Phong Nha and the Great Caves

The Phong Nha-Ke Bang national park in central Vietnam is a wonderland of the greatest caves on earth, a UNESCO landscape of jungle-clad limestone karst riddled with vast caverns and underground rivers. It holds Son Doong, the largest cave in the world, big enough to hold a skyscraper, along with the more accessible Paradise Cave, with its colossal stalactites, and the boat-entered Phong Nha Cave, a still off-the-beaten-track marvel.

What you actually see

• Paradise Cave - the vast, accessible cave of colossal stalactites.
• Phong Nha Cave - the river cave entered by boat.
• Son Doong - the largest cave on earth, by expensive expedition only.
• The karst landscape - the jungle-clad limestone mountains and rivers.

When to go

February to August for the driest weather and safest cave access, as the autumn brings heavy rain and flooding that closes many caves. The famous Son Doong expedition runs only in a limited season and books out a year or more ahead.

Honest expectations

The legendary Son Doong can be seen only on a single tour operator's multi-day expedition, costing thousands and booked a year or more ahead, so most visitors see the accessible Paradise and Phong Nha caves instead, which are still spectacular. The area is remote, and autumn flooding closes caves, so timing matters.

Nearby

The city of Dong Hoi is the gateway; the DMZ sites are to the south.