Hue - Phong Nha Tourist Train: A New Journey Connecting Central Vietnam’s Two Heritage Sites

Previously, travelers going from Hue to Phong Nha would usually take a North-South railway train to Dong Hoi Station or travel by bus, then continue the remaining 45 km by car to central Phong Nha. In addition to these familiar road and rail options, travelers now have a new choice. Starting August 28, 2026, the “Hue Ancient Capital - Phong Nha: Wonders and World Heritage” tourist train officially begins operating. The train has been developed as a complete tourism product, connecting two World Heritage Sites with a range of cultural, historical, and natural attractions across Central Vietnam in one seamless journey.

If you’re planning to try this new train route, this guide covers everything you need to know, including the schedule, ticket prices, how to get from Tho Loc Station to central Phong Nha, plus suggestions for things to do, places to stay, and practical tips to help you plan your trip.

What to Know About the Hue to Phong Nha Train

What makes this train journey special is the way it turns the nearly 190 km between Hue and Phong Nha into part of the experience. Instead of simply watching the kilometers pass, you’ll have time to take in the changing Central Vietnamese landscape through the windows, from Hue’s historic atmosphere and areas steeped in wartime history to the limestone mountains of Quang Tri before arriving in Phong Nha.

The route is particularly well suited to travelers who want to explore several destinations in one trip, families with children, and older travelers looking for a more comfortable way to get around. Here’s a closer look at the train’s design, schedule, ticket prices, and how to plan your trip to Phong Nha using this new tourist train.

1. Inside the 8-Car “Mobile Hotel”

The biggest difference between the Hue to Phong Nha train and a regular train is the experience on board. The tourist trains, designated HQ1 and HQ2, consist of eight carriages with a capacity of around 304 passengers. They are designed as a “mobile hotel,” offering passengers a comfortable place to relax throughout the journey.

The standout feature is the five carriages fitted with soft seats that rotate 360 degrees. Passengers can turn their seats to chat with their companions or face the windows and enjoy the scenery. There is also a 24-seat VIP carriage for travelers looking for more privacy, a community carriage for socializing, and a service carriage featuring local specialties, OCOP products, food, and cultural performances.

The exterior of the train also reflects the character of Central Vietnam, combining Hue’s warm yellow-brown tones, Phong Nha’s blue, and the symbol of Quang Tri as a land of peace. Combined with digital audio guides, the journey becomes a cultural experience from the moment the train leaves the station.

2. A 190 km Route Through Five Heritage Stations

Stretching for approximately 190 km, the Hue to Phong Nha tourist train passes through five stations, each offering a different theme and travel experience. The journey itself becomes a way to discover Central Vietnam’s culture, history, and natural landscapes. You’ll see the scenery gradually change as the train passes coastal plains, rice fields, rivers, rural villages, and the distinctive limestone mountains of the region.

Hue Station is the starting point of the journey. Here, travelers can explore the former imperial capital, home to its royal palaces, imperial tombs, the Perfume River, and cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO.

Next comes Dong Ha Station, the gateway to some of Quang Tri’s most significant historical sites, including Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, Hien Luong Bridge, and Vinh Moc Tunnels. These destinations offer a deeper perspective on Vietnam’s history.

At My Trach Station, the pace becomes quieter, with riverside villages, the birthplace of General Vo Nguyen Giap, and the distinctive cultural heritage of the Le Thuy area.

Dong Hoi Station opens up the coastal city, with Nhat Le Beach, Quang Binh Quan Gate, and plenty of accommodation and dining options before continuing the journey.

The final stop is Tho Loc Station, the railway station closest to Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park. From here, travelers continue by road to central Phong Nha, where they can begin exploring the area’s famous cave system.

3. Departure Times and Latest Train Fares for 2026

The HQ1 and HQ2 tourist trains operate daily between Hue and Tho Loc. Both services run during the daytime, giving passengers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the scenery through the windows.

Daily train schedule:

HQ2 Train (Hue → Tho Loc)

- Depart Hue Station: 07:15.

- Arrive at Tho Loc Station: 11:55.

- Journey time: approximately 4 hours 40 minutes.

This service is a good option if you want to reach Phong Nha around midday, check into your hotel, and start sightseeing in the afternoon, or simply rest before exploring the national park the following day.

HQ1 Train (Tho Loc → Hue)

- Depart Tho Loc Station: 13:15.

- Arrive at Hue Station: 17:25.

- Journey time: approximately 4 hours 10 minutes.

Note: Train schedules may be adjusted according to Vietnam Railways’ operating plans, so check the latest departure times before your trip.

Hue - Phong Nha tourist train fares vary by seat class, giving travelers several options depending on their preferences and budget.

- Standard soft seat: VND 420,000 per journey.

