Phong Nha Cave & Dark Cave Day Trip: Zip Line & Swim

Zip line over the river, swim into the cave, float in mud deep underground

A full-day activity from Dong Hoi combining two caves along the historic Ho Chi Minh trail: Dark Cave for zip lining, swimming, mud bathing and an obstacle course. Then Phong Nha Cave for a 6km dragon boat ride up the turquoise Son river and 300m of walking inside the cave itself. Pickup from your hotel, lunch, all equipment and an English guide are included.

The experience

Dark Cave is where the day's action happens first. You start with a long zip line over the turquoise river, then swim into the cave mouth wearing a life jacket. Inside, a head torch mounted on your mining helmet lights the way as you walk through the dark, wade into buoyant mud baths deep in the cave, and swim in the freshwater lake to rinse off. On the way out, you test your strength on a hanging obstacle course and open zip lines before kayaking back across the river. All the harnesses, helmets, kayaks, paddles and life jackets are provided.

After lunch at a local restaurant (vegetarian options available), a 30-minute dragon boat ride takes you upriver to Phong Nha Cave. The boat driver cuts the motor so you can drift and take in the cave's structure in silence. You then walk 300m deeper into the cave on foot to explore the passages. Phong Nha sits along the Ho Chi Minh trail and was used as a hiding place during the war, with secret floating bridges that were deployed at night to help supply trucks cross the river.

Hotel pickup in Dong Hoi or Phong Nha village is included, along with drop-off at the end. The tour runs from early morning to late afternoon, with the guide speaking English throughout.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off from your hotel in Dong Hoi or Phong Nha.
• all adventure gear (head torch, mining helmet, harness, life jacket, kayak and paddles).
• English-speaking guide.
• entrance fees to both caves.
• lunch at a local restaurant with vegetarian options available.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Senior (61 to 80 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by DN Tour

Is this one for you?The full day (roughly 8 hours from pickup to drop-off) packs two very different cave experiences back to back, so plan the rest of your day around an early start and late afternoon finish. If you want action and swimming, Dark Cave delivers. If you prefer a quieter boat ride and walking, Phong Nha balances it out, but you won't have time for other activities in Dong Hoi on the same day.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What time does the day trip start and end?

Pickup happens between 07:40 and 09:00 depending on whether you're staying in Dong Hoi or Phong Nha village, and the tour ends around 17:30. The full day runs roughly 8 hours from start to finish.

What's included in the price for Dark Cave?

Dark Cave includes the zip line, swimming, mud bath, obstacle course, kayaking and all equipment: head torch, mining helmet, harness, life jacket and kayak with paddles. The guide, lunch and entrance fees are also included.

Can I do this trip if I'm not a strong swimmer?

Life jackets are provided for swimming in Dark Cave, so you don't need to be a confident swimmer. The mud bath is buoyant, so you float naturally. If you have spinal injuries or are pregnant, this trip is not recommended due to the physical demands of zip lining and the obstacle course.

What is Phong Nha Cave and how much time do you spend there?

Phong Nha Cave, also called the "river cave," sits along the historic Ho Chi Minh trail and was used as a shelter during the war. You reach it by a 30-minute dragon boat ride up the Son river, drift inside to see the cave's structure, then walk 300m on foot to explore further. The visit is quieter and more contemplative than Dark Cave.

Is lunch included, and are there vegetarian options?

Lunch at a local restaurant is included in the price. Vegetarian dishes are available if you need them. Let your guide know when you're picked up.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the meeting point?

No. Hotel pickup is included whether you're staying in Dong Hoi city or Phong Nha village. The van will collect you in the morning and drop you back at the end of the day.