Travel Guide To DISCOVERY LODGE in Phong Nha

Phong Nha is always an ideal destination in Vietnam, known for its natural wonders as the world's largest cave Son Doong Cave, Phong Nha cave system with plenty of things to see and do. With its unique beauty and charm, Phong Nha has become a must-visit destination for travelers from all over the world. Discovery Lodge, a cozy hotel located at the center of Phong Nha village, will bring you the most comfortable and convenient to explore this beautiful region. To make your journey to Phong Nha easier, below are the different ways you can travel to Discovery Lodge from various locations:

From Dong Hoi to Phong Nha

Discovery Lodge is in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park and is located about 48 km west of Dong Hoi city. It is easy and convenient to get here by taxi, motorbike, public bus, or private car.

We are happy to offer you a private transfer from Phong Nha to Dong Hoi (train station/or airport) (or vice versa) for VND 600,000/one-way/ 4 or 7 seater car.

If you have any questions regarding transfers or need help deciding the best means of transportation before or after a Phongnha Discovery tour, please do not hesitate to contact Discovery Lodge consultant team for recommendations regarding your travels. Hotline: +84941247373.

Hanoi to/from Phong Nha

It is relatively easy to find the way to move from Hanoi to Phong Nha. Going by rain, sleeper bus or plane will be the most suitable way. Most sleeper bus companies now stop directly in Phong Nha. From dropping point of bus to Discovery Lodge, it's around 300m and we are pleasure to welcome you anytime (our reception team serves 24/7). Your luggage can be stored at our reception area and you can take a short rest at our Dorm room ( 170,000 vnd per person including breakfast). 

(Please be aware that all suggested bus, train and airline companies, and their agencies, operate entirely independently of Discovery Lodge. Bear in mind that all information is subject to change as per the transportation company’s discretion, and we accept no responsibility for the service provided by any other company).

BUS TRAVEL

Hung Long, Queen Cafe Bus and Camel Travel operate regular services, departing from Hanoi between 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM.

You can either book in person through your hotel in Hanoi, or telephone/visit their offices.

Hưng Long Bus
• Address: 338 Tran Khat Chan or House No. 01, Alley 2, Dinh Thon Village Gate, Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi.
• Tel: 02436 889 889 / 0963 388 388
• Departure time: 7:30 PM
• Arrival time: About 6:00 AM
• Arrival address: Hung Long Office, Xuan Tien Village, Phong Nha Town.

Camel Travel Bus
• Address: 459 Tran Khat Chan St.
• Tel: 0906266464
• Departure time from Hanoi: 7:00 PM
• Arrival time in Phong Nha: Around 5:00 AM the next morning
• Arrival address in Phong Nha: Central Backpacker Hostel

Queen Cafe Bus
• Address: 208 Tran Quang Khai St.
• Tel: +84 24 3903 6036 - 02439283666
• Departure time from Hanoi: 6:00 PM
• Arrival time in Phong Nha: Around 5 AM the next morning
• Arrival address in Phong Nha: Central Backpacker Hostel

NOTE:

These buses also provide a Phong Nha – Ha Noi route, departing between 7:45 PM and 9:00 PM, and arriving into Ha Noi at 5:00 – 6:00 AM. We also support buying tickets according to your schedule. 

TRAIN TRAVEL

Trains are an enjoyable way to travel and see a bit of the countryside. A soft-sleeper cabin is the most comfortable option with only 4 people per cabin, allowing travelers to sit up or lie down. A hard-sleeper cabin does not provide enough room to sit up, and there are 6 beds per cabin. Overnight trains are a good option; you not only get somewhere to sleep for a night but also avoid missing out on another day of adventure.

We recommend the following overnight train from Hanoi to Dong Hoi: SE1 or SE3. 

You will need to book a transfer from Phong Nha to Dong Hoi in advance. We are happy to offer you a private transfer between Dong Hoi and Phong Nha in a 4 or 7-seater car for VND 600,000 each way.

AIR TRAVEL

Of course, the fastest mode of transport is to fly direct: Hanoi to Dong Hoi is just a 1 hour and 25-minute flight. However, you have to factor in travel time to the airport (1 hour from the Old Quarter). It is best to book in advance with Vietnam Airlines or Bamboo Airways websites. Otherwise, we suggest using the train or bus. Note that if you choose to fly, you will have to book a transfer from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha. We are happy to offer you a private transfer from Phong Nha to Dong Hoi for VND 600,000/one-way/4-7 seater car.

Ho Chi Minh City to/from Phong Nha

Ho Chi Minh City, still known by its former name of Saigon, is the biggest city in Vietnam. It is a focal point for those looking to see highlights such as the Mekong Delta, and it is an international transport hub.

The only practical way to journey between Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and Phong Nha is to take a flight with Vietnam Airlines, VietjetAir to Dong Hoi City (located 45 mins drive from Phong Nha). From Dong Hoi, you will need to book a transfer to Phong Nha. We are happy to offer you a private transfer between Dong Hoi and Phong Nha in a 4 OR 7-seater car for VND 600,000 each way.

The bus and train journeys are both just too long to be viable options for those wanting to travel quickly between the two cities. Alternatively, for those on a budget who have a little more time, the cheapest flights are often available between HCMC and Da Nang or Hue (versus direct to Dong Hoi). From Da Nang or Hue, one can take a train to Dong Hoi or even a bus directly to Phong Nha.

Ninh Bình to/from Phong Nha

Ninh Binh is located on the way from Hanoi to Phong Nha, so you can take the same bus or train.

