Is 2 days enough in Phong Nha?

Is it worth staying in Phong Nha?

Phong Nha? Oh man, totally worth it.

Seriously, it was like, December 2023, right? I was backpacking, solo trip thing.

Price? Dirt cheap! I mean, hostels were practically giving beds away.

I stayed at Easy Tiger. Loud, yeah, but FUN. Met some wicked people there. Parties every night.

Dark Cave? Yeah, we skipped it. Heard it was cool, but kinda touristy.

Too many crowds, you know? Needed to keep moving.

Plus, my travel buddy Sarah really wanted to get to Hoi An for tailoring.

Hoi An, now THAT place is a rip-off. I shoulda stayed longer in Phong Nha, definitely.

Things to do in Phong Nha (besides caves!):

• Motorbike loop: Rent a bike and just GO. Amazing views, rice paddies, water buffalo. Get seriously lost, it is nice
• National Park: Hike, swim, explore. Pack snacks!
• Hang En Cave: If you’re rich, hire a tour. It is expensive but unforgettable.

Sarah’s friend, Marcus, did Tu Lan Cave. Said it was epic! Like, seriously.

Weather in December? Bit chilly, bring a jacket. Rain is possible. Pack dry clothes, lesson learned.

Food? Pho was amazing, obviously. Spring rolls too. I also had some mystery meat thing, not so great.

Actually I think Easy Tiger had okay food, that helps.

Bottom line: Phong Nha rules. Ninh Binh I missed, will go in 2025. Screw Sapa (personal opinion).

How many days should I spend in Nha Trang?

Oh, Nha Trang, right? Uhm, okay, so like, how long to stay there really depends. I mean, do you wanna just chill on the beach, or, yknow, actually do stuff?

Three or four days is uh, like, a decent amount of time if you wanna see some stuff and stuff. It give’s you time for the beach plus, like, looking around.

Okay, so, stuff you could do:

• Beach time: Obvi. It’s why people go!
• Dam Market: Haggle for souvenirs and fake stuff. Its fun!
• Seafood overload: The freshest! Get ready to eat.
• Po Nagar Cham Towers: Some ancient cool stuff!

Honestly, even two days could be enough if you really only want the bare minimum, you know? I spent like, five days when I went, I think? My mom loves markets, we went to Dam market every day!

How long should I stay in Phong Nha?

Phong Nha? Hmm, at least three days, maybe four.

Okay, so back in October of 2023, I was in Phong Nha…man, that place just hits different.

We arrived late, around 10 pm, at the Central Backpackers Hostel. Crazy loud, but hey, young and dumb, right?

First day: Paradise Cave. Okay, stunning. Absolutely stunning. But SO MANY tourists. Like, seriously, get out of my way.

Second day was Dark Cave. Zip-lining into the river? YES. Mud bathing? Messy, but hilarious. Kayaking? Even better. Felt like a total adrenaline junky.

Then we hiked! Ke Bang National Park. Hot. Sweaty. Worth it? Absolutely. But my feet were killing me afterwards.

Seriously, you need at least a half-day for each cave. Plus travel time between everything.

• Phong Nha Cave: Boat trip up the river, worthwhile.
• Paradise Cave: Get ready for stairs. A lot of stairs.
• Dark Cave: Pack a swimsuit, duh!
• Hiking: Good shoes. Water. Snacks. Sunscreen!
• Central Backpackers Hostel: Loud. Cheap. Social. Up to you, honestly.
• October weather: Hot, humid, some rain.

Four days was almost enough. Another day? Sure, why not? Could have chilled more, y’know? Or hit up one of those smaller caves. Next time!

Is Phong Nha Ke Bang worth visiting?

Dude, Phong Nha-Ke Bang? Totally worth it. Think Jurassic Park, but with actual caves, not CGI dinosaurs. Seriously impressive.

Where’s this magical place? Vietnam, obviously. Specifically, central Vietnam. Near enough to the Laos border to accidentally wander in and need a translator.

When to go? Avoid the rainy season. Think July through October. It’s like a monsoon, a biblical deluge. You’ll be swimming in your own sweat, even if you’re not swimming. The rest of the year’s pretty chill. Think of it this way:

• Dry season: Sun’s out, guns out (sunblock, obviously!).
• Rainy season: Noah’s Ark vibes. Might need an ark.

Things to know: It’s breathtaking, naturally. But seriously, you’ll be blown away by:

• The caves: Massive. I mean massive. Think a million bats in one place, probably more. My cousin’s fiancé’s uncle swore he saw a dragon. I’m not saying he’s reliable, but…
• The jungle: Like something from a Tarzan movie, except without the overly-muscled primate. Plenty of creepy crawlies, though. Pack bug spray stronger than nuclear fallout.
• The food: Delicious. Nom nom nom. Seriously. Best pho I’ve ever had. I swear.

Seriously, go. You won’t regret it. Unless you’re terrified of bats or heights. Or both. Then maybe reconsider. But still, seriously. Go.