- 360-degree rotating soft seat: VND 500,000 - 600,000 per journey.

- VIP class: VND 760,000 per journey.

How to Book Your Ticket and What to Know

To make sure you get the seat class you want, especially during peak travel periods, it’s best to book directly through the official Vietnam Railways website, dsvn.vn. This is where you can find the latest train schedules, seat availability, and fare updates.

Once your itinerary is confirmed, consider booking around 2 - 4 weeks in advance, particularly during summer, public holidays, Tet, or weekends when demand tends to rise quickly. Popular seats, such as 360-degree rotating seats by the window and seats in the VIP carriage, are usually among the first to sell out.

Tip for finding cheaper tickets: Book at least 10 days before your departure to take advantage of Vietnam Railways’ 5 - 15% early-booking discount, limited to 20 tickets per seat type per train, or the 10% discount available for round-trip tickets.

How to Get from Tho Loc Station to Central Phong Nha

Tho Loc Station is the final stop on the Hue to Phong Nha tourist train and the railway station closest to Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park. However, keep in mind that the station is not located in Phong Nha’s main tourist area. After getting off the train, you’ll still need to travel around 20 km by road, which takes approximately 20 - 30 minutes to reach central Phong Nha, where most hotels, homestays, restaurants, and tour departure points are located.

Transportation Options from Tho Loc Station

Hotel or Homestay Transfers

This is the most convenient option if you have already booked your accommodation. Many hotels, homestays, and farmstays in Phong Nha can arrange station pickups upon request. Simply provide your train number and arrival time, and a driver can wait for you at the station, saving you the hassle of finding transportation after getting off the train.

Tour Transfers

If you’re joining a tour, check whether pickup from Tho Loc Station is included in the itinerary. If you’re booking a cave exploration tour with Oxalis, you can let our travel consultants know in advance so they can advise you and help arrange suitable transportation.

Taxi

A taxi is a practical choice for small groups or families. Since there are fewer taxis around the station than in Dong Hoi, it’s best to arrange one in advance or ask your accommodation to help contact a driver. This is especially useful on weekends and during peak travel periods.

Things to Keep in Mind When Planning Your Trip

If you’re traveling with children or older family members, it’s best to arrange a transfer in advance rather than trying to find transportation after arriving at the station.

Also, although the train operates in both directions on the same day, you shouldn’t plan to visit Phong Nha and return to Hue that same day. HQ2 arrives at Tho Loc Station at 11:55, while HQ1 departs for Hue at 13:15, leaving only about 1 hour and 20 minutes between the two trains. That isn’t enough time to travel to central Phong Nha, visit any attractions, and return to the station.

If your goal is to explore Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, it’s better to book a one-way train ticket and stay in Phong Nha for at least one night. This is also the minimum amount of time we recommend for experiencing some of the area’s highlights.

Best Places to Visit in Phong Nha

Once you arrive at Tho Loc Station and make your way to central Phong Nha, you’ll have plenty of options, from world-famous caves and outdoor adventures to historical sites and peaceful natural landscapes. Here are some of the top places to visit in Phong Nha to consider adding to your itinerary.

As a special bonus, passengers who travel on the Hue to Phong Nha tourist train, or the return journey, can receive 10% off Oxalis cave exploration tours. You can find more details about the offer here.

- Phong Nha Cave: Phong Nha Cave is one of the most famous attractions in Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park and is known as the “First Cave Under Heaven.” Visitors take a boat along the Son River to the cave entrance, where they can see an underground river, millions-of-years-old stalactites and stalagmites, and explore the first 1.5 km of the cave.

- Paradise Cave: Known as the “Underground Palace,” Paradise Cave is famous for its enormous formations and a 1 km wooden walkway. The relatively easy route makes it suitable for a wide range of travelers, including families with children and older visitors.

- Son Doong Cave, the World’s Largest Cave: As the world’s largest cave, Son Doong Cave is a dream destination for serious adventurers. Its own ecosystem, enormous dolines, ancient forest, and underground river create an experience unlike almost any other cave in the world. Son Doong Cave offers a level of exploration that goes far beyond a typical cave visit.

- Hang En Cave: One of the largest caves in the world, Hang En Cave is known for its enormous entrance, wide sandy beach, and turquoise pool inside the cave. It is also famous for its unique overnight camping experience, allowing travelers to wake up surrounded by dramatic natural scenery.

- Hang Va and Nuoc Nut Caves: Hang Va Cave is famous for its rare formation of cone-shaped stalagmites, while Nuoc Nut Cave impresses with its crystal-clear underground stream and sections where visitors swim through the cave. These tours are ideal for travelers looking to combine trekking, pristine cave exploration, and overnight camping in the forest.

