National park · Vietnam
Phong Nha – Kẻ Bàng National ParkVườn quốc gia Phong Nha – Kẻ Bàng
Treat the park as two trips: the show caves (Phong Nha, Paradise, Dark Cave) need only a ticket at the gate and two nights in Phong Nha town, while the wild caves (Hang Én, Sơn Đoòng, Tú Làn) are permit-only expeditions run by licensed operators, booked months ahead, and only in the dry season.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,233 km²
approximate
Established
2001
Best months
Mar–May
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Vietnam ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Vietnam ↗Crossing streets: walk slowly and steadily; motorbikes flow around you — do not stop or run.
- Vietnam ↗Carry Vietnamese đồng in small notes; many stalls and taxis are cash-only.
- Central Coast ↗September–December is typhoon and flood season on this coast: build a spare day into any plan and check the storm forecast before booking boats, passes or beach nights.
At a glance
- Country
- Vietnam
- Area
- 1,233 km²
- About 123,000 ha of core zone, plus a larger buffer zone; the protected area was enlarged after the 2015 UNESCO extension (check).
- Established
- 2001
- Best months
- Mar–May
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Dong Hoi
Phong Nha – Kẻ Bàng protects one of the oldest karst landscapes in Asia on the Lao border, with hundreds of mapped caves, among them Sơn Đoòng, the largest known cave passage in the world. This page covers the park itself — who may go where, what needs a permit, when the rivers flood, and what the rules are. For the visit itself (transfers, the two-night plan and bags) use the Phong Nha excursion page.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2003Inscribed for geology and landforms; extended in 2015 for its ecosystems and biodiversity.
- ASEAN Heritage ParkListed as an ASEAN Heritage Park (check year).
Size and age
1,233 km² · national park since 2001
About 123,000 ha of core zone, plus a larger buffer zone; the protected area was enlarged after the 2015 UNESCO extension (check).
This page covers the park itself. For the visit — transfers, a day-by-day plan and bags — see Phong Nha – Kẻ Bàng. Nearest base: Dong Hoi.
Why go
- Cave scale you will not find elsewhere: river caves you enter by boat, dry caves with kilometres of walkway, and expedition caves with their own jungles and clouds.
- The show caves are easy for families and older travellers; the adventure caves reward fit walkers who are fine with mud, river crossings and swimming.
- Limestone forest on the Lao border with primates such as the Hà Tĩnh langur and red-shanked douc, though you are far more likely to hear them than see them.
- It is quieter than Hạ Long or Ninh Bình, and the town is small enough to cycle.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctAvoid
- NovAvoid
- DecCaution
- JanCool, often drizzly; show caves open; some expeditions start late in the month
- FebExpedition season opens; Tết week is busy
- MarDry, mild; best cave-trek conditions
- AprWarm and dry; rivers low
- MayHot outside, cool underground; swimming in Dark Cave is pleasant
- JunVery hot (35 °C+ outside); early starts
- JulHot; thunderstorms start; expeditions still run
- AugStorms more frequent; last expedition departures
- SepFlood season begins; wild caves close
- OctPeak floods; roads and the river cave can close for days
- NovFloods and typhoon tails; many caves shut
- DecWater dropping; reopening dates vary each year
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primate calls (langurs, gibbons) at dawn in the forestAll year · Heard far more often than seen. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Butterflies along streamsApr–Jul | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
| Swiftlets and bats at cave mouths at duskMar–Aug | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Cave expedition season (wild caves open)Feb–Aug | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Đồng Hới
Taxi or private car along the Son river road; local buses are irregular.
45–60 min
Open the page →
From Huế
Private car or tourist bus via Đông Hà; night trains and day trains also stop at Đồng Hới.
3.5–4 h
From Hanoi
Fly to Đồng Hới (about 1 h 30), or take the overnight train (about 10–11 h).
Half a day
Open the page →
From Visit plan
Transfers, a two-night plan and what to pack are on the excursion page.
