Quang Binh Backpacking Tips - Important Things to Know

Quang Binh backpacking has become a popular trend in the last 3 years. This region in the northern part of Central Vietnam, with its rugged terrain and beautiful landscapes, is a fascinating destination that appeals to adventurous souls.

Here are some Quang Binh backpacking tips that Mytour will share with you. You're sure to have exciting trips and pick up some important notes for your Quang Binh backpacking journey!

Overview of Quang Binh tourism

Quang Binh is known as the “kingdom of caves”. With over 300 caves big and small, such as Son Doong Cave, En Cave, Paradise Cave, Phong Nha Cave, and Fairy Cave, the area boasts strange, vivid landscapes and many undiscovered natural mysteries, making it ideal for adventure tourism. Not only that, but Quang Binh also has pristine beaches with white sandy shores, stunning golden sand dunes, as if inviting adventurous souls to choose Quang Binh backpacking as their destination.

Scenic view of Quang Binh as a coastal city

Best time to go backpacking in Quang Binh

Quang Binh has two distinct seasons: rainy season and dry season. According to shared backpacking experiences in Quang Binh, you should go from March to September, as this is when the weather is most stable. If you choose to visit Quang Binh from September to March next year, you may encounter very large storms, slippery roads, and difficulties in transportation and dining.

Beautiful weather when visiting Quang Binh

What is the best mode of transportation for backpacking to Quang Binh?

To quickly and enjoyably reach famous Quang Binh tourist destinations, a motorbike is the best choice. You can choose to ride a motorbike from home or take other means of transportation and then rent a motorbike in Quang Binh. Quang Binh has full facilities with an airport, train station, and National Highway 1A passing through, so you can choose the most suitable method of transportation for your budget. When you arrive in Dong Hoi city, you should rent a motorbike to continue your exploration. The cost of renting a motorbike in Quang Binh is about 150,000 VND per day.

Choosing a convenient accommodation location when traveling to Quang Binh

Additionally, if you plan to visit Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, it is advisable not to travel by motorbike due to long, dangerous roads. More importantly, you won't be able to see much as most of your time will be spent focusing on riding and finding your way. It's better to choose a day tour in Quang Binh, which will ensure safety and provide guidance to more interesting places.

Where should you stay when traveling to Quang Binh?

- If you want a budget-friendly and lively atmosphere, the area around Dong Hoi station - Thuan Ly street has many cheap accommodations ranging from 100,000 to 300,000 VND per room per night, which is a reasonable choice for you.

- If you prefer comfort and convenience, you can choose hotels and guesthouses near Nhat Le Bridge (about 3km from the station).

- For a peaceful and beach-close experience, based on Quang Binh backpacking experience, you should stay at Da Nhay Hotel located right on Highway 1A, overlooking Da Nhay Beach, about 27km from Dong Hoi. However, the area can be quite quiet in the evenings as the population is still sparse.

Super beautiful homestays in Quang Binh

What to eat in Quang Binh?

Cháo Canh (Vietnamese rice porridge with pork)

Cháo Canh is a distinctive dish in Quang Binh cuisine. The porridge has a rich broth with local spices and various seafood such as shrimp, snakehead fish, and ribs. There are two types of Cháo Canh made from rice flour or wheat flour, and the price per bowl is quite cheap, ranging from 20,000 to 25,000 VND.

Specialty dish - Cháo Canh Quang Binh

Bánh Khoái (Savoury Fried Pancake)

Bánh Khoái is quite similar to bánh xèo (Vietnamese sizzling pancake) but the batter is crispier and thicker, filled with beef or shrimp. It is eaten wrapped with raw vegetables and dipped in a special sauce that is fragrant with shrimp and roasted peanuts, incredibly delicious.

Bánh khoái resembles bánh xèo

Seafood

When visiting Quang Binh, eating seafood along the riverbank is a great experience. Along Truong Phap Street, there are many restaurants along the Nhật Lệ beach. You can sit at any restaurant without worrying about being overcharged.

When in Quang Binh, you can't miss the taste of seafood here

Where to go, what to do when backpacking in Quang Binh?

To fully explore the most interesting places in Quang Binh, you should spend 2 - 3 days on your trip.

Tourist attractions in downtown Dong Hoi

• Quang Binh Quan

• Mother Suot Statue

• Ruins of the Bell Tower of Tam Toa Church

• Luy Thay

• Nhật Lệ Beach

• Quang Phu Sand Dune

Tourist attractions in Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park

• Phong Nha Cave, ticket price: 150,000VND/way for heights over 1m3. Boat tour of Phong Nha Cave: 360,000VND/boat/12 people. If combined with visiting 2 caves Phong Nha and Tien Son: 400,000VND/boat/12 people.

• Paradise Cave, ticket price: 250,000VND/adult and 125,000VND/child from 1m1 - 1m3. Electric car fee (1.7km distance) for 4 to 14 seater cars: ranging from 100,000VND - 350,000VND.

• Tien Son Cave, ticket price: 80,000VND/adult

• Thuy Cung Cave - Chay River Zipline - Toi Cave, ticket price: 450,000VND

• Mooc Spring, ticket price for all services: 180,000VND, kayak boat and games fee 100,000VND

• Tam Co

• En Cave

• Tu Lan Cave (Minh Hoa)

• Son Doong Cave

Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park off-city backpacking destinations

• Hoang Phuc Pagoda (Le Thuy District)

• Memorial House of General (Le Thuy District)

• Than Dinh Mountain, Da Nhay Beach

• Visit the grave of General Vo Nguyen Giap

What to buy as gifts when backpacking in Quang Binh?

Specialties you can buy as gifts for your relatives and friends during your backpacking trip in Quang Binh include:

• Various fresh seafood such as shrimp, crab, fish, squid... at Dong Hoi market

• Sweet potatoes.

• Dried squid, sun-dried squid.

• Banh loc at Le Thanh Dong street.

We hope with useful information about backpacking, traveling experiences in Quang Binh. Wish you always have complete, wonderful trips and experiences. For more information about accommodation and to explore other unique backpacking travel routes in Quang Binh, call the hotline Mytour, Vietnam booking's advisory team is always ready to serve you.