- Tu Lan Cave System: Located in Tan Hoa Commune, around 70 km from Phong Nha, the Tu Lan cave system consists of more than 10 caves of various sizes. It is known for forest trekking, swimming through underground caves, and camping in remote valleys. Tu Lan tours are available at different difficulty levels, ranging from one-day trips to five-day expeditions, making them suitable for everyone from beginners to experienced adventurers looking for a deeper exploration.

- Chay River and Dark Cave: This is a great destination for travelers who enjoy outdoor activities. You can try ziplining, kayaking, exploring Dark Cave with a headlamp, and taking a natural mud bath inside the cave.

- Mooc Spring: Mooc Spring is known for its striking emerald-green water and cool, pristine forest surroundings. It’s a popular place for swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, or simply relaxing in nature.

- Command Cave Museum: Command Cave Museum is a historical site associated with the Ho Chi Minh Trail during the Resistance War against America. The tour includes a 9D VR360 experience that puts visitors in the role of Ho Chi Minh Trail drivers navigating through intense wartime conditions. It also combines an exploration of the seven-level cave with stories about the youth volunteers and soldiers who served along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, right at the former command post.

- Ozo Park: Ozo Park is a popular eco-adventure park featuring treetop activities, suspension bridges, forest trails, and water-based activities. It’s a good option for families and groups of friends who want to combine outdoor fun with nature.

- Hava Valley: Hava Valley is a popular summer destination for water-based activities, including stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, swimming, and adrenaline-filled river games, all set against Phong Nha’s distinctive limestone mountains.

- Bong Lai Valley: For a quieter side of Phong Nha, Bong Lai Valley makes a great stop. The area is known for rice fields, local farms, and laid-back attractions such as The Duck Stop and Pub With Cold Beer. It’s a pleasant place to cycle, enjoy local food, and experience the countryside at a slower pace.

Where to Stay in Phong Nha

Phong Nha offers a wide range of accommodation, from hotels in the town center and farmstays surrounded by nature to upscale resorts. If you’re traveling on the Hue to Phong Nha train, it’s a good idea to book your accommodation in advance, especially on weekends and during the main travel season from March to August.

Oxalis Home

Located in central Phong Nha along the Son River, Oxalis Home is a convenient choice for travelers who want easy access to Phong Nha Cave boat pier, restaurants, and other services in town. The property offers both private river-view rooms and dormitories, making it suitable for solo travelers as well as groups of friends.

Beyond its convenient location, Oxalis Home also offers several useful facilities, including Expedition Restaurant, which serves Vietnamese and Western dishes, and the Oxalis Gear Shop, where travelers can purchase trekking essentials such as trekking pants, trekking shirts, windbreakers, arm sleeves, head coverings, and socks. Guests joining Oxalis expedition tours can also be arranged to stay free of charge in a dormitory early in the morning on their departure day.

Chay Lap Farmstay

Located about a 15-minute drive from central Phong Nha, Chay Lap Farmstay offers a peaceful retreat surrounded by rural landscapes and limestone mountains. The property has 41 rooms divided into three areas: Farm, Garden, and Mountain, making it suitable for couples, families, and groups of friends.

Facilities and activities include a swimming pool, herbal steam room, kayaking and SUP on the Chay River, as well as cycling routes through the surrounding villages. It’s an excellent choice if you want to combine a relaxing stay with outdoor activities.

Blue Diamond Retreat

Blue Diamond Retreat is an eco-retreat surrounded by forest, around 15 - 20 minutes from central Phong Nha. The property runs on solar power and is designed to blend naturally into its surroundings.

Accommodation includes spacious bungalows and Eco Houses, which use natural cooling systems instead of conventional air conditioning. Guests can go SUP boarding or kayaking on Blue Stream, relax in a treehouse, walk across wooden bridges through the forest, or enjoy a BBQ and team-building activities surrounded by nature.

Tu Lan Lodge

Located in Tan Hoa, approximately 70 km from Phong Nha, Tu Lan Lodge is a good base for travelers who want to explore the Tu Lan cave system or experience life in a village recognized by UN Tourism as one of the “Best Tourism Villages” in the world.

The lodge offers Mountain Bungalows built on the hillside, Riverview Bungalows designed to adapt to the flood season, and Rural Homestays operated by local residents. Beyond accommodation, guests can join Hang Tien and Tu Lan cave tours, cycle around the village, or experience the daily life and culture of the Tan Hoa community.

Commander Lodge

Commander Lodge is located along the Son River and is a good choice for travelers who want to combine a relaxing stay with visits to historical sites along Victory Road 20 and Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park.

The property has a nature-inspired design and a peaceful atmosphere, making it a comfortable place to unwind after a day of sightseeing. It is also a convenient option for travelers joining the Command Cave tour or other programs exploring the area’s history and natural landscapes.