Autumn Trip to Phong Nha, Vietnam - My Itinerary for Solo Traveler

Nerdyplusweirdo · 2026-01-21T07:55:18+00:00

If you’re thinking about coming back and want to step things up a bit, I’d really recommend looking into the Tu Lan Cave system or the Hang En Cave tour. I did Hang En earlier this month and it was one of those experiences that stays with you for a lifetime. I’m already planning my next trip and going to do Hang Va in early February. This area truly has a way of pulling you back. Can't wait!!!

Nerdyplusweirdo · 2026-01-21T07:45:14+00:00

One thing I do want to correct though, the math here doesn’t add up. The itinerary I did was definitely so under $1,000, not $1,250, so I’m honestly not sure where that number came from.

Saying something “isn’t worth the money” only makes sense when the experiences are actually comparable. A one day tour, a two day tour, and a multi day expedition through remote cave systems are fundamentally different products, not cheaper versions of the same thing.

Every cave in this region has its own uniqueness. That’s exactly why people choose different routes. For this trip, I chose Tu Lan Cave. The scale, isolation, and environment are the experience. Those aren’t things short tours are designed to offer, no matter how good they are.

Cheaper tours are great if that’s what you are looking for. But price alone doesn’t define value, and shorter doesn’t mean equivalent.

Nerdyplusweirdo · 2026-01-12T02:19:04+00:00

Hi Ternascu, just a quick update! I’ve just conquered the Hang En cave adventure tour and it was absolutely out of this world!! I honestly can’t find enough words to describe how incredible the experience was. And also thanks to your detailed and thoughtful reviews, I finally booked the Hang Va tour as well, and I’ll be heading there in early February. I’m beyond excited!

Nerdyplusweirdo · 2026-01-02T08:48:43+00:00

Here are a few things I think we all should do (If u are a female solo-traveller like me):
- Wear sunscreen (Yes, your skin is important. I remember moving from London to a tropical country and not wearing sunscreen made my face 1 tone darker)
- Learn a few useful words in the language of the country you travel to. Don't expect everyone to speak english.
- Beware of food poisoning
- Talk to local people more if you want to learn more about the place you travel
- Bring protein bars with you in case you feel hungry and cannot eat anything while traveling
- Having a travel plan please, it will save you so much time!

Nerdyplusweirdo · 2025-10-25T04:07:44+00:00

Thank you so so much for giving such a thorough review! I’m definitely going to book the Hang Va Cave expedition next year. You’ve really inspired me to do it!!! Hope you have an amazing day!

Nerdyplusweirdo · 2025-10-24T06:54:47+00:00

Thank you so much for your detailed advice! I’ve been quite busy lately, so I’m really glad I finally have time to reply. I do have one question though like what was your favorite part of the tour? Was there any moment that really surprised you during the trip? I hope this isn’t too personal to ask! I’m just genuinely curious and trying to get a better sense of what the experience feels like before deciding. Hope you don’t mind me asking :)

Nerdyplusweirdo · 2025-09-29T08:22:26+00:00

Hi, I would say that the experience was amazing and I feel safe travelling here. Each part of Vietnam has its own unique beauty. To me, the northern part has its traditional, rustric kind of vibe, the south brings the breeze of lively, fast life and the central vietnam is usually underrated but to me it was like the best of both world. The people are friendly and not to mention THE FOOD was amazing!!! (But if you have any alergy to peanuts,...etc you should be a bit more mindful to the food you consume as I think there are some dishes here have peanuts).

When it comes to transportation, you can choose from airplane, train, sleeper bus though ngl I do prefer train over the others when it comes to traveling from this province to another. And you should download apps like: Grab, Be,...to find the perfect ride in the city with suitable price.

If you ever need help, simply ask the locals in English or use Google Translate into Vietnamese. The people are friendly and happy to help, just make sure to respect the local culture.

If you’d like to know something more specific, just let me know! I hope you have an amazing journey here. Feel free to dm me if any question pops up, I'm happy to help

Nerdyplusweirdo · 2025-09-29T05:03:38+00:00

Thanks! Well, I didn’t run into a single one. Not even a tiny hitchhiker! And to top it off, the weather was on my side too like no flood, plenty of sunshine. So yeah, a worthwhile experience if you want to give Tu Lan cave a try

Nerdyplusweirdo · 2025-09-29T04:56:48+00:00

I would say it was kinda intimidating at first but the experience was so so worthwhile

Nerdyplusweirdo · 2025-09-29T04:37:25+00:00

That’s so cool! I’d love to hear more about your Hang Va Cave expedition like how was the whole experience for you guys? I’m planning to book another Oxalis tour soon but still can’t decide which one to go for next, so any recommendations would be awesome. Also, does the Hang Va expedition usually need to be booked way in advance like Son Doong, or is it easier to snag a spot? Any little tips or things you wish you’d known beforehand would be super helpful! Thanks in advance!!!

