Why choose Us
HUE – DMZ – PHONG NHA KE BANG NATIONAL PARK 3D2N
Overview
Journey through Vietnam’s remarkable history and natural wonders on this 3-day private tour from Hue to Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. Explore the historic Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), visit significant wartime landmarks including Long Hung Church, Hien Luong Bridge, and the Vinh Moc Tunnels, then discover the breathtaking beauty of Phong Nha Cave and Paradise Cave, two of the world’s most spectacular limestone cave systems. This journey offers a fascinating blend of history, nature, and unforgettable landscapes.
Highlights
- Explore the historic Vietnam DMZ and its significant wartime landmarks
- Visit Long Hung Church, Hien Luong Bridge, and the remarkable Vinh Moc Tunnels
- Cruise by boat into the magnificent Phong Nha Cave
- Discover the spectacular formations inside Paradise Cave (Thien Duong Cave)
- Experience the natural beauty of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Private tour with experienced English-speaking guide
Itinerary
This morning, early breakfast and check out from your hotel by around 8am, heading north from Hue on Highway 1. This drive passes through some of the most historic areas in Vietnam.
During the 1960’s / 70’s war, some of the most fierce fighting was in the area north of Hue at the Ben Hai River /17th parallel division of former North and South Vietnam – ironically known as the DMZ or Demilitarized Zone.
On the way pass by the totally destroyed Long Hung Church, now just a shell of the building remains. The exterior is riddled with bullet marks, giving some idea of the fighting that took place here.
Nowadays this peaceful area is a complete contrast to the former battlegrounds. You may be able to cross the old wooden footbridge over Ben Hai River and also visit the small war museum situated on the north side.
We’ll continue for around a 15 minutes drive to Vinh Moc. A highly impressive complex of tunnels, Vinh Moc is the remains of a coastal North Vietnamese village that literally went underground in response to unremitting American bombing. More than 90 families relocated into three levels of tunnels running for almost 2km, and continued to live and work while bombs rained down around them.
Most of the tunnels are open to visitors, and are kept in their original form (except for electric lights, a recent addition).
Leaving Vinh Moc, we continue north for a couple hours until we reach Phong Nha – Ke Bang, which will be our base for the following days.
Leaving your hotel after breakfast, we’ll drive to Phong Nha Cave. First discovered under French rule in the late 19th century and subsequently fully surveyed in 1990.
Soon after, the cave was given the title of the world’s longest river cave with a length of almost 14km. The first 1.200 meters of the cave was opened up for public viewing. It is only accessible by boat and features an underground river.
The caverns that are open to visitors are quite close to the mouth of the cave. Just as you enter, to the right, disembark your boat on to a landing and a set of stairs that lead to two caverns, or grottos.
At 400 million years of age, these are some of the oldest limestone formations in the world. The curiosities produced when water seeps slowly through limestone for eons are visible everywhere. Intricate stalactites, stalagmites and ground formations are on display everywhere — it’s truly an underground wonderland
Having lunch and transfer to visit Thien Duong cave. Duong “Paradise” Cave took the title of longest cave in Vietnam away from the name star of the park, Phong Nha Cave.
At 31km (19 miles) in length Paradise Cave is more than four times longer than its nearby sister and has perhaps more impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations
Take a deep breath before you go further to prepare yourself for what is ahead, or you will think you have stepped into a primitive forest that has aged into stone mineral. Stalactites that look like temples, cranes with their arched necks looking up to the sky and a pine tree with hundreds of branches are dotted throughout this underground world.
With a little imagination, there is no end to the shapes to be found in the cave. Also around Thien Duong Cave are dozens of stalactite mounds 30-50 centimeters tall, resembling Buddha statues, some of them with diameters of more than a meter. One stalactite structure looks like the communal house of the Central Highlands people.
The British Caving Association has stated that Thien Duong Cave is probably the longest dry cave in Asia.
Afterwards, we’ll return to your accommodation in the National Park. The remainder of the day is free for you to rest.
Enjoy a leisurely morning in Phong Nha before check-out. Take your time to relax, explore the charming village at your own pace, or simply enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this UNESCO-listed national park.
Late morning, depart for Hue on a comfortable private transfer. Arrive in Hue in the late afternoon, marking the end of your memorable journey through Vietnam’s historic DMZ and spectacular cave landscapes.
Includes/Excludes
Includes:
- Private air-conditioned vehicle throughout the tour
- Experienced English-speaking guide
- 2 night accommodation with daily breakfast
- Meals as specified in the itinerary ( lunches)
- Entrance fees and sightseeing tickets as mentioned
- Bottled drinking water during touring days
Excludes:
- International / domestic flights
- Accommodation in Hue
- Vietnam visa (if applicable)
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Tips for guide and driver
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Optional activities and services not specified above