Ultimate 7-Day Phong Nha Itinerary: Caves, Culture & Adventure (2025)

Nestled in central Vietnam’s gorgeous limestone mountains, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is the ultimate family travel adventure through prehistoric caves, stunning landscapes, and authentic Vietnamese culture. Here’s our 7-day Phong Nha itinerary from our recent trip (September 2025) that’ll guide you through the must-do experiences, including the historically significant Phong Nha Cave systems to hidden local gems.

Planning a Vietnam trip? Check out our Vietnam travel guides for more family-friendly destinations and activities.

📋 Table of Contents

• 🏔️ Why Visit Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park?
• 🗺️ Suggested Vietnam Route
• 📅 7-Day Phong Nha Itinerary
  • Day 1: Arrival & Sunset Dinner/Drinks
  • Day 2: Bong Lai Valley Exploration
  • Day 3: Phong Nha Cave Exploration
  • Day 4: Rest & Relaxation
  • Day 5: Dark Cave Adventure
  • Day 6: Rural Exploration
  • Day 7: National Park Loop & Caves
  • Day 8: Departure Day
• 🚂 Getting to Phong Nha
  • By Train (Recommended)
  • By Car from Major Cities
  • 🛣️ Recommended Stops En Route
• 🏨 Where to Stay in Phong Nha
• 🎒 Essential Travel Tips for Phong Nha
  • Best Time to Visit
  • What to Pack
  • Local Transportation
• 🏆 Final Thoughts

🏔️ Why Visit Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park?

We fell in love with Phong Nha during our stay in 2020. We came for a month, and stayed for four months. We even wrote a blog on Why you Should Visit Phong Nha.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is home to some of the world’s most impressive cave systems, including the largest cave on Earth. With over 300 caves, stunning karst mountains, and pristine rivers, this destination offers the perfect blend of adventure, natural beauty, and cultural experiences.

What makes Phong Nha special:

• World’s largest cave (Son Doong Cave)
• Over 300 discovered caves with more being found
• UNESCO World Heritage status since 2003
• Stunning karst landscapes and pristine rivers
• Authentic Vietnamese culture in rural villages

🗺️ Suggested Vietnam Route

If you’re not staying in Vietnam long term, I recommend putting this on your North ↔ Central itinerary. It’s a great stop between Hue and Ninh Binh.

Suggested route (either direction is great. We prefer trains, but you can hire a private car for your family, or even hire motorbikes and/or easy riders for those looking for the full adventure):

Hanoi → Ninh Binh → (overnight) Phong Nha → Hue → Da Nang → Hoi An

📅 7-Day Phong Nha Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Sunset Dinner/Drinks

Welcome to Phong Nha! After checking into your accommodation, take it easy and get oriented:

• Check-in and settle into your room
• Explore the accommodation relax by the pool for the best view
• Sunset dinner overlooking the rice paddies
• Evening drinks while taking in the beautiful mountain views
• Early night to rest up for adventures ahead

Day 2: Bong Lai Valley Exploration

After breakfast, explore the scenic Bong Lai Valley:

• Visit Tang Duck Farm enjoy the ducks and Mary the buffalo
• Enjoy lunch at a Pub with Cold Beer and authentic Vietnamese BBQ cuisine
• Stop at the famous Bong Lai swing for photos and refreshments (coffee, juice, or smoothies)
• Take in the beautiful valley views and peaceful countryside atmosphere

Day 3: Phong Nha Cave Exploration

Begin your cave adventures with the park’s namesake:

• Take the complimentary shuttle to Phong Nha Cave at 10:00 AM
• Buy tickets at the ticket station, take your ticket to the station to get your boat number allocated
• Explore the magnificent Phong Nha Cave by boat
• Tien Son Cave is accessible (500 steps) once you exit the Phong Nha Cave
• Dinner at Victory Road Villas in Phong Nha town - guests from Phong Nha Farmstay are welcome to use the pool facilities and towels
• Return to Farmstay on the free 16:45 shuttle from Victory Road Villas

Day 3 Pricing:

• Phong Nha Cave entry: 150,000 VND
• Tien Son Cave: 80,000 VND
• Boat: 550,000 VND per boat (up to 12 people)

💡 Pro Tip: If you’d like to stop on your return at Victory Road Villas, look for the floating restaurant on the river, then ask to stop at the terracotta stairs just past the floating restaurant. You can watch this video that explains the cave and how to find Victory Road Villas by boat.

