Phong Nha Cave tour: Zip line, kayak adventure

Zip line through Vietnam's longest cave, then paddle back out by kayak

A full-day tour from Dong Hoi explores two caves in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park: Phong Nha Cave, the world's longest wet cave, reached by 25-minute boat ride up the Son River; and Dark Cave, where you zip line through fossil-filled passages, soak in a natural mud bath, then kayak back downriver. Includes hotel pickup, lunch with local specialties, and an English-speaking guide. Not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Phong Nha and Dark Cave

• Pick up at Dong Hoi locations
• Boat cruise on Son river
• Visit Phong Nha Cave
• Return to Xuan Son marina
• Lunch with local specialties
• Travel to Chay River - Dark Cave
• Zip line inside Dark Cave
• Mud bath in Dark Cave
• Kayak on Chay River
• Play games on Chay River
• Transfer back to Phong Nha or Dong Hoi
• Drop off at original starting point

The experience

How do you see two of Vietnam's most famous caves in a single day without renting a car? This tour picks you up from your Dong Hoi hotel, airport or train station and drives you to Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park. The first stop is Phong Nha Cave, reached by a 25-minute boat ride up the Son River. You'll pass limestone cliffs, local houses and green fields along the way. Once inside, you spend a couple of hours walking through the water cave, where stalagmites rise in shapes that have formed over millennia. The cave is known as the longest wet cave in the world.

After returning to the marina at 11:30, you eat lunch at a local restaurant serving regional specialties. Then the tour moves to Dark Cave on the Chay River. This is where the physical activity begins: you zip line into the cave, Vietnam's longest zip line, passing ancient fossils embedded in the rock, some over a million years old. At the end of one narrow passage sits a natural mud bath, which the operator notes is good for skin. Once you've explored the cave interior, you kayak back out on the Chay River and join in games like an adventure bridge, basketball and a flying swing before heading back to Dong Hoi or Phong Nha town by 5 p.m.

What’s included

• Pickup from Dong Hoi or Phong Nha town hotels, airport or train station.
• boat ride on Son River to Phong Nha Cave.
• entrance to both Phong Nha Cave and Dark Cave.
• zip line into Dark Cave.
• natural mud bath.
• kayaking on Chay River with river games.
• lunch with local specialties.
• bottled water.
• English-speaking guide.
• air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (9 to 80 years) · Child (5 to 8 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

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 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Phong Nha Cave Day Tours

Is this one for you?The zip line and kayak activities make this tour physically active. If you're comfortable with heights and water sports, the full-day format lets you see both major caves without splitting the experience across two separate bookings. The 10-hour commitment works best for travelers based in Dong Hoi or Phong Nha town who want to pack the national park's highlights into one trip.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 8 years); Infant (under 5): 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.

How long is the boat ride to Phong Nha Cave?

The boat ride up the Son River to Phong Nha Cave takes 25 minutes each way. You'll see limestone cliffs, local villages and greenery along the river before arriving at the cave entrance.

What exactly do you do inside Dark Cave?

You zip line into Dark Cave on Vietnam's longest zip line, passing fossil-filled rock passages. Inside, there's a natural mud bath you can use, and after exploring the cave, you kayak back out on the Chay River and participate in river games like an adventure bridge and flying swing.

Is lunch included, and what kind of food is it?

Yes, lunch is included at a local restaurant at 12:00. The meal features regional specialties prepared by local cooks, eaten between the two cave visits.

What time does the tour start and end?

Pickup begins between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m. from your hotel, airport or train station in Dong Hoi or Phong Nha town. The tour ends around 5 to 5:30 p.m. when you're dropped back at your starting point.

Is an English-speaking guide included?

Yes, a live English-speaking guide is included throughout the day, along with an air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers between Dong Hoi and the national park.