Phong Nha & Paradise Cave tour from Dong Hoi: Two UNESCO caves

Two of the world's longest caves in one day, reached by boat and on foot through limestone peaks.

This full-day small-group tour from Dong Hoi explores Phong Nha Cave and Paradise Cave, the two most famous caves in UNESCO-listed Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Hotel pickup, entrance tickets, a dragon boat ride into Phong Nha, a golf car ride to Paradise Cave, lunch at a local restaurant and an English-speaking guide are all included. The tour runs 8 to 9 hours and returns to Dong Hoi by late afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Phong Nha and Paradise Caves

• Pick up from Dong Hoi hotels
• Travel to Phong Nha National Park
• Visit Paradise Cave and climb to entrance
• Enjoy lunch at local restaurant
• Boat cruise on Son River to Phong Nha Cave
• Explore Phong Nha Cave by boat
• Return to vehicle and depart Phong Nha
• Drop off at Dong Hoi hotels

The experience

You start with hotel pickup in Dong Hoi central area, then drive to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. The first stop is Paradise Cave, the longest dry cave in Asia at 31 kilometers, though the standard route takes you through the first kilometer. From the golf car drop-off, it's a 600-meter climb up to the entrance, where wooden staircases descend into a cathedral-like cavern filled with alien-looking stalagmites and stalactites. The scale is hard to grasp until you're standing inside it. Those who want to go deeper past the marked barrier may spot eyeless cavefish that live in the cave's ecosystem.

By 12:30 you're back in Phong Nha village for lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward, the group heads to Phong Nha Cave, the world's longest wet cave at 7,729 meters. A dragon boat takes you on a 25-minute cruise down the Son River. You'll pass greenfields, houses and limestone cliffs before reaching the cave entrance. Once inside, the boats move slowly through the water, propelled by long poles. The cavern opens into a massive stone chamber with giant stalactite chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The formations have been named the Lion, the Fairy Caves, the Royal Court and the Buddha. The tour ends with a return drive to your hotel in Dong Hoi, arriving around 5:30 p.m.

The group stays small, and your guide speaks English and Vietnamese. Water is provided on the vehicle. If you're visiting during Vietnamese Tet Festival (Lunar New Year), there's a 10 USD per-person surcharge, paid in cash to the guide on the day.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Dong Hoi.
• entrance tickets to both Phong Nha Cave and Paradise Cave.
• dragon boat ride on the Son River to Phong Nha Cave.
• golf car transport to Paradise Cave.
• lunch at a local restaurant in Phong Nha village.
• bottled water on the vehicle.
• English and Vietnamese-speaking guide.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (6 to 90 years) · Child (3 to 5 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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 28 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Must-See Vietnam Travel

Is this one for you?If you're in Dong Hoi with a free day and want to see two of the world's longest caves without arranging transport or tickets yourself, this small-group tour handles the logistics: pickup, entry, boat and guide are all set, so you focus on the caves instead of the planning.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 5 years); Infant (under 3).

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 hike to Paradise Cave entrance?

From the golf car drop-off, it's a 600-meter climb up to the cave entrance: a sweaty walk uphill through forested karst terrain, but the wooden staircases inside the cave make the descent manageable.

What is Phong Nha Cave like compared to Paradise Cave?

Phong Nha Cave is a wet cave carved by the Son River, famous for its rock formations and giant stalactites. You explore it by dragon boat. Paradise Cave is a dry cave, the longest in Asia, explored on foot down wooden staircases into vast chambers filled with stalagmites and stalactites.

Is lunch included, and what about drinks?

Lunch at a local restaurant in Phong Nha village is included at 12:30. Drinks during lunch are optional and not included in the base price.

What's the boat ride like on the Son River?

The dragon boat ride to Phong Nha Cave takes about 25 minutes and moves slowly through the water, propelled by long poles. You'll see the river landscape, local houses and limestone cliffs along the way.

Can infants come on this tour?

Yes, infants are welcome and can sit on an adult's lap. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though the 600-meter climb to Paradise Cave entrance is steep.