Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park has 85,754 hectares and straddles the Lao-Vietnam border with Hin Namno Nature Reserve. The national park is a geological wonder, and it has been included as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2003.
The national park provides a natural habitat for nearly 800 vertebrate species, 154 mammal species, 117 reptile species, 58 amphibians, 314 bird species, and 170 fish species.
The terrain is made up of pure nature, with limestone plateaus and tropical woods, and beneath the surface there are a lot of remarkable phenomena, such as underground rivers and cave systems so enormous that they form an adventure world just waiting to be discovered. The best-known are Son Doong, Paradise Cave, Hang En, and Phong Nha Cave. Son Doong Cave, the park’s most popular cave, was first explored in 2009. The cave is considered the world’s largest.
Ecotourism in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park focuses on mountain climbing and trekking to the area’s many caves and grottoes, as well as the ability to see and experience the flora and fauna up close.
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is currently not fully accessible. The location is near the border with Laos, and the park contains one of the world’s biggest concentrations of unexploded bombs. Hiking or trekking through the park is currently not permitted unless accompanied by a licensed tour company.
Large caves and underground rivers
Phong Nha-Ke Bang is noted for its cave and grotto systems, which include over 300 caves and grottoes, many of which remain undiscovered. The primary rivers are the Son River and the Chay River, which have formed the most of the caverns here. Phong Nha-Ke Bang has beautiful streams, springs, and waterfalls, such as Gio waterfall and Madame Loan waterfall.
Son Doong Cave (the world's largest cave)
Son Doong is the national park’s most well-known and frequently visited cave. Ho-Khanh, a local farmer, found the cave in 1991, and it is now regarded the world’s largest cave. Several television stations have visited the cave, helping to promote one of the world’s most significant geological locations.
However, it took nearly 20 years until a team of British researchers from the British Cave Research Association inspected the cave and determined its unique size.
With its amazing size, the Son Doong cave overtakes Malaysia’s Deer Cave. The largest chamber at Son Doong is nearly five kilometers long, 200 meters tall, and 150 meters broad. The cave has only been open to visitors since 2013. A trekking journey to Son Doong provides a magnificent experience of unreal limestone landscapes, wondrous and sculptural stalactite formations hanging surrealistically from the cave ceiling. A jungle in the heart of a cave appears almost unreal; you must see it to believe it.
Tours of 5 days (4 nights) to Son Doong are organized, and while the journey is at a leisurely pace with plenty of time to enjoy the beauty, it requires you to be fit and have prior trekking experience. A 5-day adventure costs US$3000.
Tulan Cave
The Tu Lan Cave cave system is 70 kilometers from Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, near the community of Tan Hoa. Only one firm has the authority to organize trips here, so you get to see the wonderful nature for yourself.
The forest is warm, the river is soothing, and a visit to Tu Lan provides everything a genuine explorer seeks. Entering the mist-shrouded jungle is like entering a mysterious world of underground rivers and cavernous tunnels. Tu Lan Cave welcomes you to both trekking and mountain climbing and three days and 2 nights costs USD 330.
Hang Va
Hang Va was discovered in 2012, and if you wish to see stalactite formations that are claimed to be more exquisite than those in Son Doong, the tour starts with a hike to the cave entry, from which you descend via rope. Following that, other rivers must be crossed. In other words, the plan is for an unforgettable encounter that demands both trekking training and mental preparation for an out-of-the-ordinary natural experience.
Phong Nha Cave
The national park is named after this cave, which is known for its rock formations “Løven”, “Royal Court”, and “Buddha”. The cave system is 7729 kilometers long and includes 14 separate caves, the majority of which were produced by the Chay River. The 14 cave rooms are linked by an underground river that branches out in all directions.
Thien Duong (paradise Cave)
Thien Duong Cave, also known as Paradise Cave, was very recently discovered. Prior to its discovery, Son Doong was thought to be the largest and longest cave in Phong Nha-Ke Bang. Thien Duong contains some of the most stunning and spectacular stalactite formations.
A local man discovered the cave in 2005. The British Cave Research Association investigated the first 5 kilometers of the cave that same year. Later in 2010, over 31 kilometers were investigated. The cave can be up to 100 meters high and 150 meters wide. The British cave researchers were struck with the beauty of the rock formations inside the cave, thus they dubbed it “Paradise Cave”.
Hang En Cave
Hang En Cave is the world’s third largest cave and has swiftly become a “must-see” attraction among Vietnam’s natural wonders. The cave’s immensity astounds and impresses, and with more than 300 million years of history behind it, it is a genuine treasure mine of intriguing fossils and views that can be breathtaking and difficult to describe.
Hang En enjoys VIP status in the national park and has been featured in National Geographic, The New York Times, Lonely Planet, Dailymail, and, most recently, Good Morning America, which reaches over 6 million viewers. The cave also serves as a setting in the Hollywood film Pan (2015).
A two-day excursion into Hang En Cave, including an overnight stay, costs approximately $285 USD.
“Some professional athletes believe that only first place counts – because no one remembers No. 3. – When it comes to caverns, the third largest in the world provides an outstanding experience.
The Hang En cave, located in Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park in Vietnam, is part of the world’s largest cave system.
Going on a hiking excursion in Hang En is not only a physical struggle that will leave you hot, but it is also a look into another planet – a kind of parallel world with its own climate, a wonderful jungle, and turquoise sea on the yellow sand beach. Jo Hang En Cave provides a little of everything.
Hang En, located in Quang Binh province in central Vietnam, is a massive cave with a width of more than 1 ½ football fields and 100 meters in height.
A tour to Hang En entails walking narrow routes inside the limestone cave and along and in the underground rivers.
While the world’s largest cave, Son Doong Cave, is an expensive delight to try your hand at, Hang En is less expensive while maintaining a level of challenge that most adventurers can handle.
Our posted video reporter made this video from Hang En.”
Program
- 2 & 3 days
- Private tour
- Phong Nha Cave
08:30 – 11.30: We will get you up at Lake House and transport you to Paradise Cave, Asia’s longest dry cave (located in the core zone of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park)
You will then be transported by golf cart (1.6 kilometers) from the main entrance through the jungle to the mouth of the cave, where you will climb to enjoy beautiful views of the mountainous region surrounding the cave.
12:30pm: Lunch at a local eatery in Phong Nha village. Here you can have a traditional Vietnamese food. Vegetarian alternative is provided. Please notify us in advance if you have any dietary restrictions, and we will try our best to accommodate you.
13:30: Depart for Phong Nha Caves. You will then board a traditional dragon boat for a 25-minute sail to the cave. This cave is dubbed a water cave because it has an underground river. After entering the cave via boat, you will walk 300 meters inside. Then, you’ll be transported back by boat. This cave is known for its magnificent rock formations. It has been called the “Lion,” the “Fairy Caves,” the “Royal Court,” and the “Buddha.”
16:30: Return to Lake House; end of trip.
The tour featured the following:
- Private Car Transfer
- English-speaking tour guide
- Tickets for lunch and entrance.
- Boat trip, as mentioned in the program.
Includes one bottle of water per person per day.
Excludes tours.
- Tip for the guide and driver.
- Personal costs.
- Others are not listed.