Top 9 Tips for a 3-Day Trip in Quang Binh with Just 1.6 Million VND

At 6:30 AM, the group wakes up for breakfast and prepares swimwear for the Paradise Cave and Mooc Stream. We head to the Paradise Cave first, with an entrance fee of 250,000 VND. The 3 km path from the entrance gate to the cave is walkable, as the trail is clean and well-paved. The walk to the cave entrance is just over 1.6 km. Alternatively, you can take the electric cart for 60,000 VND one-way or 100,000 VND round trip. Inside, the temperature is around 18-19°C, and the cave stretches 1 km deep, so it's recommended to join a guided tour to learn about the impressive stalactite formations.

At around 2 PM, we depart for Mooc Stream, located about 10 km from Paradise Cave. This newly popular tourist spot offers a tranquil setting with picturesque scenery, perfect for relaxing and unwinding. Visitors can walk along the cool stream, cross bridges, and navigate rocks along the way, creating an adventure-like atmosphere. After spending time here, the group heads back at 5 PM, retracing the same 60 km route. The day concludes with a dinner at a pub on Nguyen Du Street, where the food and drinks are delicious and reasonably priced, with each person spending about 100,000 VND.

At 7:00 AM, the group sets off to explore Chay River and Dark Cave, two more exciting attractions. The entrance fee is 180,000 VND per person. Here, you can enjoy a refreshing bath in the stream, try the thrilling Zipline, and paddle a kayak while taking in the stunning views. If you wish to venture into Dark Cave to explore its vastness and enjoy a mud bath, you’ll need to purchase a 450,000 VND ticket per person. Our group opted not to buy this ticket due to some members having young children. At around 1:30 PM, the group starts heading back to Dong Hoi, a 30-minute ride. We take a short break to rest and grab a bite before continuing our journey. By 3:00 PM, we visit the local market for souvenirs. At around 4:30 PM, we check out of our accommodation and wander around, stopping at local eateries until it's time to head to the bus station at 6:30 PM to return to Hanoi.

Total cost:
For 3 people, the total is 4.5 million VND, which comes to 1.5 million VND per person.

In addition to the places our group visited, during the day, you can also explore other attractions such as taking photos and sightseeing:

• Tam Toa Church: The largest Catholic church in Quang Binh and the only large church in Dong Hoi, built in the distinctive European Gothic architectural style.
• Nhat Le Beach: A vast beach with soft white sands stretching along the shore, with gentle waves and pristine natural scenery. It is the perfect place to relax and enjoy peaceful moments under the sun.
• Mother Suot Monument: A historically significant site and a cultural symbol of Quang Binh, attracting large numbers of visitors each year.
• Dai Giac Pagoda: A spiritual haven for the people of Quang Binh, offering tranquility and inner peace to all who visit.
• Bao Ninh Peninsula: Featuring unspoiled beaches, this is an ideal location for international-standard beach resorts. It is also home to the ancient fortifications and the Whale Temple, which reflects the deep fishing culture of the area.
• In the evening, you can stroll along the beach, enjoy ice cream on Tran Hung Dao Street, have some sweet treats at Cao Ba Quat, or sip coffee at Hai Ba Trung. If you have extra time during the day, you can visit further sites like General Vo Nguyen Giap's tomb or Bau Tro Lake.

A friendly reminder: please do not litter. If you can't find a trash bin, just keep your trash with you until you find one to dispose of it.

During your 3-day visit to Quang Binh, you'll have the chance to try most of the region's famous dishes. Some must-try delicacies include:

Banh Bot Loc, Banh Nam, Banh Ram: Traditional local cakes that have become signature dishes of Quang Binh, widely loved by both locals and tourists.

Banh Khoai: Similar to southern-style Banh Xeo, but larger and crispier, with a more complex preparation and a unique dipping sauce.

Nem Lui, Bun Thit Nuong: Tasty and affordable dishes, perfect for travelers looking to experience local flavors on a budget.

Cơm Niêu: Famous for its clay pot rice, the dish is widely recognized at Minh Phuong Clay Pot Rice Restaurant located on Alley 141, Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Dong Hoi.

Chao Canh: A popular breakfast dish in Quang Binh, featuring handmade noodles that are soft and chewy, served in a flavorful seafood and bone broth that captures the essence of the sea.

With the budget above, you can enjoy a well-planned trip, but for those looking to bring back gifts for friends and family, here are some suggestions from Mytour. While Quang Binh is known for its local delicacies, it also offers a variety of products that make great souvenirs for travelers.

Khoai Gieo: A familiar and rustic dish, Khoai Gieo (cassava) can be prepared in various ways such as grilled, fried, boiled, made into soup, dessert, or even used in cakes and jams.

Dry Squid: One of Quang Binh's most famous specialties, dry squid from the local waters is thick and sweet in flavor, making it a perfect snack or gift.

Ruoc Fish Sauce: A unique condiment made from tiny red-brown creatures that resemble grains of sand, Ruoc has a pungent aroma of shrimp and fish, and is a rare delicacy not commonly found in other regions.

