Phong Nha Cave

Saturday 17th January, our final rest day before the Son Doong Exit Trip.

We decided to visit the Phong Nha Showcave. This trip starts from the tourism centre in Phong Nha, for six of us the inclusive cost was 1,220,000 Dong. From the ticket office you make your way down to the river, getting your ticket stamped  en-route, once at the river you board your assigned boat (these are all painted in yellow and blue) and cruise slowly up stream with beautiful views of the villages and surrounding hills.

The Son River

After about twenty minutes there is a river junction where you take the left fork to Phong Nha Cave. Just before the cave entrance the "driver" stops to show your ticket to another official to collect another stamp, once they are back in the boat you continue sailing into the cave. A final thrust of the engine just as you enter, gives the boat enough momentum to reach a low section where it's hands on the roof to steer followed by 'rowing' along a large river passage, it's well lit and the size is certainly impressive. After about ten minutes the boat is turned around and you head out, stopping before the exit to leave the boat (make a note of the boat number) to walk along a section of fossil passage which is large and extremely well decorated.

Formations in Phong Nha, note the person below and right of the stalls.

As you leave the cave (there is another cave up steps on the left, but we didn't pay for that) there are quite a few stalls selling souveniers and drinks, all desperate for trade, having run the gauntlet it's back to the boat for the return journey.
There are many boats on the river, not just the tour boats, but locals either fishing or collecting food for the small fish farms dotted along the river.

Boat on the River Son