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Phong Nha – Son river | The river cave, Tiên Sơn dry cave above it, boat pier and town. | Open to everyone; tickets at the pier. |
| Western road (Hồ Chí Minh road west branch) | Paradise Cave, the Dark Cave, the botanic garden, Nước Mọoc spring and the route toward the Lao border. | Open sites along the paved road; jungle beyond the sites is guided only. |
| Core expedition zone | Hang Én, Sơn Đoòng, Hang Va and the Tú Làn system in the Tân Hóa area. | Permit only, through licensed operators, dry season only. |
| Buffer villages | Farm stays, cycling roads and river swimming around Phong Nha and Chày Lập. | Open; no park fee. |
Sketch map
- 1Phong Nha town · Town≈17.610, 106.310Map ↗
- 2Phong Nha cave pier · Gate≈17.607, 106.304Boats leave from the town pierMap ↗
- 3Phong Nha cave · Cave≈17.582, 106.283Map ↗
- 4Dark Cave · Cave≈17.565, 106.260Map ↗
- 5Botanic garden · Trail≈17.510, 106.280Map ↗
- 6Paradise Cave · Cave≈17.524, 106.223Map ↗
- 7Hang Én · Cave≈17.470, 106.290Permit areaMap ↗
- 8Sơn Đoòng · Cave≈17.456, 106.287Permit areaMap ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phong Nha cave (river cave) entry | ₫150,000 (≈ US$6) | person | Boat is extra, paid per boat at the pier. |
| Phong Nha cave boat | ₫360,000–550,000 (≈ US$14–25) | boat | Shared between up to about 12–14 people; price by boat size. |
| Paradise Cave entry | ₫250,000 (≈ US$10) | person | Electric cart from the car park is extra. |
| Dark Cave (zip line, mud bath, kayak) | ₫450,000–550,000 (≈ US$18–25) | person | — |
| Hang Én overnight tour (licensed operator) | ₫8,000,000–10,000,000 (≈ US$350–400) | person | Two days, one night camping in the cave; includes permit, guides, porters, food. |
| Sơn Đoòng expedition (licensed operator) | ₫70,000,000–80,000,000 (≈ US$3,000–3,500) | person | Four days; the price includes the park permit, safety team, porters and camp. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Show caves (Phong Nha, Paradise, Tiên Sơn, Dark Cave) no permit
Adventure caves (Hang Én, Tú Làn, Hang Va, Sơn Đoòng) permit or guide
Jungle trails and the core zone permit or guide
Park rules
- Drones
- Flying needs prior permission from the park and local authorities; do not fly in or near caves (check).check
- Guides
- Required for adventure caves and for any trail in the core zone; the show caves are self-guided.
- Camping
- Only at designated sites on licensed tours; no independent camping in the park.
- Touching formations
- Do not touch stalactites or rimstone; oils stop growth. Stay on boardwalks in the show caves.
- Collecting
- No taking of rocks, plants or animals; hunting and wildlife trade are criminal offences.
Where to stay
Near the park
Phong Nha town (Sơn Trạch)
Guesthouses, hostels and river-view hotels; the base for everything.
Near the park
Farm stays on the Chày river
Bungalows 5–15 km out; bikes to borrow, quieter nights.
In the park
Expedition camps
Only on licensed Hang Én, Tú Làn or Sơn Đoòng trips; tents and cooks provided.
Safety
Flash floods in caves and streams high
Heat on the approach walks medium
Leeches in the wet months low
Unexploded ordnance off-trail medium
Accessibility
- Phong Nha cave: boat boarding needs a step down; the dry section has some steps. Doable with help for limited mobility.
- Paradise Cave: electric carts cover the approach, but the stair climb to the entrance (about 500 steps) and the cave stairs rule out wheelchairs.
- Adventure caves need full fitness, swimming and scrambling.
Visiting lightly
- Book adventure caves only with licensed operators; unlicensed 'secret cave' trips break the law and damage formations.
- Carry out all rubbish from camps and caves; single-use plastic is discouraged on licensed tours.
- Stay and eat in the buffer villages so tourism income reaches families who used to depend on logging and hunting.
Questions people ask
Can I visit Sơn Đoòng without a tour?
No. Entry is by permit only, and permits are issued only through the single licensed operator for the cave. Expeditions run roughly February to August and sell out months in advance; you also need to pass a fitness check.
Is there a cheaper taste of the wild caves?
Yes. Hang Én (two days) and the Tú Làn trips (one to four days) cost a fraction of Sơn Đoòng and still need real fitness, but no ropes. They also need a licensed operator and a permit.
Do I need a guide for Paradise Cave or the river cave?
No. Buy tickets on the day. A guide adds context, but the show caves are signed and lit.
What happens if it floods while I am there?
The park closes affected caves and roads, sometimes for several days. Licensed operators cancel or reschedule expeditions; ask about their flood refund rule before you pay.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go