Quang Binh

I. To venture Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park & explore the caves population

Recognized as the World National Heritage since 2013, mostly covered with tropical rainforest, Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park features entwine caves and grottoes, massive ancient karsts and dense jungle-clad mountains, also is home to many endangered species and various interesting flora. Due to its special geomorphic, Phong Nha Ke Bang offers countless activities, amongst them visiting caves and grottos by boat as well as mountain climbing and forest trekking.

1. Son Doong cave

It is one of the world’s biggest caves which attracts a number of thrill-seekers from all over the world to discover. It stretches over 5km, reaching up to 200m tall and 150m wide (that compete in height with London’s Big Ben). In contrast, it is not easy to travel because it requires highly adventurous spirit and good health to conquer in. All must have a strict health check before you are accepted to join this trip.

2. Phong Nha Cave

Phong Nha cave is named after the national park in which it is located. It has a wet cave and a dry cave. The wet cave is the ceiling along the river around 1km which has a breathtaking beauty as stalactites and stalagmites glitter brightly. The massive ceiling with a variety of stunning topographical features and the blue water river flowing inside will create unforgettable time.

3. Paradise Cave (Hang Thien Duong)

It is one of the most famous caves in Vietnam for its shape. The gate into the cave is very small for only one person through. In 2005, the whole length was recorded to reach 31km by British explorers. The name Paradise is for its majestic and visitors are actually in paradise whenever you are here.

4. Dark Cave (Hang Toi)

Because there is no light in the cave, visitors must have a handheld lighting gear while traveling into the cave. At first visitors swoop down to the entrance of the cave in Indian Jones style on a Vietnam’s longest zipline before swimming into the darkness. Walking inside visitors can enjoy the wild beauties of this cave and have mud bathing, or swimming in the river.

II. To visit scenic attractions

1. Bang Mineral Hot Spring

Bang Mineral Hot Spring is the sole hot water source with the temperature of 105ºC. Because of the elements found in the water, the hot spring has become internationally recognized. Bang Mineral Hot Spring is located 60km south of Dong Hoi City, in Kim Thuy Commune, Le Thuy District, Quang Binh Province.

2. Da Nhay beach

It is 40km towards the North of Dong Hoi city. In fact, it is one of the most important sites in Quang Binh apart from the complex of caves in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. It is as the jumping stones with a large number of rocks reaching the sky.

3. Canh Duong Village

This is a 400-year old village, one of 8 famous villages in Quang Binh. It is also known as the whale village because it has a hundreds-year-old whale cemetery by the coast Canh Duong is known as the most bustling and wealthy village in the coastal area of Quang Binh Province. Recently, the village attracts tourists thanks to its unique and beautiful murals and 3D paintings. Especially, while you walk along the paths, travellers can explore ancient homes, house walls made of corals, and enjoy local lives.

4. Quang Phu Sand Hill

This place converges many unique elements to make an ideal tourist landscape. White sand dunes with crystal shine sunny sandy grassland stretching coast to watch green, clean has never affected the landscape and environment. Sand hills with elevations reasonable to design the adventure sand sliding game with simple skateboard type spathe, hard paper … will give visitors a sense of relaxation completely new.

Day 1: Dong Hoi City Tour – Da Nhay Beach

AM: Take a city tour to visit top attractions of Quang Binh Citadel, Lieu Hanh Mother Goddess Temple, Tam Toa Cathedral, then get to Quang Phu Sand Hill where you can enjoy beautiful sand dunes and sand skiing.

PM: Spend an afternoon until late evening visiting Da Nhay Beach. Enjoy a clean, white-sand beach with rocky mountains, stone pillars in various sizes. Wander around street along coastlines and taste local seafood as well as charm its night beauties.

Day 2: Phong Nha Cave & Dark Cave – Dong Hoi

AM: Head to Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park and visit Phong Nha Cave, with wet and dry caves. Take a 3-hour trip on a local boat upstream the Son River watching the stunning natural Karst Mountains and lush green vegetation and then row through the cave.

PM: Discover the Dark cave and enjoy zip line on the river. Experiment unique things inside the cave and try mud bathing, as well as play some water games. Then get back to Dong Hoi city to relax at night.

