How to get from Hoi An to Phong Nha Ke Bang?
Located about 340 kilometers apart, the journey from Hoi An to Phong Nha is long but very manageable.
A mix of complex cave networks, historic mountains, winding lakes, and lush jungles, Phong Nha is brimming with natural beauty. A must-visit destination in Vietnam, Phong Nha was until recently a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. So why has it become so popular recently? It’s largely due to the establishment of the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003.
In this article, I explore the different ways to travel from Hoi An to Phong Nha (and vice versa). Exciting and varied, I’ve selected all the available options, from a nine-hour train ride to a two-to-three-day motorbike adventure. The array of attractions en route to Phong Nha is immense!
Why Visit Phong Nha Ke Bang
This stunning landscape is a protected area of 1,233 square kilometers in north-central Vietnam, bordering the Hin Namno Reserve in Laos. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003, the park boasts Asia’s oldest mountains, formed approximately 400 million years ago. Its most famous cave, Son Doong, the largest cave in the world, was discovered only in 2009! The park is also renowned for its beautiful underground rivers and rich wildlife, including tigers, black bears, and elephants. Beyond its sheer beauty, the park contains numerous historically and culturally significant relics such as sections of the Ho Chi Minh Trail and Tam Co Cave.
Phong Nha is the perfect place to immerse yourself in Vietnam’s exotic nature, away from overcrowded and tourist-filled cities.
About Phong Nha Ke Bang
Phong Nha is located directly between Hanoi and Hoi An, 500 km south of Vietnam’s capital and 340 km north of Hoi An. It was once one of the poorest regions in the country. Although tourism has helped the local economy, its development remains slow. This is partly because of Phong Nha’s role during the American War, serving as a starting point for the Ho Chi Minh Trail and a training ground for the North Vietnamese army.
As a result, Phong Nha was heavily bombed by the Americans. Russian and Chinese involvement added to the destruction, providing anti-aircraft artillery to counter the American aggression. Phong Nha was one of the most affected areas during the conflict, and unfortunately, a significant amount of unexploded ordnance (UXO) remains today, causing harm and distress to the local population.
Despite this, Phong Nha is a safe place to visit, and its lack of bars, restaurants, and hotels compared to other tourist hotspots is refreshing. The Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park stands as a proud symbol for all of Vietnam.
How to Travel from Hoi An to Phong Nha
1. By Plane
Although it’s technically possible to fly from Da Nang to Dong Hoi, Dong Hoi only receives flights from Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. This means you would need to make a significant detour through these cities before arriving in Phong Nha.
As such, this option is somewhat impractical given the many more convenient alternatives available.
2. By Train
Taking the train involves a bit more effort since there are no train stations in Hoi An or Phong Nha. You’ll need to break your journey into several steps. First, travel to Da Nang Railway Station by shuttle, taxi, or local bus. This trip takes about 45 minutes and costs around 20,000 VND if using the bus.
The train from Da Nang to Dong Hoi takes six hours. Tickets cost 247,000 VND for a soft seat or 317,000 VND for a sleeper berth.
Upon arriving at Dong Hoi Station, take a taxi to the Dong Hoi Bus Station. It’s a short distance and should cost only 25,000 VND. At the bus station, you’ll finally board the bus to Phong Nha. This final leg of your journey takes about 1.5 hours and costs 35,000 VND.
3. By Private Car
The journey from Hoi An to Phong Nha takes 6.5 hours by car. A private car is undoubtedly the fastest, most luxurious, and most comfortable way to make this trip. Having your own driver means you’ll be picked up and dropped off at your hotel at your convenience. It also minimizes potential stress as it’s a straightforward A-to-B trip with no mid-journey changes.
Prices depend on the size of the car you choose, but expect to pay around 3,500,000 to 4,500,000 VND for a four- to seven-seater car. This price includes fuel, toll fees, and parking fees but excludes lunch and entrance fees to attractions along the way.
For this trip, consider the transport company Hoi An Transport Service, which offers private car journeys from Hoi An.
4. By Bus
The bus is the most popular option for traveling to Phong Nha from Hoi An. Unfortunately, there are no direct buses, so you’ll need to change in Hue (about four hours into your trip). However, this won’t be an issue as your bus operator will guide you to the next bus.
Recently, complaints have surfaced about companies like Camel Travel and Queen Cafe arriving in Phong Nha much later than scheduled or even dropping passengers off in Dong Hoi (45 km away!).
For this reason, I recommend booking your trip with Sinh Tourist or Hanh Cafe. These are two well-known operators running buses throughout the day. You can purchase a ticket for the full journey to Phong Nha for 280,000 VND at the Hanh Cafe office in Hoi An.
Buses depart at 7:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Upon arrival in Hue, you continue your journey with Hang Thanh (a partner organization), which drops you off in Phong Nha five hours later. Two separate tickets are required when booking online.
Sinh Tourist offers the same route with departure times from Hoi An to Hue at 8:30 AM or 1:45 PM.
5. By Motorbike
If you have some free time and want to explore the many attractions on the way to Phong Nha, this is an excellent transportation option. Traveling at your own pace, you can soak in Vietnam’s hidden gems, vibrant history, and varied landscapes. It’s a much more personal experience, which you can tailor to your needs and schedule.
However, this journey isn’t for the faint-hearted or inexperienced. The 337 km route from Hoi An to Phong Nha traverses busy highways and/or steep, winding mountain roads—quite the challenge!
While you could technically complete the route in one day, this isn’t advisable. The best part of the trip is the beautiful photo opportunities at every turn; rushing through would mean missing out. Additionally, you’d be exhausted upon arrival! Instead, I recommend spreading this significant journey over two to three days for the most comfortable and enjoyable experience.
By Highway
This is the fastest route between Hoi An and Phong Nha. Start your journey by following National Route QL1A directly to Hue. This takes you over the famous Hai Van Pass and can take three to four hours or an entire day, depending on whether you explore all the sites and detours along the way.
If splitting the trip, Hue is the logical overnight stop. The next morning, continue along QL1A, skirting the beautiful coastline to Dong Hoi. From Dong Hoi, head inland on the much smaller QL16, which begins your ascent through the mountains. This road leads directly to Phong Nha and should take about 30 to 45 minutes.
The Hollywood-style “Phong Nha Ke Bang” sign in the hills ensures you won’t miss your final destination! You can also slightly alter the highway route by taking parallel roads through the mountains or along the beach. The coastal road near Bai Bien Tham Khe beach and the inland QL15 route after An Ma Lake are the most scenic detours.
Ho Chi Minh Route from Hoi An to Phong Nha
This is the longest but most scenic route from Hoi An to Phong Nha. Head inland immediately upon leaving Hoi An via QL14, part of the Ho Chi Minh Route. Skirting the Laos border, you’ll pass through spectacular forests, river valleys, and mountains until you reach Khe Sanh. From there, continue along the Ho Chi Minh Route/QL15 to Phong Nha. This route requires at least two days to complete. While challenging, it offers a truly authentic adventure!
Before setting out on this journey, I recommend thorough research. On both routes, accommodations, restaurants, gas stations, and ATMs are scarce. It’s best to mark their locations beforehand to avoid being caught off guard.
