Phong Nha Cave to Vinh to Hanoi

I arrive in Dong Hoi and get a really nice room at Nam Long Hotel. I came here to visit Phong Nha Cave. The next morning I hired a motorbike and driver to take me to the caves. The owner of the hotel tried to convince me to hire my own bike but it was only another dollar to have a driver. This way I don't have to worry about the drive or the way there. I can sit back and appreciate the scenery. Soon after we left the city there was very little traffic on the road and it was a smooth road. Karst mountains soon dominated the landscape. The sign for Phong Nha National park was in huge letters on the side of a mountain like the Hollywood sign. There was no missing this park!

The driver parked the bike and I went to pay for my ticket. I had to take a boat to the cave entrance, 5km upstream. It was a bit expensive so I waited around for some other people to share the cost. I only had to wait a few minutes before a German family arrived. We shared the boat to the cave.

Before going to Phong Nha cave, I visited Tien Son cave, up 330 steps in the mountainside above Phong Nha cave. This cave was used as a hospital and ammunition depot during the Vietnam war. It was a touristy cave with a cement pathway through it and lights. I still liked it though as it has some old and impressive formations. After that the German family and I took our boat into Phong Nha cave. Once inside the cave, the boatman killed the engine and paddled us into the depths of the cave. Phong Nha cave is an astonishing 55km long but only the first km is open to visitors. We stopped at a huge side branch of the cave where certain formations were lit up for the benefit of visitors. Then the boat dropped us off and we walked back to the entrance. I really enjoyed this cave. We took the boat back to the visitors centre and then took the moto back to Dong Hoi.

While I was in Dong Hoi, I got an email from Thip, my friend from Thailand I met in Laos in the beginning of January. She had some time off now and would be meeting me in Hanoi in 2 days for a short trip together. I had to make my way to Hanoi. I was no rush to get there before I had to, so the next day I took a train to Vinh, about 6 hours away.

I don't know why I haven't been taking the train more often. I guess I thought it would be very busy and full because of the Tet holiday but it wasn't. I really enjoy travelling by train. It's more comfortable than the bus and there's no hassle over the price. It might be a bit slower but I don't mind. The train went right through karst mountains, literrally! It was great scenery up to Vinh. I stayed in Vinh for one night. I didn't like it there much. It's not touristy at all and I found it a bit hard to find decent food but for only day it didn't matter too much. The next day I decided to take the train to Hanoi.