"Cave Explorer" a Phong Nha Travel Page by mnhaus

From Hue, Phong Nha cave is about five hours northwest, and about an hour northwest of Dong Hoi. The caves themselves were formed about 250 million years ago, as water eroded the limestone rock that makes up a good portion of the geologic features of the landscape.

The cave was used during the American and French wars for many things, from a hospital to an ammo storage site. You will be able to see due to it's size why it made such a good hideaway.

Phong Nha cave is reported to be the largest and most beautiful cave in Vietnam (according to our guide). To get there, you must take a boat from the docks at the park entrance. The cave entrance is only reachable by riverboat, but it is actually a nice way of getting there. The views are stunning - the surrounding rock formations are jagged and emerge from the countryside in a steep, almost offensive manner.

The tour of the caves lasts about an hour or so, you are taken through by boat and dropped off to walk through a passage back to the main site.

Another cave lies up the hillside from the main grounds, and is worth a visit. There is a Buddhist at the top also. The walk up the mountain is steep and can be exhausting in the heat and humidity. Fortunately it's not really that far of a walk and there are plenty of vendors who've staked out their place on the trail so that you can buy a water or juice to keep you going.