Phong Nha-KαΊ» BΓ ng National Park is home to some of the most remarkable cave systems on earth β including Son Doong, the largest cave in the world by volume. For most visitors, the main draw is the cluster of accessible caves within a 30-kilometre radius of Phong Nha village: the ornate Phong Nha Cave (explored by boat), the vast dry chambers of Paradise Cave, and the adventure-focused Dark Cave with its zipline, mud bath, and kayaking. Every tour listed below links directly to a verified GetYourGuide product page.
The area is most commonly reached from Dong Hoi city (45 km south), and many tours offer hotel pickup from both Dong Hoi and Phong Nha village itself. If youβre travelling from Hue or Da Nang, day-trip operators run coaches north along the coast β these are worth considering as standalone products rather than independently hiring transport.
Top Phong Nha Tours at a Glance
| Tour | Duration | Price (from) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phong Nha & Paradise Caves Boat Guided Tour | 10 hrs | from ~$35/person | First-timers |
| Phong Nha Cave & Paradise Cave Tour | Full day | from ~$45/person | Cave enthusiasts |
| Full Day Paradise Cave & Phong Nha Cave | Full day | from ~$40/person | Families |
| Dark Cave Zipline & Paradise Cave Adventure | 9 hrs | from ~$63/person | Adventure seekers |
| Paradise Cave & Dark Cave with Zipline | Full day | from ~$63/person | Thrill seekers |
| Paradise Cave & Dark Cave Tour with Lunch | Full day | from ~$45/person | Groups |
| 2-Day Paradise Cave & Dark Cave Adventure | 2 days | from ~$120/person | Multi-day travellers |
| Countryside Cycling Day Trip | 1 day | from ~$27/person | Cyclists |
Browse all Phong Nha tours on GetYourGuide
For First-Timers: Phong Nha Cave Boat Tour
The most iconic Phong Nha experience is arriving at the cave entrance by dragon boat, gliding along the underground Son River as your guide illuminates stalactites and stalagmites with torchlight. Phong Nha Cave was discovered by French geographers in the 19th century and explored in depth by British cavers in the 1990s β the river section accessible to visitors runs approximately 1.5 km inside the mountain.
The Phong Nha & Paradise Caves Boat Guided Tour combines the dragon boat entry to Phong Nha Cave with a 1.6 km tram ride through jungle to the entrance of Paradise Cave. Hotel pickup from Dong Hoi or Phong Nha village is included. Running approximately 10β10.5 hours, this is the most comprehensive single-day combination tour available. From approximately $35/person.
The Phong Nha Cave & Paradise Cave Tour (from Phong Nha) covers the same twin-cave itinerary with a local guide, lunch, and all entrance tickets included. From approximately $45/person. Particularly well-suited to travellers already staying in Phong Nha village.
Book a Phong Nha cave boat tour on GetYourGuide
For Families: Full-Day Paradise Cave and Phong Nha Cave
Paradise Cave (Hang ThiΓͺn ΔΖ°α»ng) measures 31.4 km in length β the longest dry cave in Asia β though the publicly accessible section extends approximately 1 km inside. The chambers are enormous: ceilings up to 100 metres high, columns of calcite reaching 40 metres. It was discovered by a local man named Hα» Khanh in 2005 and opened to tourists in 2010.
The Full Day Paradise Cave and Phong Nha Cave Tour visits Paradise Cave first in the morning, includes a Vietnamese lunch, then moves on to Phong Nha Cave (approximately 50 km and 45 minutes away) for the afternoon boat section. The structure works well for families because the harder walking (Paradise Cave involves a 1.6 km tram then a climb to the entrance) is done while energy levels are highest. From approximately $40/person.
For groups who want lunch bundled in explicitly, the Paradise Cave and Dark Cave Tour with Lunch (Full Day) replaces the Phong Nha boat section with Dark Caveβs ground-level experience (no zipline on this version). From approximately $45/person.
