In short
- Adult entrance tickets cost 150,000 VND.
- A mandatory dragon boat rental costs 550,000 VND.
- Boats hold up to 12 people, so groups can split the fee.
In this article
Planning your budget for the cave is straightforward. Because the cave is accessed via the Son River, your total cost depends on your group size. You pay for your individual entry ticket and then share the cost of the mandatory boat.
How much is the entrance fee for Phong Nha Cave?
The standard adult entrance fee is 150,000 VND per person.
Children under 1.3 meters tall enter for free. You buy these tickets directly at the Phong Nha Ke Bang Tourism Center dock before boarding.
What does the mandatory boat cost?
The dragon boat rental costs 550,000 VND for a round trip.
This fee covers the 30-minute motorized ride each way along the Son River. It also covers the time the driver spends manually paddling inside the flooded cave. The boat accommodates a maximum of 12 passengers.
How can I share a boat to save money?
Wait near the ticket counter to group up with other travelers.
Since the 550,000 VND boat fee is a flat rate, solo travelers and couples rarely pay the full amount. Just ask other visitors at the dock if they want to share. A full boat brings the transport cost down to about 46,000 VND per person.
Do I need to book a tour in advance?
No, you can easily buy tickets and arrange a boat on arrival.
However, booking a guided tour is useful if you want transport from Dong Hoi. Tours also include English-speaking guides and often bundle other attractions. Prices for boat tours start around $20, but these change by platform.
What payment methods are accepted?
Bring cash in Vietnamese Dong (VND) for tickets and boat sharing.
While large tourism centers sometimes accept cards, cash is necessary if you plan to split a boat with strangers. You will also need cash for small purchases like water or snacks at the dock.
Are there any extra fees inside the cave?
No, there are no hidden fees once you enter.
Your entrance ticket and boat rental cover the entire standard 1.2 to 1.5-kilometer route. You disembark to walk through the dry Bi Ky Chamber without paying extra.
Ticket Costs at a Glance
Here is a quick summary of the basic fees.
Use this table to estimate your base costs before arriving at the dock.
| Item | Cost (VND) |
|---|---|
| Adult Ticket | 150,000 |
| Child Ticket (<1.3m) | Free |
| Boat Rental (Round Trip) | 550,000 per boat |
Questions travellers ask
What are the opening hours?
The ticket counter and cave open daily from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Operations can stop suddenly during severe floods.
Do I need a life jacket?
Yes. Life jackets are provided with your boat rental. You must wear them during the river journey.
Can I walk to the cave?
No. The cave is only accessible via the 30-minute boat ride along the Son River. Walking is only allowed once you disembark inside the dry chambers.
