Traveling from Hoi An to Phong Nha offers several options, each catering to different preferences. Whether you choose to travel by bus, private car, or train, each option provides its own experience. We’ll cover the most popular methods to help you decide which is best for your journey.
Good to know
What is Phong Nha?
Phong Nha is a national park known for its incredible caves, dense jungles, and diverse wildlife. It’s not a city or large tourist hub, so transportation options are somewhat limited. Be prepared for fewer transport connections compared to major cities like Da Nang or Hanoi.
Dong Hoi
Dong Hoi is the closest city to Phong Nha, located about 45 km away. While it’s not a major city, it lies along National Highway 1 and the Reunification Express railway between Hanoi and Da Nang. Dong Hoi also has a small airport, so it’s accessible by train, bus, and flight.
Son Trach Town
Son Trach Town is the main tourist base for Phong Nha National Park. It’s located around a 45-minute drive from Dong Hoi and offers accommodation, restaurants, and tours for exploring the park.
Stop over in Hue
While it’s possible to travel directly from Hoi An to Phong Nha, you might miss out on Hue. The route from Hoi An to Hue includes the famous Hai Van Pass, considered the most beautiful coastal road in Vietnam. Hue itself is rich in history, being the former imperial city, and is home to ancient temples, tombs, and palaces. If your schedule allows, it’s worth adding a day or two to explore Hue instead of rushing past it.
Option 1: Private car
Traveling by private car from Hoi An to Phong Nha is the most flexible and comfortable option. You can decide your own schedule, make stops along the way, and enjoy a more relaxed journey. The car ride will take approximately 6 to 7 hours, depending on traffic and the number of stops you choose to make. The cost ranges from 100 to 150 euros, depending on the car type and whether you add sightseeing stops, such as a stopover in Hue or a scenic drive over the Hai Van Pass.
This option is particularly good if you’re traveling in a small group, as you can share the cost and enjoy the convenience of door-to-door service.
Option 2: Bus
Taking a bus from Hoi An to Phong Nha is the most affordable option, but it’s also the least flexible. Most buses depart in the evening, which means you’ll be traveling overnight and arriving in Phong Nha early in the morning. This allows you to save time during the day for exploring, but not everyone finds it easy to sleep on a bus.
The trip takes around 6 to 7 hours, and the bus fare ranges between 12 and 15 euros, depending on the type of bus. There are standard sleeper buses as well as more comfortable VIP buses with wider seats and more privacy.
For those looking to save money, the bus is the best option, but it may not be as comfortable as traveling by private car or train.
Option 3: Train Da Nang – Dong Hoi
Although Hoi An doesn’t have a train station, you can travel 30 minutes by car or taxi to Da Nang, which is the biggest transportation hub in central Vietnam. Many trains leave from Da Nang to Dong Hoi, the closest train station to Phong Nha. Once you arrive in Dong Hoi, it’s a 45-minute taxi ride to Son Trach Town, the main tourist hub for Phong Nha National Park.
Train information:
- Duration: Approximately 6 hours for the train ride from Da Nang to Dong Hoi
- Price: Between 11 and 15 euros, depending on the class of ticket
- Recommendation: For a 6-hour trip, even during the daytime, it’s most recommended to book a 4-berth cabin for comfort. This gives you a private space to relax during the journey.
This option offers scenic views of central Vietnam, including coastal areas and the countryside. Although you need to factor in the additional time and cost for the taxi ride to Phong Nha, the train is a good balance between affordability and comfort.