Book a Paradise Cave family tour on GetYourGuide
For Adventure Seekers: Dark Cave Zipline and Mud Bath
Dark Cave (Hang Tα»i) is where Phong Nhaβs adventure scene is centred. The zipline launches from a platform above the Son River and deposits you directly into the water at the cave entrance β itβs one of the more genuinely exciting zipline setups in Vietnam. Inside, you navigate an obstacle course in darkness, reach a natural mud bath deep in the cave where visibility drops to near zero, and kayak back out through the cave interior. Weight limit for zipline is 40β90 kg.
The Dark Cave Zipline & Paradise Cave Adventure Tour combines both activities in one day: zipline into Dark Cave, mud bath, swimming, and kayaking in the morning; Paradise Cave tram and exploration in the afternoon. Hotel pickup from Dong Hoi or Phong Nha village; lunch included. Running approximately 9 hours total. From approximately $63/person.
The Paradise Cave & Dark Cave Tour with Zipline offers the same activity pairing and is worth comparing β operator, group size, and exact inclusions vary slightly between the two. From approximately $63/person.
Both tours require participants to bring swimwear and a towel; lockers are provided at Dark Cave with a refundable deposit of approximately VND 50,000 as of 2026.
Book a Dark Cave zipline tour on GetYourGuide
For Multi-Day Travellers: 2-Day Cave Expedition
If one day is not enough β and for many visitors it isnβt β the national park rewards an overnight stay. Staying in Phong Nha village gives access to quieter early-morning departures, sunset viewpoints over the karst ridges, and the occasional permit slot for smaller caves that donβt feature on standard day-tour itineraries.
The 2-Day Phong Nha: Paradise Cave & Dark Cave Adventure spreads the main cave activities across two days with overnight accommodation included. Day one covers Paradise Cave; day two covers the Dark Cave zipline, mud bath, and kayak. Pickup from Dong Hoi or Phong Nha on day one; drop-off on day two. From approximately $120/person.
Note on Son Doong: permits for Son Doong Cave (the worldβs largest, discovered 1991, opened to tourists 2013) are extremely limited and sold exclusively through Oxalis Adventure. A 5-day expedition costs approximately $3,000 USD per person as of 2026, and permits are typically sold out a year in advance. This is not a GetYourGuide product β contact Oxalis directly at oxalis.com.vn.
Book a 2-day Phong Nha cave expedition on GetYourGuide
For Cyclists: Countryside Day Trip
The land surrounding Phong Nha village is as scenic as the caves β rice paddies, river flatlands, and limestone outcrops backing onto dense jungle. Cycling tours follow the road along the Son River, passing local farms, small temples, and viewpoints that are inaccessible by tour bus.
The Phong Nha Countryside Cycling Day Trip is the most affordable tour in this roundup β from approximately $27/person β and covers a full day of pedalling through the valley with a local guide. Suitable for moderate fitness; no technical riding required. This is the best option for travellers who have already done the caves and want a different perspective on the area.
Book a Phong Nha cycling tour on GetYourGuide
Practical Tips for Booking Phong Nha Tours
Best season: February to August is the dry season in QuαΊ£ng BΓ¬nh province. September to January brings heavy rainfall and occasional flooding β some cave tours suspend operations, and the Son River can rise significantly. Check with operators before booking during October and November in particular.
Booking window: Dark Cave zipline tours have strict weight limits and finite daily capacity. Book 3β7 days ahead during Vietnamese school holidays (late June to mid-August) and international peak season (July).
Getting there from Dong Hoi: Dong Hoi has a domestic airport with flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Most tours include transfer from Dong Hoi hotels; alternatively, taxis cost approximately VND 400,000β500,000 (roughly $16β$20 as of 2026) one-way to Phong Nha village.
From Da Nang or Hue: The drive north to Phong Nha takes approximately 3.5 hours from Da Nang and 2.5 hours from Hue. Several operators in both cities offer overland day tours that factor in the travel time β these work best for energetic travellers who donβt mind a long day.
Currency: Tour operators in Phong Nha typically quote in USD. National park entrance fees and boat tickets are paid in Vietnamese dong at the gate β VND 150,000 (approximately $6) for Phong Nha Cave, VND 250,000 (approximately $10) for Paradise Cave, as of 2026.