Day 4: Rest & Relaxation

Take it easy after your journey with a day of relaxation:

• Early risers take the 7am Farmstay walk
• Enjoy the pool side at the Farmstay
• Explore the immediate surroundings by bicycle
• Get acquainted with the local area at a leisurely pace - the Farmstay staff can share route ideas with you
• Sunset Safari a jeep tour around the village and catch the sunset

Day 4 Sunset Safari Pricing:

• Sunset Safari Jeep Tour: 100,000 VND per person

Day 5: Dark Cave Adventure

Get ready for some adventure at Dark Cave:

• Rent motorbikes or arrange easy riders (or a car) transportation to Dark Caves
• Zipline to the cave entrance or you can top to kayak to the entrance
• Explore the cave with headlamps, including the famous mud bath
• Enjoy kayaking and swimming opportunities
• Dinner at the Rice House in Phong Nha town
• Return to your accommodation in the late afternoon

Day 5 Dark Cave Pricing:

• Full Access Package: 450,000 VND per adult (includes cave entrance, zipline, mud bath, kayaking, swimming, adventure bridge, water slides)
• Limited Access Package: 270,000 VND per adult (all activities except cave exploration and mud bath)
• Children 1.1m-1.3m: 150,000 VND (includes 40,000 VND entrance ticket)
• Children under 1.1m: Free
• Group discount: 30% off for groups of 10 or more

⚠️ Safety Note: Children under 1.4m cannot use the zipline. Pregnant women over 3 months, those with cardiovascular conditions, high blood pressure, or weighing over 90kg are advised against zipline use. It’s important to be confident in the water (life jackets available). You do have to swim into a dark cave filled with mud.

Day 6: Rural Exploration

Another relaxing day with options such as:

• Visit the Botanical Garden for a short hike and waterfall swimming
• Cycle through nearby villages on provided bicycles
• Visit local markets and interact with friendly residents
• Observe traditional farming practices pool side
• Enjoy the stunning rural landscapes and rice fields

Day 7: National Park Loop & Caves

Embark on the spectacular National Park loop by motorbike or easy rider:

• Start early with a stop at the petrol station to fill up
• Commander Cave check out the interactive VR cave experience showing you what it was like in the region during the American War.
• Lunch at Commander Cave
• Stop at Tra Ang Intersection for photos and historical information
• Discover the magnificent Paradise Cave: this is still one of the most beautiful caves I’ve ever seen
• Cross scenic suspension bridges for spectacular photos
• Enjoy a break at a local coffee shop
• Return through picturesque villages with beautiful views

💡 Pro Tip: For those less comfortable with riding motorbikes, Easy Riders (local motorcycle guides who take you as passengers) can be arranged.

Day 7 Cave Pricing:

Paradise Cave:

• Adults and children over 1.3m: 250,000 VND per person
• Children 1.1m-1.3m: 125,000 VND per child
• Children under 1.1m: Free
• Electric buggy to cave entrance:
  • 4-seat buggy: 60,000 VND one-way / 100,000 VND round-trip
  • 6-seat buggy: 90,000 VND one-way / 150,000 VND round-trip
  • 8-seat buggy: 120,000 VND one-way / 200,000 VND round-trip
  • 14-seat buggy: 210,000 VND one-way / 350,000 VND round-trip

Commander Cave:

🎉 Special Offer: 50% off tour ticket prices from July 6, 2025 to December 31, 2025

Day 8: Departure Day

Make the most of your final day:

