  Owners Moon and family are praised for their attentiveness. There are free bicycle rentals and help with transfers. In fact, one listing notes it’s only 2 km to the Phong Nha cave boat dock, though Paradise and Dark Caves are farther (see “How far” distances).
  

Tu Tu’s Homestay Near Phong Nha

• TuTu’s Homestay - A well-loved family homestay right in Phong Nha village. TuTu (the owner) goes above and beyond - booking your bus tickets, arranging pick-ups and tours, and even cooking meals on request.
  
  Rooms here are modern and spotless. Reviews call it a “perfect homestay” - one family with kids loved the spacious clean room, nice pool and delicious breakfast. It’s an excellent bet if you want local hospitality and personal care.
  

Phong Nha Green Homestay

• Phong Nha Green Homestay - A budget family guesthouse in town (just minutes from the bus station). It’s famous for its rooftop pool and mountain views. Reviewers rave about “lovely rooms”, an “amazing view”, and the owner “Mr Dat” who will look after you.
  
  For example: “Beautiful swimming pool and the views were amazing… 10/10 stay”. Breakfast is included (guests loved the pancakes and fruit). There are lots of common spaces (upstairs lounge, balconies).
  
  Green Homestay is also very convenient - one review notes it’s a “short walk to where the boats leave for Phong Nha Cave” and right next to restaurants.

Top Nearby Attractions & Tips

Phong Nha’s caves and park draw most visitors. A handy list of key sights, with opening hours and fees:

Phong Nha Cave

• Phong Nha Cave (Dark Cave River entrance) - Open ~7:30-17:00. Adult ticket 150,000 VND ($6); boat ride up Son River ~550k VND (split ~45k VND each). (Note: a separate Dark Cave adventure with zipline, mud bath & kayak is about 450k VND per adult.)

• Paradise Cave (Thien Duong) - Open 8:00-16:00. Entry ~250,000 VND for adults. This is a dry cave reached by road (~22 km north of town). It has wooden walkways and (optional) electric buggies to the entrance.
  

 Watersports Just in Front of Dark Cave in Phong Nha

• Dark Cave (Hang Toi / Chay River) - The adventure combo (zipline through cave, mud bath, kayaking etc.) is ~450,000 VND per adult. Otherwise, the basic entry to swim in the river is ~80k VND. Bring swimwear and a spare shirt for the mud bath!
  

Swimmer Enjoying the Waterfall Pool in Phong Nha Botanic Garden.

• Phong Nha Botanical Garden - Open 8:00-17:30. Entry ~40,000 VND. You can do 1-3 hour jungle treks on marked trails to a waterfall and lake. The garden is about 6 km southwest of Phong Nha village (near the Dong Hoi road).

• Mooc Spring Eco Trail - (A separate water park area with swings and slides). Day pass ~180k VND (including swimming, kayaking). Open 8:00-16:00. Worth a visit if you want swimming and a zipline on the river.

• Getting Around: Most hotels/hostels rent bikes or scooters cheaply. (For example, TuTu’s Homestay has scooters and free bikes, Little Rock provides bikes and kayaks). Motorbikes can be rented in town for ~150k VND/day. Taxis and buses run between Phong Nha and nearby cities (Hue, Dong Hoi). Note: the main boat dock for Phong Nha Cave is in town near Easy Tiger, so central stays are very convenient.
  

Phong Nha Farmstay With Buffalo Grazing the Field

FAQs (Traveler Tips)

• Where should I stay - in town or countryside?
  Phong Nha’s main village strip has most shops, cafes and the Phong Nha Cave boat station. Staying in town (e.g. An An, Green Homestay, Central Backpackers) means easy access to restaurants, tours and the bus station.
  
  Outskirts or farmstays (Little Rock, Nguyen Shack, Lake House) are 2-3 km from town and offer river/lake views and tranquility. Pick a riverside homestay for scenery; pick a town hostel if you want to be in the heart of the action.

• What’s the vibe like?
  Phong Nha has both party hostels and quiet retreats. Central Backpackers and GreenLand are social/party spots with bars and communal areas. In contrast, homestays like Little Rock, TuTu’s and Nguyen Shack are very calm (“quiet part of town… don’t hear any noise”).
  
  Lake House and Victory Road are more resort-style and peaceful. Many places cater to families and solo travellers alike.

• Is it safe and clean?
  Yes. Vietnam is very safe, and Phong Nha hostels/homestays get high marks for cleanliness and service. For example, guests call Little Rock and TuTu “spotless” and “exceptional”, and Green Land “really nice, clean and friendly”.

• What amenities can I expect?
  Most places offer free Wi-Fi and breakfast. Dorm hostels typically include breakfast and some fun extras (Central has free beer and breakfast, Green Land offers free pickup and laundry).
  
  Homestays often include home-cooked breakfasts or optional dinners (TuTu can prepare meals; Little Rock has a restaurant serving breakfast/dinner). Many hosts lend bikes for free. Most provide water (very important in the hot climate).

• How far are the caves and phong nha national park?
  Very close! The Phong Nha cave dock is in town. For example, An An Homestay is only 2 km from the cave boat station. Paradise Cave (Thien Duong) is 22 km by road, so most hotels will help book a tour van or you can rent a bike/car. Dark Cave is ~17 km from town.
  
  The Botanical Garden is ~6-7 km southwest. We recommend staying near the village if you want short drives (as many attractions are reached by tour vans from town).

• Any local food nearby?
  Phong Nha village has plenty of casual eateries and street food. Breakfast banh mi and egg coffee shops line the main road. The homestays often do great Vietnamese breakfasts: Little Rock serves continental/Asian breakfast, TuTu’s and Green Homestay include breakfast (often pancakes, eggs and fruit).
  
  Fresh spring rolls, rice dishes and pho are everywhere in town. Don’t miss local specialties like cháo lươn (eel porridge) at Cua Do Quang Binh.

• Should I join a tour or go DIY?
  Both work. Hostels like Central and GreenLand have travel desks to book group tours (caving, hiking, etc.). Homestays usually have friendly owners who can arrange private jeep tours or bike rentals (TuTu famously helps sort your transport).
  
  If you prefer flexibility, renting a motorbike from town (~150k VND/day) lets you explore independently, though road signs can be sparse.

In summary, Phong Nha offers something for every taste: from party hostels with pool bars to riverfront homestays and lakeside resorts. Wherever you choose, you’ll be within reach of Vietnam’s grandest caves and beautiful countryside.