Buzz
Visit Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park this season and be mesmerized by the majestic beauty of Hang En, hailed as the 3rd largest cave in the world. What's even more special is that exploring Hang En only takes two days and one night, perfect for avid explorers with limited time. Join Mytour for a trekking journey to Hang En on the upcoming weekend.
Uncover the secrets of Quang Binh: Experience the wonders of Hang En over the weekend.
With a total length of 1,645m traversing through a mountain and featuring three cave entrances, Hang En lies in the Southeast to Northwest direction following the flow of Rao Thuong stream. National Geographic (USA) recognizes Hang En as one of the most spectacular caves in the world.
Mode of transportation
From Saigon, catch a flight to Dong Hoi, Quang Binh. Currently, the three largest airlines in Vietnam operate round-trip flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Dong Hoi. However, there's only one round-trip flight each day around noon and afternoon. The average ticket price is about 1,000,000 VND per trip per person. Another option is taking the train, but the travel time is approximately 20 hours on the train, not suitable for those constrained by time.
There are flights from Hanoi to Dong Hoi, with Vietnam Airlines and Jetstar being the only two operators. They offer one round-trip flight per day in the early morning and afternoon. Ticket prices range from 1,200,000 to 2,000,000 VND per person per trip. The train is a more popular choice, especially when traveling in the evening, arriving in Quang Binh the next morning.
Itinerary
Day 1:
Morning: Your guide will pick you up from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha. They will provide safety regulations, environmental protection guidelines, and instructions on using equipment during the tour. You'll be equipped with safety gear and transported to the starting point on the Ho Chi Minh Trail - West route. It takes about 45 minutes for the vehicle to take you to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park before starting the trekking journey to Hang En. The next part is a 4km hike through the forest incline.
Noon: Arrive at Doong village for lunch and rest. You can take advantage of the time to explore the life and activities of the locals. After lunch, the group continues to cross the stream and trek about 5km through the forest.
Afternoon: Arrive at Hang En, where you'll enjoy a refreshing swim in the emerald green water. Everyone will be guided by experts to set up camp on the sandy beach inside Hang En.
The unique charm of Hang En, unlike anywhere else, lies in the vivid hues of the deep green river, and the light filtering through the skylights on the cave ceiling enhances the scenery, making it even more dazzling and enchanting.
On the ceiling, within the rock crevices and various formations of stalactites and stalagmites, are the nests of tens of thousands of swallows and bats, giving the cave its name, Hang En. Moreover, from inside the cave, looking out towards the northwest entrance with a cave vault over 80m high, you will witness a vast and vibrant landscape.
Evening: A group of people will catch fish under the stream for dinner. Enjoy a BBQ dinner and spend the night in tents.
Day 2:
Morning: Wake up to enjoy a breakfast prepared by the team. Continue exploring the magnificent scenes inside the cave. You can climb to the highest point of the cave to admire fossils that are 300 million years old.
Noon: Leave Hang En, trek through the forest, cross streams to return to Doong village. Lunch break.
Afternoon: Depart from Doong village, continue crossing numerous streams and climbing 3 slopes to reach the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The vehicle will pick you up and take you back to Phong Nha, returning to the initial hotel. The journey concludes around 5 in the evening.
Key points to note during the tour:
– The tour is exclusively for adults aged 16 and above.
– A maximum group size is 16 people.
– The tour price is 6,000,000 VND/person or 282 USD/person (only 1/10th of the cost of the Son Doong tour).
– The tour is not available from September to December.
After exploring Hang En, you can head to the pier to continue exploring Phong Nha Cave with a train ticket costing around 320,000 VND/person and an entrance ticket of 150,000 VND/person. Before leaving Quang Binh in the afternoon, you may also visit Thien Duong Cave in the early morning. This beautiful cave was also discovered by Ho Khanh.
Accommodation
If you fly in on a Friday, you can book a hotel in Dong Hoi. Some hotel options to consider are Saigon Hotel – Dong Hoi, Muong Thanh Quang Binh Hotel, Tan Binh Hotel...
By Tieu Duy
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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide
MytourMay 29, 2015
