Phong Nha

The Train Ride

Getting to Phong Nha wasn’t just a transfer… it was a proper travel day.

We jumped on the train from Da Nang and settled in for the ride, watching Vietnam roll past the window. Cities faded out, buildings thinned, and the landscape slowly opened up into something a bit more raw.

The kids were into it. Snacks, games, looking out the window, just letting the hours pass. The train was well equipped with toilets, boiling water and food vendors coming by every so often. We had our own private cabin with bunks for everyone to stretch out and get comfortable. There was even a small table in the middle so we could play games and eat our noodles.

The train arrived in Dong Hoi late in the afternoon and we organised a Grab to take us to our accommodation in Phong Nha.

Arriving — A Different Feel Straight Away

Phong Nha hits differently.

After the noise and movement of other places, it’s quiet. Properly quiet.

Small town, not much going on, surrounded by mountains and greenery in every direction.

It almost feels like you’ve stepped out of Vietnam for a second… or at least a completely different version of it.

Where We Stayed and Daily Life

We stayed outside the main hub, which is how we like it. It’s quiet and less chaotic.

Mornings were easy. Coffee, breakfast, figuring out what we felt like doing.

Some days we’d head out and explore. Other days we’d just hang around, let the kids do their thing, and enjoy the space.

Getting Around and Exploring

Scooters again became the go-to, but our accommodation had bikes we could borrow, which we also put to use.

Easy to get around, easy to explore, and the best way to actually see the place.

You don’t need to go far before the scenery takes over. Mountains, rivers, jungle… it’s all right there.

It’s one of those places where the ride itself is just as good as wherever you’re heading.

The Caves and the Landscape

This is what Phong Nha is known for.

And it lives up to it.

The caves are huge. The kind of places that make you feel small pretty quickly.

But even outside of that, the whole area feels raw and untouched.

It’s not overdeveloped. It’s not trying too hard.

It just is what it is.

The Balance

What stood out most was the balance.

You could go out and do something adventurous… or do nothing at all.

And both felt like the right choice.

That’s not something you get everywhere.

Travelling as a Family

Phong Nha worked well with the kids.

There’s space, fresh air, and room to just move without constantly worrying about traffic or crowds.

It felt easy.

Not overly exciting every second, but in a way that worked.

Looking Back

Phong Nha wasn’t about big moments.

It was about the feeling of the place.

The journey to get there. The quiet once you arrived. The contrast to everything else.

One of those stops that probably doesn’t stand out on paper… but makes a lot of sense when you’re there.

Explore Our Time in Phong Nha

👉 Follow our day-to-day experiences in our Phong Nha daily journals
👉 View our Phong Nha photo gallery