About the ride from Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park to Hanoi
For many travelers in Vietnam, the journey from Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park to Hanoi is the perfect way to experience two completely different sides of Vietnamese life - and the next logical step for those heading north.
After indulging in the natural beauty of Vietnam’s last real region of jaw-dropping wilderness, you might be ready for the bright lights of a big city. After Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park’s mountains, karsts, caves, subterranean rivers and non-stop adrenaline rushes, Hanoi offers a completely contrasting experience.
If you want to take the 496 km (308 mile) journey from Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park to Hanoi, taking the bus is your only option. All of these journeys take between 9 and 10 hours, and they’re all overnight jaunts in sleeper buses. These buses all leave from Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park at 9pm, and arrive in Hanoi around 6am or 7am.
Due to the overnight schedule of these journeys to Hanoi from Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, you’ll spend most of your trip snoozing away and getting much-needed shut eye, as your driver guides you to Hanoi. After the excitement and adventures of Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park’s caving, zip lining, kayaking and hiking, you’ll need all the rest you can get before Hanoi assails your senses in its own unique, but equally fascinating way.
Because there’s only one way to undertake the lengthy but comfortable trip from Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park to Hanoi, you don’t have the dilemma of picking between various transport options, which can make it surprisingly stress-free. Instead of having to choose between different transport options, you simply buy your ticket, board your bus and arrive in Hanoi nice and early, ready to tackle the hustle and bustle of Vietnam’s endlessly charming capital city.
The perfect antithesis to enigmatic Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park’s outdoors escapades, Hanoi is truly a city like no other.
What to see when traveling from Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park to Hanoi
Because much of your journey to Hanoi from Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park takes place during the night, your trip won’t be full of the beautiful views that daytime Vietnamese trips can offer. But while you’re losing views, you’re gaining cash, as a sleeper bus from Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park to Hanoi means you save money on one night’s accommodation.
As you approach Hanoi, you might be lucky enough to catch the sun rising over its high-rise buildings and busy roads, which can be a great way to become acquainted with the city. No matter what time you arrive, you’ll likely be surprised by just how busy Hanoi can be. A madcap city full of blaring horns, jam-packed scooters and countless comings and goings, it’s a people watcher’s dream.
With beautiful temples, shimmering inner-city lakes, fantastic coffee and some of the world’s best street food, Hanoi is one of the world’s busiest places to visit. It feels like a little village disguised as a huge city, both quaint and cosmopolitan. Somehow both charming and sprawling, it’s one of the most homely big cities in the world - and like so many other travelers, you’ll likely fall in love with it.
How to get from Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park to Hanoi
Taking a bus
Though all buses from Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park to Hanoi are pretty rudimentary and cheap, they’re also surprisingly comfortable - and most travelers find it pretty easy to catch some sleep during their journey. All buses from Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park to Hanoi have blankets, AC and comfortable seats, and some also offer WiFi, snacks, English-speaking staff and toilet facilities.
The buses which don’t have toilets will stop for mid-journey breaks.
For the individual perks offered on each specific journey, you should check each individual listing - but all buses offer a comfortable way to catch some sleep while you make your way towards Vietnam’s buzzing capital.
The best thing about getting a sleeper bus from Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park to Hanoi is the early arrival time. You’ll arrive around (or a little after) dawn, perfect for stuffing your day full of street food, temple-hopping and back-alley exploring.