• Early breakfast and early departure (aim for 9am if you’re travelling by private car)
• Vinh Moc Tunnels is 2 hours from Phong Nha Farmstay. Well worth heading to and exploring these caves.
• Lunch after exploring, stop for a quick lunch at the local restaurant outside the front gate
• Travel to your next stop

🚂 Getting to Phong Nha

By Train (Recommended)

The most convenient way to reach Phong Nha is by train to Dong Hoi station, followed by a short transfer:

Book Train Tickets Online

Recommended booking platforms:

• 12Go Asia - Best for train tickets in Vietnam
• Vietnam Railways - Official booking site
• Local travel agencies in major cities

💡 Pro Tip: Book your train tickets in advance, especially during peak season (June-August) and national holidays when trains can sell out quickly.

Private car transfer from Dong Hoi Station to Phong Nha Farmstay:

• 600,000 VND for a 5-seat car
• 900,000 VND for a 15-seat car

By Car from Major Cities

If coming from other popular Vietnam destinations, private transfers are available:

Private Car Transfer Pricing

For larger groups, 30-seater options are available at approximately 8,000,000 VND each way (from Hoi An).

🛣️ Recommended Stops En Route

• Hai Van Pass - Breathtaking coastal mountain views
• Coffee stop overlooking Da Nang
• Les Jardins de La Carambole in Hue for lunch
• Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai review museum - historic DMZ sites
• Vinh Moc tunnels

🏨 Where to Stay in Phong Nha

We’ve spent a lot of time in Phong Nha and we keep coming back to the same place (even the one time we didn’t stay there). Check out our guide to see the Best Places to Stay in Phong Nha.

Phong Nha offers a range of accommodation options from farmstays to hotels. For the authentic Phong Nha experience, consider booking Phong Nha Farmstay that offers:

Included amenities:

• Daily breakfast
• Complimentary water, tea, and coffee
• Free WiFi
• In-room safes
• Free shuttle service to Phong Nha Cave
• Free bicycle rental

Check-in/out times:

• Standard check-in: 14:00
• Check-out: 11:00
• Early check-in and late check-out may be arranged for additional fees, subject to availability

🎒 Essential Travel Tips for Phong Nha

Best Time to Visit

The ideal time to visit Phong Nha is during the dry season from February to August. Keep in mind it does get very hot. September to early January may experience heavy rainfall, which can limit access to some caves and activities. However, if you’ve got a longer timeframe, you will still enjoy it. We’ve visited four times, four months August - December 2020, June 2023, September 2023, and September 2025. No complaints about any of our September visits, although we did get to experience the great flood of 2020.

What to Pack

Essential items for your Phong Nha adventure:

• Quick-dry clothes and swimwear
• Sturdy walking shoes with good grip
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen
• Waterproof bag for electronics (especially handy for river swimming or the Dark Cave)
• Light raincoat or poncho (especially if visiting during shoulder seasons)

Local Transportation

Getting around Phong Nha:

• Motorbike rental is the most flexible way to explore the area
• Many accommodations offer rental services or can arrange them for you
• For those uncomfortable riding motorbikes, Easy Riders or private car services are available
• Grab is available from Phong Nha town, but not available from the Phong Nha Farmstay

🏆 Final Thoughts

Phong Nha offers a perfect blend of adventure, natural beauty, and authentic Vietnamese experiences. With its world-class caves, stunning landscapes, and friendly locals, this 7-day Phong Nha itinerary allows you to experience the best of what Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park has to offer.

Whether you’re swimming in crystal-clear rivers, exploring massive cave systems, or simply enjoying the peaceful countryside, Phong Nha promises unforgettable memories for every type of traveler.

⚠️ Important: Remember to book accommodations and popular cave tours in advance, especially during peak season (June-August), to secure your spot in this increasingly popular destination.

Ready to explore Vietnam’s cave country? Check out our other Vietnam travel guides for more family-friendly adventures in this beautiful country!