Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park is located in Quang Binh province in the North central coast, about 180km to the north of Hue. In 2003, the national park was recognized as a UNESCO’s World Heritage. Phong Nha - Ke Bang is home to the largest caves in the world and covers 300 different grottoes and caves. It is well-known as “The kingdom of the cave”.
Photo Mr&Mrs Backpacker
You can learn more about this attraction here
Phong Nha is a extraodinary natural cave from the perspective of all tourists and scientists. The cave possesses many first ranks, which are listed on the world record book. Phong Nha has the longest underground river, the highest and longest cave, the most spectacular stalagmites and stalactites, and the broadest and most beautiful fine sand and stone beaches.
You may want to watch this video about PhongNha– Ke Bang
Therefore, there is no surprise when all tourists are completely impressed by the beauty of Phong Nha cave. It is really a great destination and a heaven of tourists and scientists who want to explore the marvelous nature after discovering the old imperial Hue city of history buff, exotic cultures and excellent foods. It's such a great combination!
How to get to Phong Nha from Hue
Hue is an ideal stop before heading to Phong Nha. If you intend to visit Phong Nha, try to combine Hue to your itinerary to not only ensure to have plenty of rest before your jungle and caving adventure but also to discover this dreaming city by the peaceful Huong river and enjoy the best Hue cuisines. If you are staying in Hue and want to make a trip to Phong Nha, you can choose any means of transportation as private car, bus, motorbike or train.
1.By Train
Photo by phongnhaheritagetravel
Description
You can book a train from Hue to Dong Hoi and then take a taxi or a bus to Phong Nha. The railway from Hue station to Dong Hoi station is about 166 kilometers. There are 5 trains including SE2, SE4, SE6, SE8 and SE20 (which belong to the Reunification Express train) from Hue to Dong Hoi and trains SE1, SE3, SE5, SE7 and SE19 from the return route. They depart every day and take about 3/ 3,5 hours (one way). The types of seats include hard seat and soft seat, called cabin with air conditioner and air-conditioned soft seats, beds.
Prices
Price depends on each type. You need to know the distance to choose a suitable seat. The price costs no more than 250,000 VND.
Under 2 years: Travel free
From 2 to under 5 years old (and shorter than 1.3m):
Price will be 50% of adult price for the North - South trains and vice versa. But for trains from Hanoi to Sapa and vice versa, the children will have to pay full price like adults.
Over 5 years old: 100% of adult price.
Baggages
Carry-on Bags: The train cabins are allowed to carry baggages not to exceed the weight limitation of 20 kgs of adults and 10 kgs of children. These baggages are wrapped neatly and reliably.
Train station
Hue Railway station:
Hue station located at 02, Bui Thi Xuan street, Hue city, about 1 km from the city center. Hue station is the same Dong Hoi station with one gate and you can find it easily.
- Address: 02 Bui Thi Xuan, Hue city
- Phone: (84-54) 3822175
- Fax: (84-54) 3845920
Dong Hoi Railway Station:
Dong Hoi station located at Sub-regional 4 (TiểuKhu 4), Nam Ly Ward, Dong Hoi City, QuangBinh. This station is only one gate and very big so you can arrive in the station by taxi or motorbike taxi.
- Address: Zone 4, South Lee Street, Dong Hoi Town
- Province / City: QuangBinh
- Tel: (84-52) 3820558
- Fax: (84-52) 3837429
Detail information
Train fares for all trains departing from Hue to Dong Hoi
Unit: USD
Train from Hue to Dong Hoi
Departs |
Arrives |
Train No |
Hard Seat |
Soft Seat |
---|---|---|---|---|
15:31 |
18:30 |
|
|
|
16:47 |
19:37 |
|
|
|
05:39 |
09:01 |
|
|
|
01:36 |
04:35 |
|
|
|
21:33 |
00:49 |
|
|
If you travel from Hue to PhongNha, you should choose the train SE6 or SE8 to be present in Dong Hoi in the morning. Then you will have much time to book hotels ( you should book hotels near Nhat Le beach in Dong Hoi because they offer the best price hotels in that area), then go to Phong Nha and visit famous caves.
Train return from Dong Hoi to Hue
Departs |
Arrives |
Train No |
Hard Seat |
Soft Seat |
---|---|---|---|---|
05:50 |
08:48 |
|
|
|
07:40 |
10:27 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
19:40 |
22:42 |
|
|
|
16:36 |
19:47 |
|
|
|
06:28 |
09:42 |
|
|
If you want to travel from Dong Hoi to Hue directly after your tour, you can consider the following option if you don’t mind arriving in Hue a bit late in the evening.
