About 220km total until I reached Phong Nha National Park. On the way I passed the Ngang Pass. The first place I saw the ocean again after a very long time. It appeared without warning behind a turn. Quite surprising.
The landscape around there was beautiful as well.
After a few hours of driving and many stops I finally reached Phong Nha National Park.
This is the entrance to the Phong Nha Cave. I heared it is very beautiful, but you have to hire a guide and a boat to get inside. For me it was too expensive. There are some tours where you can sleep inside the cave and do many different activities there.
On that day I explored the surroundings a little and gathered information on what to do the next day. There was a trekking path at the botanical garden. You could do three different paths of different duration. I recommend the shortest one. The other two are just trekking through the jungle without having much information or any beautiful scenery.
The Paradise cave was quite expensive for my budget, 250.000 Dong(8,50€), but definitely worth it. Without a guide you can go in for 1 km and see its beauty. With a guide you can go 7km deep. I only have been for 1km and was amazed.
"The best things in life are free." And so is driving around Phong Nha National Park. 66km of awesomeness.
Every day here in Vietnam is amazing. I learn a lot and see a lot. For anyone who has the time. Come and see this national park. And bring money. The caves aren't cheap.
Safe travel
Cosmin