From the mountains to the sea, and the experiences of visiting Quang Binh.

“I’ve traveled across Vietnam, through the North and several Central provinces. Quang Binh is one of the few places that left a strong impression on me and made me want to return the most. Quang Binh’s nature is incredibly diverse, from mountains and forests to rivers and streams to the sea; everywhere is beautiful. It can be said that this is a land of picturesque landscapes,” shared Yen Lee (24 years old, travel content creator).

Currently, she is on a 10-month trip across Vietnam, exploring all 63 provinces and cities.

Quang Binh - a destination for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts.

Visiting Quang Binh is an experience of exploring a land of forests and seas… with its pristine and majestic nature. Quang Binh is known as the "kingdom of caves" because of its rich cave system and many beautiful landscapes bestowed by nature. Mountains and caves can be considered a tourism specialty of Quang Binh, attracting a large number of tourists to explore them every year.

Quang Binh is located in the central coastal region, where natural and cultural elements from both the North and South converge. Although not very large in area, Quang Binh boasts forests, seas, hills, mountains, rivers, streams, and plains.

“When I first arrived, I was truly overwhelmed by the natural beauty of Quang Binh. The Phong Nha - Ke Bang area has lush green mountains and the Son River flowing through them. Phong Nha Cave is one of the largest and most beautiful caves in Vietnam, with its myriad of stalactite formations and is also easy to navigate. This is a place that almost everyone visiting Quang Binh goes to. If you have the means, health, and time, you can explore Son Doong Cave (you need to book a tour well in advance), En Cave for a 2-day, 1-night trek or even longer…”, Yen Lee said.

Besides the large and beautiful caves, Phong Nha - Ke Bang also boasts Mooc Stream with its incredibly clear water. Many families choose this place to swim and have lunch. In addition, there's a platter of food with many tempting dishes such as grilled chicken, grilled pork, river shrimp, sticky rice, rice balls with sesame salt, and various fruits with a dipping sauce that's very "rice rolls".

The Chay River area offers thrilling activities such as zipline, water slide, and kayaking, providing players with a range of exciting emotions, sometimes even goosebumps from fear.

Along National Highway 1A from Ha Tinh to Dong Hoi, there are several notable places such as Bai Da Nhay (a rocky outcrop rising high on the coast, popular for swimming or taking photos), Quang Phu sand dunes (a fairly large sand dune offering views of Dong Hoi airport and airplanes. You can walk or use an off-road vehicle to get around the dunes), and Nhat Le beach (for swimming and enjoying seafood).

Things you should try when traveling to Quang Binh.

Besides its many beautiful landscapes, Quang Binh also offers numerous fun places and exciting experiences.

Kayaking in Phong Nha Cave, immersed in a tranquil space with only the sound of paddles and dripping water. The high humidity creates a cool, refreshing feeling as you admire the stalactites and stalagmites and learn about the ancient script in Bi Ky Cave.

For lunch, enjoy a platter of food (grilled chicken, grilled meat, river shrimp, sticky rice, and various fruits) in the Quang Binh style, in a hut by the Mooc stream.

In addition, there are countless experiences for tourists visiting Quang Binh, such as: swimming and kayaking in Mooc Stream; thrilling ziplining and other games on Chay River; mud baths to replenish minerals for the skin in Dark Cave; climbing to the top of Bai Da Nhay to admire the panoramic view; watching the sunset on Quang Phu sand dunes; enjoying local specialties: carp fish porridge, banh loc, banh nam, banh beo, 24-hour fish porridge…; driving on the road through the pine forest of Cu Nam; sitting by the riverbank under the double bridge watching the train pass by; driving on the pontoon bridge; visiting Canh Duong fish market early in the morning or late in the evening…

Things to note when traveling to Quang Binh

According to Yen Lee, the weather in Quang Binh is quite hot during the day. Choose destinations suitable for different times of the day; for example, during the hot season, go to the caves or swim in the streams. In the afternoon, after 3 PM, the sun is less intense, so you can go swimming and enjoy other outdoor activities. Remember to apply sunscreen, bring a hat and long-sleeved shirt, and drink plenty of water to avoid exhaustion.

Most attractions in Phong Nha - Ke Bang have water, so wear swimwear or comfortable shorts, and bring a waterproof bag for electronic devices like phones and cameras to capture beautiful photos and videos. Research tourist attractions and ticket prices in Quang Binh before you go to choose the right route and itinerary.

Additionally, the food in Quang Binh is quite spicy, so when ordering at a restaurant, those who can't handle spicy food should inform the owner beforehand.

“The people of Quang Binh are incredibly lovely. Their Central Vietnamese accent is gentle. Although I didn't understand many of their local words, just by looking at how they smile, I know they are very open and friendly. You should travel to Quang Binh at least once in your life, especially with family or a group of friends! I'm sure Quang Binh won't disappoint you,” said Yen Lee.

Phuong Thao is an editor at Travellive magazine. She is passionate about traveling and enjoys capturing moments with her camera in every place she visits. Travel, art, and lifestyle are Phuong Thao's favorite writing topics.

Phuong Thao - Photo: Provided by the interviewee