Train no. SE5 – departs Dong Hoi at 7:40 PM and arrives in Hue at 10:42 PM
You will have more options if you stay an additional night in Phong Nha. There is some early morning trains departing from Dong Hoi to Hue at 5:50 AM, 6:28 AM and 7:40 AM. Don’t forget to arrange your transfer from Phong Nha to Dong Hoi in advance if you plan on making your early morning train.
2.By Bus
Bus seems to be the easiest and cheapest way to transfer from Hue to Phong Nha. If your time is limmited, you should choose this option. It is better to take 2 days trip to visit Phong Nha Cave. You can stay 1 day in Dong Hoi. There are many buses with various departure time for you to choose.
Photo by phongnhabus
3. By Private Cars
Everything has its advantage and disadvantage sides. Although bus is cheap but it’s inconvenient for those who want private space. Particularly, if you travel by bus, you can not visit some famous places on the way especially the DMZ zone as well as DMZ tour from Hue. Moreover, the experienced driver knows how to explore the surrounding on your way. In this case, private car is a perfect option.
Photo by Jeremy Couture
You can consider these below bus routes of gotophongnha travel company
Bus |
Option 1* |
Option 2 |
Option 3 |
Option 4 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Time |
At 7 a.m |
At 11 a.m |
At 5 p.m |
At 5 p.m |
Prices |
250.000vnd |
250.000vnd |
150.000vnd |
150.000vnd |
Pick up |
Your hotel in Hue city center. |
|||
Drop off |
Easy Tiger Hostel, PhongNha |
Your Hotel in PhongNha |
Easy Tiger Hostel, PhongNha |
Ly ThuongKietst, Dong Hoi |
Notes:
Option 1*: On the way, the bus stop for you to visit Hien Luong Bridge, Ben Hai river, La Vang holly.
4. Tour to Phong Nha from Hue
With this tour, you can both discover PhongNha Cave by boat and admire the spectacular jungle scenery and visit other tourist attraction as Biki Grotto, Cung Dinh Cave, Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai river on the way back.
Photo by Mr & Mrs Backpacker
5.Motorbikes
There is nothing better than leading a ride the Vietnamese countryside with the wind on your face and shining sun. It's free to go wherever the road takes to. It is without doubt one of the best ways to get off the beaten to enjoy the sprite of Vietnamese Villages.
Motorbike/ scooter rental service is available in Phon gNha. When deciding a company to rent you should take the cost, maintenance of the motorbike, helmet quality and safety services into consideration. You are advised to spend a couple of dollars to get a good motorbike from a reputation company rather than getting from the cheaper one.
Phong Nha has great scenery but the roads are narrow and windy. Just make sure that you have good driving skill to go on the trip to remote landscape of the park
These are many good motorbike rental companies you should know.
Hue Motorbike Adventure Office – Rental – Self Rider
- Head Office: 35/42 Nguyen Cong Trustr – Hue city – Vietnam
- Phone: (+8454) 3 624 044 – Hotline: (+84)(0) 985 005 113
- Email: [email protected] - [email protected]
Hue Thanh Tu Travel
- Motorbike for Rent - Motorbike Tour - Open Bus Ticket
- Addess: 13 Vo Thi Sau st., Hue City
- Phone: +84 (0)54. 3 833 506; Mobile: 0905 365 252
- Email: [email protected]
Useful information
Parking your motorbike
Whenever you park your motorbike anywhere in Vietnam, you will probably be approached by someone who will want you to pay them about 2,000 vnd ($ 0.10). This is not a scam , it's how they do things there and everyone pays for their care of your motorbike. That person will write a number on your bike using chalk and give you a card with that number on .They might move it in busy places but do not panic if you get back and it's not immediately obvious where it is. Just give them the ticket and they will take you to the bike.
What to do if your bike break down ?
No need to worry! This is Viet Nam. There will no doubt be a friendly mechanic down the road who will help you get back on track in no time! Pumping tyres up is often 5,000 vnd / puncture tyres is often 30,000 VND.
On the street , you will see that sign board : Sửa Xe – Motorbike maintance.
Hazards!
There are thousands of Motorcycle and trucks on you way. If you ride more than 60km/ 1 hour, you break the rules.
in High Way , speed limit only: 40-50km/1 hour , you should ride 40km speed / 1 hour .
Photo by motorbiketourexpert
Helmet
People always wear a helmet when driving motorbikes. It’s a rule. The rental of a helmet should definitely be free with bike rental so always ask for it before you ride off.
Warning
Warning to people who plan to do an organized motorcycle trip with motorbike for hire companies on the streets in Hue, Vietnam or rent a motorbike from unreliable company.
If you are planning to do or rent a motorbike, be careful with company you choose.
If you are going to visit Hue city, don’t miss these suggestions:
What to do in Hue for 1 day
Things to do in Hue for 3 days with kids
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