Dong Hoi and Phong Nga Ke Bang National Park

Son River

Phong Nga Cave

Phong Nga Cave

All the soft sleepers on the night train were sold out, so we opted for a soft seat instead.( yes they sell hard seats) We couldn’t delay our journey south any longer. This train was nothing like the sleek bullet trains of China. The Vietnamese rail system is slow and antiquated. No worries. With help from a sleeping pill I tolerated the trip with ease.
From the coastal city of Dong Hoi, we set up our tour to 2 of Vietnams extraordinary caves within tropical jungles of Ke Bang National Park. Recently discovered in 2005, the astounding Paradise Cave was only opened to the public in 2011. The main cavern is so immense it could hold a football field including the grandstands! The near 1000 step climb to the entrance( tiny compared to what unfolds once inside) is worth it for the reward of such a wonderous underground spectacle.
Phong Nga Cave has been open to the public since the 90’s. We reached it via The Son River on a motorized wooden boat. Once inside the mouth of the cave, the boat’s motor is shut off a

nd we floated on the river through cavern after cavern of stalactites and stalagmites, enveloped in the cool refreshing air of the underground. It was even more enjoyable because we didn’t have to climb anything to get to that cave!