Day 3: Paradise Cave – Bang Mineral Hot Spring

AM: Visit Paradise cave. Spend a day discovering the impressive scale and stunning stalagmites and stalactites.

PM: Continue the trip in the afternoon for visiting Bang Mineral Hot Spring. Reward yourself a natural treatment, finally.

If you are a veteran backpacker, please feel free to manage the trip your own and alter it when needed, else, we recommend you join a tour organized by a professional company, that can free you from hassles and keep you safe throughout the journey.

1. Banh Loc (Flour Cake):

Cassava flour is used to make this cake; filtered to starch and a small part of the flour is boiled. This dish usually contains shrimps mixed with spices or a combination of shrimp, pork, wood ear and shoots combination. These delicious cakes are wrapped in banana leaves, and then steamed before they’re ready to eat. Banh Loc may be plain, steamed or even fried.

2. Banh Beo:

Is a kind of cake that’s highly popular across Vietnam and especially in the central region of Vietnam. The main components of this street food are flour, minced shrimp, fish sauce (with or without chilli) and crispy pork crackers. This scrumptious local dish is sold widely across Central Vietnam and you can surely enjoy it at Dong Hoi. While Banh Beo in other places are made one portion in individual tiny plate, the Banh Beo in Dong Hoi brings the dish up to another level, what surprises you is, there are layers (many of them) on one plate and people end up having at least two plates of them every time!

3. Banh Xeo:

It’s a crepe or pancake made of rice flour, coconut milk, and turmeric, which you can fill with vermicelli noodles, chicken, pork or beef slices, shrimps, sliced onions, bean sprouts and mushrooms. This yummy dish is usually eaten in the afternoons or during supper. However, you can try it at anytime during the day at plenty of street food stalls in Dong Hoi.

4. Chao Banh Canh:

Is one of the most popular specialties of the Quang Binh province. This locally made broth primarily contains snakehead fish, ribs, prawns and noodles. Everything is boiled and then served to enjoy. The local people usually like to have this as a breakfast meal or an early evening meal to bring in the night with a stomach full of healthy and tasty Chao Banh Canh.

5. Sup Luon (Eel Soup):

Is a very famous dish in Dong Hoi city. The components of this amazing soup are eels, pork ribs broth, garlic, Rau Ram (Vietnamese mint leaves), sugar, noodles, fish sauce and chilli powder to garnish the soup. You would love to have a baguette bread with this, every single bite and sip of this soup makes you like it more and more.

The province of Quang Binh is located in the monsoon-tropical zone and experiences two seasons: the wet and dry seasons. The wet season begins in September and lasts until March, wherein the months of September to November experience the most rain.

On the other hand, the dry season begins in April and lasts until August with the hottest temperatures from June to August. So, the best time to go to Quang Binh is probably around April & May, because this time not too much rain but not too hot.

But if you like the activities under the water, you can go around June to July to enjoy, hot sun with high temperatures at this time waving in the cool water will be great.

There are many different transportation in and out Quang Binh each day. Depends on from where you depart (and your own taste), you may choose your best vehicle to Quang Binh from the list below.

1. By train

There are a number of regular daily trips from both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh to Quang Binh. It normally cost from $12 and takes about 10 hours traveling from Hanoi to Dong Hoi Station. Likewises, $22 and 20 hours from Ho Chi Minh. If you have time, spend it to see stunning landscape of Vietnam along the way.

2. By high quality bus (Open sleeper bus)

There are also bus daily stop in Dong Hoi city. From Hanoi, you can book a 12-hours traveling bus at $10, or a 26-hours traveling bus at $25 if starting from Ho Chi Minh, from Hoang Long transportation service. By going by bus, you are able to enjoy the views en route also.

3. By plane

You may book Vietnam Airline, Vietjet Air, or Jetstar for a one-hour flight to Dong Hoi Airport from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh. This is the safest and quickest way. Price starts from $25 (but varies depending on travel seasons).

Throughout this article, we wish you to have an idea of how to travel to Quang Binh for your best experience. In case you are looking for your own travel agent, who can offer a wonderful and hassle-free trip to Quang Binh, please feel free to let us know. We always commit our best to make it your once-in-a-lifetime journey.