BUS TRAVEL

Queen Café Bus
• Address: 46 Street 27/7, Ninh Binh City, or Tam Coc Wharf, Vietnam.
• Tel: 02439283666
• Departure time: 8:30 PM
• Arrival time in Phong Nha: Around 5:00 AM
• Arrival address in Phong Nha: Central Backpacker Hostel

Hung Long Bus
• Address: Near Big C Supermarket or Tam Diep - Tam Coc, Ninh Binh.
• Tel:02436 889 889 / 0963 388 388
• Departure time: 9:00 - 9:30 PM
• Arrival time in Phong Nha: Around 6:00 AM
• Arrival address in Phong Nha: Hung Long Office, Xuan Tien Village, Phong Nha Town.

Camel Travel Bus
• Address: Near Big C Supermarket of Ninh Binh
• Tel: 0906266464
• Departure time from Hanoi: 8:00 - 8:30 PM
• Arrival time in Phong Nha: Around 5:30 AM the next morning
• Arrival address in Phong Nha: Central Backpacker Hostel

NOTE:

These buses also provide a Phong Nha – Ninh Binh route, departing between 7:45 PM and 9:00 PM, and arriving into Ninh Binh at 3:00 – 5:00 AM. You can buy tickets at our reception with good price. 

TRAIN TRAVEL

Trains are an enjoyable way to travel and see a bit of the countryside. A soft-sleeper cabin is the most comfortable option with only 4 people per cabin, allowing travelers to sit up or lie down. A hard-sleeper cabin does not provide enough room to sit up, and there are 6 beds per cabin. Overnight trains are a good option; you not only get somewhere to sleep for a night but also avoid missing out on another day of adventure.

Hue to/from Phong Nha

Hue is located just a few hours’ drive from the jungle and caving capital of Vietnam. It is a relatively convenient route with trains and buses offered by a number of companies, as well a private transfer option if you prefer.

BUS TRAVEL

Camel Travel Bus
• Address: 86 Nguyen Sinh Cung
• Departure time from Hue: 5:00 PM
• Arrival time in Phong Nha: 9:30 PM
• Tel: 0906266464
• Arrival address in Dong Hoi: Central Backpacker Hostel

You can book tickets at reception of Discovery Lodge with good price.

TRAIN TRAVEL

Hue is just a short 3-hour train journey from Dong Hoi and is a popular city to visit before, or after, one of our caving adventures. However, the connections in the late evening or morning are inconvenient and would have you arriving in Dong Hoi, bleary-eyed, at 2:00 AM or 5:00 AM, making it difficult to check in to any hotel.

We would suggest arriving the day before if you intend to take a train from Hue. This ensures you have plenty of rest before your discovery trip. Do not forget, if you are traveling on the train to Dong Hoi, you will need to book an additional transfer between Dong Hoi and Phong Nha. We are happy to offer you a private transfer between Dong Hoi and Phong Nha in a 4 OR 7-seater car for VND 600,000 each way.

You can check the train schedule via the Vietnam Railway official website: http://dsvn.vn (English/Vietnamese) or contact directly with our reception so that we will support buying tickets for you.

PRIVATE TRANSFER

We are happy to offer private transfers between Hue and Phong Nha for VND 3,500,000/ 7-seater/each way. Please indicate the number of passengers when booking a private transfer with us.

Da Nang/Hoi An to/from Phong Nha

Da Nang is the biggest city in central Vietnam, with beautiful beaches, mountains and only a 45 min drive from the UNESCO world heritage town of Hoi An. It is a 7 hour train/bus journey between Da Nang and Phong Nha.

BUS TRAVEL

Hanh Luyen Bus
• Address: Da Nang Central Bus Station
• Departure time from Da Nang: 09:45 AM and 5:30 PM
• Arrival time in Phong Nha: Varies (Kindly confirm with bus company)
• Tel: 0912173173

NOTE: You can book bus tickets at our reception with good price. 

Hanh Luyen leaves Phong Nha at 7:30 PM and you can get tickets at Discovery Lodge. They reach Hue at around 12:00 AM, Da Nang at around 02:00 AM and Hoi An at around 03:30 AM.

TRAIN TRAVEL

There is no train station in Hoi An. You will need to transfer to Da Nang first if you would like to travel by train.

We recommend arriving the day before your tour if you are taking the train from Da Nang. This ensures you get a good night’s sleep, and are not arriving too early in the morning. From Dong Hoi, you will need to book an additional transfer to Phong Nha. We are happy to offer you a private transfer between Dong Hoi and Phong Nha in a 4 OR 7-seater car for VND 600,000 each way.

You can check the train schedule via the Vietnam Railway official website: http://dsvn.vn (English/Vietnamese) or contact book your train tickets in advance with our reception.

PRIVATE TRANSFER

We are happy to offer you a private transfer between Da Nang or Hoi An and Phong Nha. To and from Da Nang costs VND 4,200,000/1 private car/each way; and to/from Hoi An costs VND 4,500,000/1 private car/each way. Please indicate the number of passengers when booking a private transfer with us.

If you have any questions regarding transfers or need help on deciding your best means of transportation before, or after a Phongnha Discovery Tour, please do not hesitate to contact our Travel Consultant. Hotline: +84941247373 (WhatsApp/Zalo/Viber).

Around Phong Nha

Transportation in Phong Nha is quite easy. You can choose to rent a car, or motorbike, or use the free bicycles at Discovery Lodge. Don't hesitate to contact the front desk for more information!

Discovery Lodge is located in center of Phong Nha, about 500m to Phong Nha Cave.