Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
Come for river-cut caves, boat trips into limestone caves and jungle walks in Central Vietnam.
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Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is a karst park in Quang Binh Province, Central Vietnam, close to the Laos border. Rivers have cut long cave systems through its limestone, and the park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dong Hoi, the nearest city, is the usual base, though some visitors stay in village homestays closer to the caves.
Phong Nha Cave is toured by boat on its river. Paradise Cave has a walkway through its rock formations. Son Doong, one of the largest known cave passages in the world, is reached only on guided expeditions that must be booked months ahead. Two or three days covers the main caves and a jungle walk. March to May is the dry season and the best time to go. September to December brings floods that can close caves and roads. The park suits travelers who want caves and karst scenery more than a beach trip.
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in five
- Check your e-visa or exemption before you flyEntry rules depend on your passport. Confirm them on the official Vietnam e-visa portal, and save a copy of any approval offline.Visas and entry
- Book Son Doong through a licensed operatorSon Doong trips are limited in number each year and run by licensed operators. Book months ahead, since you cannot simply turn up in Quang Binh and join one.
- Carry an International Driving Permit for motorbikesPolice stop riders at roadside checks, and riding without a valid International Driving Permit can lead to a fine. Check that your travel insurance covers motorbike riding before you rent one.Insurance for a Phong Nha trip
- Carry Vietnamese dong in small notesCards work at larger hotels and tour offices. Homestays, food stalls and village guides usually take cash, so keep small dong notes for them.
- Stay on marked paths in the hillsQuang Binh was heavily bombed during the Vietnam War, and unexploded ordnance still turns up in fields and hillsides. Stay on marked paths and leave any metal object or shell alone.
Things to do in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
See all attractions in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
Need to know
- Currency
- Vietnamese dong (VND)
- Entry
- E-visa or visa exemption, by passport; check the official portal Read more
- Emergency
- 113 police, 114 fire, 115 ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected; a small tip for a guide is appreciated
- Time
- UTC+7, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain20 rainy daysHigh22°Low18°Cool, dampJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 131 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, damp
- FebruaryRain16 rainy daysHigh23°Low19°Cool, drizzleFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 107 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, drizzle
- MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh26°Low21°Dry season startsMarchRain
Good
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry season starts
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Hot, dry, clearAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 75 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry, clear
- MayRain16 rainy daysHigh32°Low26°Hot, dry, clearMayRain
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 113 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry, clear
- JunePartly cloudy10 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh34°Low27°Hot, busyJunePartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 79 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, busy
- JulyRain14 rainy daysHigh32°Low27°Hot, humidJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 196 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- AugustRain15 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low27°Hot, stormsAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 181 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, storms
- SeptemberRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Flood season startsSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 430 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Flood season starts
- OctoberRain26 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Flood riskOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 775 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Flood risk
- NovemberRain23 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Flood riskNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 432 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Flood risk
- DecemberRain23 rainy daysHigh22°Low19°Rain, coolerDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 288 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, cooler
Average daily high and low in Phong Nha village, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
23
- Feels like
- 26°
- Humidity
- 100%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
06:44 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today28°22°100%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed29°22°100%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu30°22°100%Thursday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Fri28°22°68%Friday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 68%.
- Sat28°22°67%Saturday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 67%.
- Sun25°22°98%Sunday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Mon23°16°100%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 23°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated 04:17 AM local time · 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 Cave by boata half-day trip from the villageA river journey into a cave lit with colored lights, reached from the village.
- Paradise Cavea half-day tripWooden walkways lead down into large connected chambers.
- Bong Lai valley loopa half-day by bicycleA 15 km loop of farms, viewpoints and swimming holes outside town.
Before you go to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
Rules for Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, checked
- Check the official Vietnam e-visa portal for your passport before you book flights, because entry rules change and depend on nationality.
- Customs rules are strict: drugs and weapons are banned, and wildlife products such as ivory are illegal to bring in. Declare cash and goods on the arrival form.
- Do not remove stones, formations or artefacts from the caves or the park. Rangers and tour guides enforce this.
Plan around Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
Hue, Dong Hoi and the road to Phong Nha
Read the guideGetting around Central VietnamTrains, buses and road transfers to the park
Read the guideVisas and entryE-visa and exemption rules by passport
Read the guideMoney and costsDong, cards, cash for villages and tipping
Read the guideTours and ticketsCave boats, Son Doong and day trips
Read the guideWhere to stayVillage stays and hotels in Dong Hoi
Read the guidePhong Nha-Ke Bang National Park FAQ
How many days do I need in Phong Nha?
Two to three days covers Phong Nha Cave, Paradise Cave and a boat trip on the Son River. Son Doong is a separate multi-day trip.
When is the best time to visit Phong Nha?
March to May is the dry season and the best time to travel. September to December is the flood season, and high water can close caves and roads.
Do I need to book Son Doong in advance?
Yes. Son Doong trips are run by licensed operators in small numbers each year, so book well ahead and confirm what the price includes.
Is there mobile signal in the caves?
Signal drops inside the caves and in the hills. Download offline maps before you leave Dong Hoi, and tell someone your route.
How do I get to Phong Nha from Hue?
Buses and private transfers run from Hue and take several hours by road. Dong Hoi airport (VDH) is the nearest airport, and the park is a road trip from there.