Tan An Rice Paper: Tan An village is renowned for its rice paper, a key ingredient in the delicious wraps typical of the region.

Vo Xa Wine: Made using traditional methods passed down for centuries, Vo Xa wine is a blend of pure water from the White Stone Cave and locally grown rice, fermented with a unique recipe to create a fragrant, strong liquor unlike any other.

Bao Ninh Fish Sauce: Known for its aromatic and sweet flavor, this fish sauce has a rich color similar to premium honey.

It’s recommended to book sleeper tickets at least a week in advance during public holidays or peak seasons to avoid being left without a bed or having to settle for a less comfortable option.

If you plan ahead, booking 2-3 weeks before your trip will give you access to affordable, beautiful hotels. If you're traveling in a group, consider sharing a room with 5-6 people to cut costs. For even cheaper options, you can rent a dorm room with 4 bunk beds; it's fun and very economical. A single dorm bed costs around 80,000 VND, and if you prefer more privacy, a room with air conditioning, hot water, and an en-suite bathroom will cost around 250,000 VND.

As most of your trip will be outdoors, and Quang Binh’s sun can be very harsh, don’t forget to pack sunscreen, a sun-blocking shirt, long pants, comfortable shoes, and a waterproof bag to protect your camera when taking photos at the streams.

It’s best to visit the Quang Phu sand dunes in the late afternoon, as it’s cooler, and the sunset makes for a beautiful backdrop.

When traveling from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha - Ke Bang, be sure to stop by the following sights in order: Phong Nha Cave, Dark Cave, Mooc Stream, and Paradise Cave. Don’t forget to bring a jacket for the cold temperatures inside Paradise Cave, and aim to arrive around 12-1 PM to avoid the crowds.

At Mooc Stream, no outside food is allowed, so make sure you don’t bring any snacks with you or you’ll have to leave them outside.

Traveling from Hanoi to Quang Binh by bus is a great option. The bus departs from Tran Khat Chan street with tickets priced at 200,000 VND per person. It's best to leave no later than 7:30 PM to arrive in Dong Hoi at 5:30 AM the next morning.

If you're someone who enjoys exploring at your own pace, you can rent a motorbike to travel around Quang Binh. The distance is manageable, and the road conditions from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha Ke Bang are good. Though the area is affected by the harsh wind, its proximity to both the sea and the mountains means the climate isn't too extreme. There are plenty of rental options available for around 150,000 VND per day, and you can return the bike the next day, still counting as one full day. Be sure to check the bike carefully to avoid any issues that could impact your trip.

Contact:

• Mr. Cuong: 0912 356 056
• Mr. Manh: 0914 654 468

If you'd rather not ride a motorbike, you can consider taking a bus. There are also plenty of taxis in Dong Hoi, especially for longer trips, offering comfort and convenience, and they can be quite economical if you're traveling in a group.

Hotels in Quang Binh are generally reasonably priced on regular days. For budget travelers, consider staying in 1 to 3-star hotels. If you book in advance, you might find even better deals, or you could consider staying with locals through personal connections. These days, homestays have become quite popular. Mytour recommends Beach House Homestay, located at 189A Truong Phap, Dong Hoi, Quang Binh, just by the center of Nhat Le Beach. You can contact them at 0911079136. The prices are:

• 100,000 VND for 1 single bed (just 80,000 VND per person if 4 people share the room)
• 250,000 VND for 1 double bed
• 350,000 VND for 2 double beds

7:30 PM: Depart from Hanoi. At 5:30 AM the next day, the bus arrives in Dong Hoi. Head to 19A Ly Thuong Kiet, where you can rent a motorbike. While waiting, grab a delicious and affordable breakfast at the nearby fish cake soup shop for just 20,000 VND per bowl.

Afterward, head to your homestay to drop off your belongings, then ride to Bai Da Nhay. Although this rocky beach is smaller compared to other coastal spots like Ganh Da Dia or Hang Rai, it’s still a fun spot to enjoy the sea and take some photos. Bai Da Nhay is located about 20 km east of Phong Nha Ke Bang town, and you can spend the afternoon here playing and taking pictures.

2:00 PM: The group heads for some local snacks, enjoying Banh Bot Loc and Banh Nam at Me Xuan's restaurant at the intersection of Ly Thuong Kiet and Le Thanh Dong streets, costing only 60,000 VND for a plate of steamed, fried, and boiled rice cakes. Afterward, head back to the homestay for a nap, then at 5:00 PM, ride to Quang Phu Sand Dunes, just 4 km along the coastal road of Truong Phap. If you're feeling adventurous, you can rent a sandboard for 30,000 VND and try sandboarding.

For dinner, the group dines at a local spot on 18 Co Tam Street, enjoying an array of local cakes for just 300,000 VND. Afterward, head to Cao Ba Quat Street for some sweet dessert: a bowl of mixed dessert for only 12,000 VND.