Central Vietnam: Phong Nha Caves, Hue & Hoi An
Head north from Dong Hoi to explore caves, then travel south across the 17th Parallel via Hue to the ancient town of Hoi An.
Traverse Central Vietnam from north to south. Spend the first three nights exploring Paradise Cave, Phong Nha Cave, and the countryside, then visit the Vinh Moc Tunnels and Hien Luong Bridge on the way to Hue, and finally cross the Hai Van Pass to Hoi An. This itinerary packs caves, war history, and ancient capitals into a single week with manageable driving times, avoiding long round-trips. It bypasses expedition caves like Son Doong, which require booking months in advance.
Caves may close during the flood season in October and November, requiring itinerary adjustments or detours.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Dong Hoi and Transfer to Phong Nha
Phong Nha-Ke Bang（Phong Nha Cave、Tien Son Cave）
Take a taxi from Dong Hoi Airport to Phong Nha town, about 1 hour. Take a boat into Phong Nha Cave in the afternoon.
Stay: Phong Nha Town (Son Trach)
Day 2 · Paradise Cave and Dark Cave
Phong Nha-Ke Bang（Paradise Cave、Dark Cave (Hang Tối)）
Charter a car or ride a motorbike along the National Park road. It takes about 1 hour from town to Paradise Cave; return the same day.
Dark Cave involves swimming and mud baths; bring a change of clothes and a waterproof bag.
Stay: Phong Nha Town (Son Trach)
Day 3 · Bong Lai Valley Countryside and Streams
Phong Nha-Ke Bang（Bong Lai Valley、The Duck Stop、Nuoc Mooc Eco Trail）
Cycle or ride a motorbike to Bong Lai Valley, about 8 km. Take a taxi to Mooc Spring in the afternoon.
Stay: Phong Nha Town (Son Trach)
Day 4 · Cross the 17th Parallel to Hue
Hue（Vinh Moc Tunnels、Hien Luong Bridge (17th Parallel)）
Charter a car south for about 210 km, stopping at Vinh Moc and Hien Luong Bridge along the way, taking about 6 hours in total.
Stay: Le Loi Street, Perfume River South Bank
Day 5 · Imperial City, Thien Mu Pagoda, and Royal Tombs
Hue（Imperial City of Hue、Thien Mu Pagoda、Tomb of Tu Duc、Dong Ba Market）
Walk through the Imperial City in the morning. Take a dragon boat or taxi to Thien Mu Pagoda in the afternoon, then continue to Tu Duc Tomb.
Stay: Le Loi Street, Perfume River South Bank
Day 6 · Hai Van Pass to Hoi An
Hue（Tomb of Khai Dinh、Hai Van Pass） → Da Nang（Marble Mountains、Hoi An Ancient Town）
Charter a car via the Hai Van Pass and Da Nang to Hoi An, about 4 hours, or 6 hours including stops.
Stay: Hoi An Ancient Town Area
Day 7 · My Son Sanctuary and Departure
Round-trip to My Son takes about 3 hours in the morning. Transfer to Da Nang Airport in the afternoon, about 45 minutes.
My Son is cooler and less crowded in the morning; scheduling an afternoon flight is recommended.