Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Vietnam

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Home to spectacular scenery jewelled with plunging waterfalls, lush rainforest and a huge cave structure, Phong Nha National Park offers something special for each and every visitor. It’s easy to see why the park in all its stunning glory is a UNESCO heritage listed location!

Exploring the park

There are plenty of organised tours, mainly to the caves, however, if you’re comfortable in doing so, the the best way to enjoy it is on a motorbike or scooter, giving you the flexibility to explore at your own pace. Drive down winding, empty roads surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest and allow yourself hours to truly make the most of the vast landscape.

The park hit the headlines when it was used as a filming location for the latest King Kong movie, but fortunately it’s still very much untouched by mass tourism. The limestone caves attract most of the visitors to the area and there’s a wide variety of different size caverns to explore. Free maps are available in the town highlighting some of the key features and detailing the ‘loop’; a 60km round drive through the park.

Dense jungle

It’s home to vast wildlife, though you will need sharp eyes to spot the black bears and globally threatened large antlered muntjacs. The huge biodiversity within the park has also led to the creation of a botanical gardens which has become a popular attraction. Don't forget the bug spray!

The best way of getting around the national park