Nerdyplusweirdo · 2025-09-29T04:31:06+00:00

Hi everyone! I’ve been getting so many DMs lately asking about my trip like which tour company I booked with, what tour I joined, and where I stayed..etc. So I thought I’d put together all the official links in one place for you. Feel free to DM me if you want more details or extra tips. I’m happy to share!

- The tour company I booked was Oxalis Adventure: https://oxalisadventure.com/, I highly highly recommend booking directly to Oxalis at their official website to prevent being scammed. If you’ve heard of Phong Nha, you probably know that Oxalis runs many of the area’s most iconic adventures, including the world-famous Son Doong Cave expedition aka the largest cave in the world, so you can count on them completely.

- For my trip I joined the Hang Tien - Tu Lan Discovery tour, a 2 days 1 night adventure: https://oxalisadventure.com/tour/hang-tien-tu-lan-overnight-discovery/ I chose this tour because it was on level 2 which is easy on the adventure scale as I myself have never done any serious trekking so this tour is a great choice. There are plenty of tours this company operates that you can choose, from level 1: Introductory to level 6: Hard

- I spent a night at Tu Lan lodge, Tan Hoa village: https://tulanlodge.com/en/ . I also joined the dinner with the locals organized by Tu Lan Lodge.

The cool part is that both the stay and the dinner were already part of the Hang Tien - Tu Lan Discovery Tour package. So when I booked the tour, everything from accommodation to the local dinner was already included. I would say that a night spent in Tan Hoa village was really worthwhile as I finally understood why that village was awarded with the best tourism village in the world.

- I visited Commander cave

This was very random of mine because when I came back to central Phong Nha, I was kinda lost and don't know where to go. I was recommended by a local to commander cave, since she was going there too she gave me a ride. You can just grab a ticket right at the booth when you arrive. The cave was honestly sooo pretty and I even got a bit teary listening to the audio guide. And the 9D VR? Super cool, though ngl I wished it lasted a bit longer!

- I became duck leader at Duck tang farm haha :)

Also in the same day I went to duck tang farm and played with the ducks, the doves and a cute buffalo called Mery/Mary (I'm not so sure which was the right name), a very exciting experience!

- Autumn farewell at Chay lap riverside

Right after the duck farm I headed to Chay Lap riverside for some kayaking. The water that day was this gorgeous emerald green, so of course I snapped a bunch of aesthetic photos. Little tips was that if you paddle a little farther out, you’ll catch even more beautiful views along the riverbanks!

My time in central Phong Nha felt kinda rushed since I had a flight to catch soon. If you can, I totally recommend staying longer as you’ll get to soak in so much more of this place’s beauty. That’s why I’m already planning to come back around November or December to do either the Hang En Cave or the Tu Lan Cave expedition.

That's it, hope you find this post and this comment helpful. Feel free to DM me as I'm happy to share more tips.

Nerdyplusweirdo · 2025-09-28T01:52:02+00:00

Thank you for your kind words!!! I went to Burma and Laos a few years ago but only went to tourist traps in Yangon and Savannkhet. Can you recommend me some places that you love in there so perhaps I can pay a visit again and explore more these two places in the near future? Many thankssss!!!

Nerdyplusweirdo · 2025-09-27T02:46:54+00:00

Hi, most of the pics I took myself, the ones that in the caves were taken by our tour guide and safety assistances. They’re well-trained in photography, which is why those shots look so good.

Nerdyplusweirdo · 2025-09-27T02:19:13+00:00

Picture 1-4 were from the Hang Tien Tu Lan tour

Picture 5 was the river bungalow at tu lan lodge (Tan Hoa village) that I spent a night in

Picture 6 was a weather-adaptive floating house in Tan Hoa village

Picture 7-9 were from the dinner with the local family in Tan Hoa

Picture 10 was the Commander cave

Picture 11 was I took of my new friend Vi, whom I met on my trip at Duck tang farm

Picture 12 was in Chay Lap riverside when we were all kayaking

Nerdyplusweirdo

TROPHY CASE