When I think back on my trip to Vietnam with Wide Eyed Tours, there was one part that really stood out – and it wasn’t somewhere I’d even heard of before planning the trip.
Phong Nha. Tucked away in central Vietnam near the Laos border, it’s not your typical tourist stop, but it ended up being my favourite part of the entire journey.
After a few busy days exploring the cities and coastlines, arriving in Phong Nha felt like stepping into another world.
We stayed at the Phong Nha Farmstay for two nights and from the moment we arrived, it was clear this was going to be different.
Surrounded by open rice paddies, with views stretching out to the mountains, it felt like we were miles from anywhere. No traffic, no crowds – just fresh air, quiet and the simple rhythm of rural life.
We stayed in a lovely two-bedroom villa with its own private plunge pool, which was a completely unexpected touch for such a rural part of Vietnam.
It offered a great mix of comfort and privacy, and being able to relax in the pool after a day of exploring was a real bonus.
The highlight of our time there was definitely the motorbike tour with a local guide, which took us through the surrounding countryside and into Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.
I’ve done a few guided tours before but this one felt different – more personal, more real. Riding through quiet backroads, waving to locals and hearing stories from someone who lives in the area gave the whole experience so much more meaning.
Our main stop that day was Paradise Cave and I honestly didn’t expect it to be as impressive as it was.
You enter through jungle, then step into this vast underground world that goes on for kilometres. The sheer scale of it is hard to describe. But it wasn’t just about the cave itself.
Learning how it was used during the Vietnam War and hearing how people took shelter here really put things into perspective. It’s not something I would’ve known if I’d just gone on my own.
Later in the afternoon we had time to swim and kayak along the river that winds through the national park. That part was pure peace – no noise, no rush, just paddling through calm water surrounded by jungle and limestone cliffs. It was one of those moments where you just stop and think, “How is this place real?”
What I loved most about Phong Nha is that it doesn’t feel like it’s trying to be anything. It’s not touristy or overdone. It’s just a beautiful part of the country that still feels real and untouched. And that’s something pretty rare to come across these days.
If you’re heading to Vietnam and want to see a side of the country that most people miss, I can’t recommend a stop in Phong Nha enough.
Even just two nights gives you a whole new appreciation for Vietnam’s natural beauty and history.
Wide Eyed Tours made it all incredibly easy – from organising the stay to connecting us with amazing local guides – but it was the place itself that really made the impact.
As an added bonus we also did a sunset safari by jeep, another fun tour available through the farm stay.
It was a great way to wind down the day – driving through nearby villages and rice fields, stopping to watch the sun dip behind the mountains with a cold drink in hand.
For me, Phong Nha was the perfect reminder of why we travel: to discover somewhere unexpected and come home with stories you didn’t see coming. Definitely one for the list.
