This season, Phong Nha Cave attracts a large number of locals and tourists - Photo: THANH NGUYEN

For a long time, Phong Nha Cave has been a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists thanks to its underground river system, limestone caves, and stunning stalactites formed over millions of years.

To this day, Phong Nha Cave still holds a special attraction for both domestic and international tourists. Especially for many visitors to Quang Tri during this season, Phong Nha Cave, Thien Duong Cave, and the clear streams like Nuoc Mooc Stream and Chay River - Dark Cave are top destinations for exploration and escaping the heat.

According to locals, the name Phong Nha Cave may mean "wind blowing through the teeth" because the cave has many stalactites hanging down like teeth, and the air inside the cave is always cool and breezy.

To reach Phong Nha Cave, visitors travel by boat on the Son River. The cool, green river is lined with countless boats, flanked on both sides by majestic, verdant limestone mountains.

Currently, the entrance fee to Phong Nha Cave is 150,000 VND per person, and the price for a 12-seater boat ride is 700,000 VND per trip.

After about 30 minutes of traveling on the river, the cave entrance appeared majestically at the foot of the rocky mountain. The boat's engine was turned off, and it slowly glided downstream into the cave. The air inside was cool and refreshing, a complete contrast to the intense heat outside, much to the delight of many tourists.

Ms. Bé Yến (a tourist from Da Nang) said this was her first time visiting Phong Nha Cave and she had the experience of "being transported to another world " amidst the peak of the hot weather in Central Vietnam.

"Although I had seen many pictures of Phong Nha Cave on television and social media before, when I arrived in person, I was still overwhelmed by the majestic beauty of nature here. Most of the journey was by boat, so the tour was more relaxing than I expected," Ms. Yen shared.

Stalactites combined with the light reflecting on the water's surface create a magical scene inside Phong Nha Cave - Photo: THANH NGUYEN

Over millions of years of weathering and erosion by water, the stalactite and stalagmite formations in Phong Nha Cave have taken on many unique shapes, leaving visitors in awe. Many people liken the rock formations to Buddha statues, a mother embracing her child, or strange animals. In some sections, the calm water reflects the rock dome, creating a magical scene inside the cave.

Besides the popular option of exploring the caves by boat combined with walking to discover Tien Cave, Cung Dinh Cave, etc., visitors can also choose a tour to conquer the 4,500m depth of Phong Nha Cave with activities such as kayaking, sand bathing inside the cave, and exploring Bi Ky Cave.

According to Ms. Tran Nga, a tour guide at Phong Nha Cave, this is the beginning of the peak summer tourist season, so the number of visitors has increased sharply.

"Not only domestic and international tourists, but also many groups of students flock to Phong Nha Cave for sightseeing and recreation during the summer," Ms. Nga said.

Boats line up to take tourists upstream on the Son River to Phong Nha Cave - Photo: THANH NGUYEN

The stunning scenery at the entrance to Phong Nha Cave - Photo: THANH NGUYEN

The boat, with its engine off, slowly glided downstream into the cave - Photo: THANH NGUYEN

The entrance to Phong Nha cave has become a popular check-in spot for many young people - Photo: THANH NGUYEN

The cool air inside the cave, completely isolated from the intense heat outside, is a delight for many tourists - Photo: THANH NGUYEN

These stalactite formations come in many unique shapes - Photo: THANH NGUYEN

Currently, the entrance fee to Phong Nha Cave is 150,000 VND per person, and the price for a 12-seater boat trip is 700,000 VND per trip - Photo: THANH NGUYEN

The calm water surface reflects the rock arch, creating a magical scene inside the cave - Photo: THANH NGUYEN

Besides the popular option of exploring the caves by boat and walking to discover Tien Cave and Cung Dinh Cave, visitors can also choose a tour to conquer the 4,500m depth of Phong Nha Cave with activities such as kayaking, sand bathing inside the cave, and exploring Bi Ky Cave - Photo: THANH NGUYEN

Phong Nha Cave has become a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists thanks to its underground river system, stunning limestone caves, and beautiful stalactites formed over millions of years. - Photo: THANH NGUYEN

The magical scenery inside Phong Nha Cave - Photo: THANH NGUYEN

A favorite check-in spot for many tourist groups after exploring Phong Nha Cave - Photo: THANH NGUYEN

According to data from the Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park Management Board, in the first three months of 2026, the number of visitors reached over 155,000, an increase of 7% compared to the same period in 2025. Of these, domestic visitors accounted for over 89,000, an increase of 2%; and international visitors accounted for over 65,000, an increase of 11%.

Specifically, the Phong Nha - Ke Bang Tourism Center welcomed and served over 84,000 visitors; the Thien Duong Cave ecotourism area welcomed and served over 52,000 visitors; the routes operated in collaboration with the park management board welcomed over 7,000 visitors; and the Botanical Garden ecotourism and environmental interpretation site welcomed and served over 10,000 visitors.

In recent times, many new caves have been continuously discovered in the Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park area. Most recently, a team of experts from the Royal British Cave Association announced the discovery of 26 new caves in the area.

Source: https://www.vietnam.vn/