Dong Hoi
A coastal city in Central Vietnam and the usual base for trips to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and its limestone caves.
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Dong Hoi is a coastal city in Quang Binh province, Central Vietnam. Most travelers use it as a base for Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its limestone mountains and cave systems. The city has a station on the Reunification Express railway and an airport with direct flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Most visitors come for the caves, which lie inland, and then spend a few days by the sea. Day trips from town are the usual way to reach the park, so the beach works best as a rest stop after the caves. Plan at least two or three nights to cover one cave trip and time at the beach. The dry months, roughly February to August, suit most trips. From October to December, flooding can close roads and disrupt tours, so check conditions before you book.
Dong Hoi in five
- Fly in, or take the Reunification ExpressThe tourism board lists direct flights to Dong Hoi from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and trains from north and south arrive at Dong Hoi station on the Reunification Express line.
- Transfer to Phong Nha by metered taxi or busA local metered taxi is the easiest way from Dong Hoi to the Phong Nha village. Budget travelers can use buses from Hanoi, Hue or Da Nang, and day visitors should hire a motorbike or car inside the park.
- Schedule caves for April to JuneThe tourism board calls April to June fantastic for Phong Nha. July to September runs hotter, October to December is rainy with flooding risk, and December to February is cold enough for extra layers.
- Take the DMZ with a licensed guideThe UK advice lists central Vietnam as a landmine and unexploded-weapons risk area. The DMZ guide covers the sites on Highway 1 north of the city and how to visit them safely.Demilitarised Zone
- Landing on an e-visa? Dong Hoi is a designated gateE-visa holders must enter through designated border gates, and Dong Hoi airport is on the official list. Check your entry point before you book.Vietnam e-visa and exemption
Need to know
- Airport
- Dong Hoi (VDH), with flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City
- Getting there
- Reunification Express station in town; buses from Hanoi, Hue and Da Nang
- Getting around
- Metered taxi, motorbike or car hire; taxi or bus to Phong Nha
- Best base
- Dong Hoi for the beach; Phong Nha village for the caves
- Time needed
- 1 night in town; 2 to 3 around the park
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain20 rainy daysHigh22°Low18°Cold, drizzleJanuaryRain
Good
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 131 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, drizzle
- FebruaryRain16 rainy daysHigh23°Low19°CoolFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 107 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool
- MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh26°Low21°MildMarchRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Warm, dryAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 75 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, dry
- MayRain16 rainy daysHigh32°Low26°Hot, good cavesMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 113 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, good caves
- JunePartly cloudy10 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh34°Low27°Hot, dryJunePartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 79 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, dry
- JulyRain14 rainy daysHigh32°Low27°HottestJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 196 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest
- AugustRain15 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low27°HotAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 181 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot
- SeptemberRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Rains, stormsSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 430 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains, storms
- OctoberRain26 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Rainy, floodsOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 775 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy, floods
- NovemberRain23 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°FloodsNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 432 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Floods
- DecemberRain23 rainy daysHigh22°Low19°Rain, coldDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 288 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, cold
Average daily high and low in Dong Hoi, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Dong Hoi
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 30°
- Humidity
- 91%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Dong Hoi
04:18 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today27°24°100%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 27°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed29°24°100%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu29°24°92%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Fri29°24°87%Friday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 87%.
- Sat29°24°92%Saturday: Rain. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Sun28°23°99%Sunday: Rain. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 99%.
Updated 12:47 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 25,787 VND
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Parkby metered taxi or bus from the cityA limestone park with some 300 caves, river boats and eco trails.Read the guide
- Demilitarised Zonenorth along Highway 1The Ben Hai River crossing, Vinh Moc tunnels and Truong Son National Cemetery.Read the guide
- Huesouth along Highway 1The imperial Citadel and the emperors' tombs on the Perfume River.Read the guide
Before you go to Dong Hoi
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Rules for Dong Hoi, checked
- E-visa holders must enter and exit through designated gates, and the list includes Dong Hoi and Cha Lo border gates in Quang Binh.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Dong Hoi
Hien Luong Bridge, Vinh Moc tunnels and cemetery
Read the guidePhong Nha-Ke BangCaves, river boats and Son Doong
Read the guideHueImperial capital to the south along Highway 1
Read the guideDa NangBeach city and airport hub further south
Read the guideCentral VietnamCoast, heritage towns and mountain roads
Read the guideBest time to visit VietnamFloods and storm season by region
Read the guideVietnam e-visa and exemptionWho needs an e-visa and how to apply
Read the guideAll of VietnamEntry, seasons, regions and money
Read the guideDong Hoi FAQ
Is Dong Hoi worth visiting?
As a base for caves, yes, and as a beach stop for a night. It is a practical city with an airport, a train station and beaches, not a long list of sights. Skip it if you will stay at Phong Nha village.
How do you get from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha?
The easiest way is a local metered taxi, according to the tourism board. Buses also run, and travelers who want to explore the park for a day should hire a motorbike or car at the destination.
Is there an airport in Dong Hoi?
Yes, Dong Hoi airport has direct flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and it is a designated gate for e-visa holders. The Reunification Express also stops at Dong Hoi station.
When is the best time to visit Dong Hoi and Phong Nha?
April to June is the tourism board's pick for Phong Nha. October to December is rainy with flooding, and December to February is cold, so pack extra layers.
Should you stay in Dong Hoi or Phong Nha village?
Stay in Dong Hoi for the beach, flights and a city base. Stay in Phong Nha village if the caves are the point, so your mornings start at the park without a transfer.