Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park (2003, Extended 2015). One Of The Oldest Karst Regions In Asia, With Over 300 Caves Including Son Doong, The Largest Known Cave In The World. Phong Nha Cave And Paradise Cave Are The Accessible Show Caves. · Phong Nha, Quang Binh

Phong Nha-Ke Bang is a karst national park in Quang Binh province on the Laos border, listed by UNESCO in 2003 and one of the oldest limestone regions in Asia. Beneath the jungle ridges lie more than 300 caves, among them Son Doong, the largest known cave in the world. Most visitors use the village of Son Trach as a base, about an hour from Dong Hoi, and see two show caves: Phong Nha Cave, entered by boat on the Son River, and Paradise Cave (Thien Duong), a vast dry chamber reached by a long wooden walkway. Beyond them are Dark Cave with its zipline and mud bath, wild river treks and the war relics of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The area is rural, quiet and spread out, and flooding in autumn can close caves for days. Plan around the weather, and book the caves with a real operator. Most travellers arrive by flight from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City into Dong Hoi, or on a slow night train or bus from Hanoi of about 10 to 12 hours. Rooms are simple, food is local, and nights are very quiet, with little nightlife.

Karst park on the Laos border in Quang Binh, entered from Son Trach village about 50 km north-west of Dong Hoi, with show caves reached by boat, Phong Nha, Quang Binh, Vietnam

The show caves open daily from morning to mid afternoon, with ticket and boat counters closing earlier than the park gates, so arrive before noon. Phong Nha Cave boats stop when the river rises. Paradise Cave and Dark Cave run similar day hours. Son Doong and Hang En operate only on scheduled multi-day tours. After heavy rain caves can close with no notice, so confirm at your guesthouse each morning.

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