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Phong Nha is cave country, 289 kilometres (180 miles) north of Hoi An. Its national park holds Son Doong, the world's largest known cave. The cheapest way to get from Hoi An to Phong Nha is the bus at $12 (324,000 VND). The private transfer is the quickest option at 6h 30m - 6h 40m, and it costs a good deal more.
Distance from Hoi An to Phong Nha
Hoi An and Phong Nha are about 289 km (180 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 339 km by road. The quickest way to get from Hoi An to Phong Nha is by taking the private transfer, which takes around 6h 30m - 6h 40m.
3 ways to travel from Hoi An to Phong Nha
There are three ways to travel from Hoi An to Phong Nha. You can choose between the bus, train, and private transport. The journey takes 6h 30m–7h 10m and the quickest way is by private transport. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $12 (324,000 VND).
3 legs — see itinerary
- Hoi An→Da Nang2h
- Da Nang→Dong Hoi5h 25m
- Da Nang→Dong Hoi1h 30m
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Hoi An to Phong Nha by Bus
Several companies offer direct bus trips from Hoi An to Phong Nha. With this option, you won’t have to worry about any transfers. But you’ll also miss the scenic views you can get with the train.
That’s because buses operating on this route pass through the Hai Van Tunnel instead of the Hai Van Pass.
Bus fares start from $12 (324,000 VND) for the ride that takes 6h 45m - 9h 5m.
Departure and arrival station
Grouptour departs from Hoi An Luxury SSB, while Queen Cafe leaves from its own headquarters in Hoi An. You can find both along Ton Duc Thang Street, some 1.5km north of the Old Town.
Both companies arrive at Central Backpackers Hostel along the main street in Phong Nha.
Bus schedule from Hoi An to Phong Nha
Bus tickets are available on Bookaway.
Hoi An to Phong Nha by Train
We recommend taking a day train from Hoi An to Phong Nha. You will lose a day of travelling, but for a part of this, you will be breezing through the famous Hai Van Pass, a 21km mountain pass overlooking the sea from Hue to Da Nang. And that will make it all worth it.
Although travelling the Hai Van Pass by motorbike will be the most exciting, the train ride between Da Nang and Dong Hoi (step 2) will still reward you with magnificent scenery.
Below we will explain which steps to take when travelling by train.
Step 1: Hoi An to Da Nang by Minivan
From Hoi An to Da Nang Railway Station, you can take either a minivan or a taxi. Both options take about 45m - 2h.
A minivan ticket costs around $2.60 (68,000 VND) and you can catch a ride from 06:00 to 20:00 daily. There are a number of companies offering minivans for this route and they depart from their own offices in Hoi An city centre.
If you prefer to be picked up from your hotel, you can get a private transfer with fares from $17 (440,000 VND).
Book your minivan or private transfer beforehand through BookAway, which offers comfortable vehicles at a fixed rate. This way, you won’t have to deal with drivers offering overpriced taxi rides. See our page on DaNang Railway Station for more details.
IMPORTANT: Previously, there were cheap local buses operating from Hoi An to Da Nang. But the last time we checked (September 2024), these were no longer available.
Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway.
Step 2: Da Nang to Dong Hoi by Train
From Da Nang, you can then take a 5h 25m - 6h 25m train to Dong Hoi.
We recommend taking a train that travels during the day and will allow you to enjoy the views all throughout the journey.
Train fares start from $9.30 (245,000 VND) for a soft seat. More expensive sleeper berths are also available if you’re hoping to get some sleep.
Train tickets are available on Bookaway.
Step 3: Dong Hoi to Phong Nha by Taxi/Bus
If you take a day train to Dong Hoi, you won’t make it in time for the buses. Your only way to get to Phong Nha are the taxis parked outside the train station.
Taxi prices from Dong Hoi Railway Station to Phong Nha start from $15 (400,000 VND).
If you choose to take the night train (and miss the scenic views), you will be able to catch the local bus. A ticket costs $1.90 (50,000 VND).
Visit our guide for Dong Hoi to Phong Nha for the bus schedules and more details.
Hoi An to Phong Nha by Private Transfer
Looking for a door-to-door ride? You can get a private transfer from Hoi An to Phong Nha.
Rates start from $155 (4,026,000 VND) for a 2-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s about $77 (2,013,000 VND) per person.
Larger vehicles are also available for bigger groups of up to eight people.
Private Transfer tickets are available on Bookaway.
Our favourite places to stay in Phong Nha
Here are our favourite places to stay in Phong Nha for every budget.
Thao Nguyen Homestay
Thanks to the great hospitality of the family, Thao Nguyen Homestay will feel like your home. After a day of trekking, you can take a dive in the pool or sit back and relax with a Netflix movie.
The homestay is located right in front of the bus stop in the centre of Phong Nha. The rooms are bright and spacious, with some of them offering spectacular views of the mountains.
- Mountain views
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Bright and spacious rooms
- Delicious free breakfast
Private rooms start from $16 per night.
Phong Nha Dawn House
You'll probably find it slightly hard to believe that rooms also start at $16 at Phong Nha Dawn House. This place has an almost perfect rating for a reason.
Tu Tu and her family make you feel right at home in their beautiful homestay where you can enjoy a refreshing swimming pool, delicious restaurant and comfortable rooms.
- Great value for money
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Delicious restaurant
- Free breakfast
Private rooms start from $16 per night.
Karst Villas Phong Nha
Floating in an infinity pool overlooking endless rice fields, can you think of anything better? How about if on top of that, there are mountains in the background and you're staying with a beautiful Vietnamese family?
Karst Villas offer all of that plus modern room and unique bathrooms. A very memorable stay!
- Infinity pool
- Incredible views
- Amazing family
- Delicious free breakfast
Private rooms start from $38 per night.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Phong Nha?
Phong Nha is a haven for adventure seekers. Its location in central Vietnam requires more time and effort to reach, probably why fewer travellers make their way to this town. That means you can enjoy a mostly unspoiled bit of paradise when you visit Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.
This UNESCO World Heritage site is known for its enormous cave system — which includes the world’s largest cave (Hang Son Doong) and the longest dry cave in Asia (Paradise Cave). Outdoor lovers will also enjoy the lush hiking trails, karst mountains, and amazing wildlife in Phong Nha.
Rounding it up
That's the Full picture for getting from Hoi An to Phong Nha, roughly 289 kilometres (180 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $12 (324,000 VND). The quickest trip takes 6h 30m.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Hoi An to Phong Nha?
The distance from Hoi An to Phong Nha is 289 kilometres (180 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Hoi An to Phong Nha?
The fastest way to get from Hoi An to Phong Nha is by private transport and takes 6h 30m - 6h 40m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Hoi An to Phong Nha?
The cheapest way to get from Hoi An to Phong Nha is by bus with ticket costs starting from 324,000 VND.
About the Authors
Senior Travel Writer
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she's not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines. Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she'll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Founder & Trip Planning Expert
Based in Bali, Maarten's passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you'll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
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