Hello Hivers,
Hiking into the Phong Nha Botanic Garden is one of the best options in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park if you want a day trip that requires a moderate level of fitness but includes a variety of outdoor activities. Today, I'd like to take you to see this wonderful garden, which is regarded as the epitome of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, with its diverse and valuable flora, fauna, and stunning natural landscapes.
*So where is that destination and how to get there?
The Botanic Garden is located on Victory Road 20, right at the National Park's entrance. (The Victory Road is a branch of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, which was heavily bombed by the North Vietnamese Army between 1967 and 1975 to supply the southern war effort.) The name was given by locals in Phong Nha to encourage the Vietnamese Army and defeat the enemy during the war).
It is only 12 kilometres from Phong Nha town and approximately 60 kilometres up to the northwest along the Ho Chi Minh Highway from Dong Hoi city. This natural forest is easily accessible from Dong Hoi or Phong Nha Town by car or motorbike.
How to buy a ticket?
Simply go to the ticket counter on the right-hand side from the gate of the botanic garden and buy a ticket for yourself.
The price of a ticket for adults is 40.000 VND (about USD 1.8) and will be for free for children under 1.3m in height.
What to do in the Botanic Garden?
The Garden, which spans 40 hectares, offers a variety of activities such as hiking, watching wild animals, learning more about the world of floras, and swimming in a spectacular waterfall.
You will begin your journey by going to the exhibition house, which displays rare primates from the National Park as well as a 350 million-year-old coral fossil sample. The age of fossils may be comparable to the age of the limestone mountains in this area, which are thought to be the oldest rock in Southeast Asia.
You then cross the small wooden bridge and walk along the path to the section with the watching semi-animals. All of the animals here are rescued by a team of National Park rangers if they are injured in some way and brought here to be cared for until they recover. The rangers will then return the animal to the jungle. That is why they are called semi-wild animals. There are monkeys, porcupines, peacocks...
As you progress deeper into the forest, you will encounter 500 valuable plants, many of which are valuable for scientific research as well as economic value.
Continue hiking deeper into the botanic garden to see Vang Anh Lake, which is a beautiful lake. You can also swim here because the water is clear and blue.
You then hike for another 3 kilometres, with many ups and downs, to see the spectacular Wind Waterfall. The Waterfall is truly breathtaking, but keep in mind that the descent and climb are both difficult and slippery and rocky. Expect to cross the Waterfall, and it is recommended that you wear waterproof hiking shoes. There are plenty of opportunities for swimming, relaxing, and photographing. You will keep hiking up to the top of the waterfall and see the whole view of the jungle. Relaxing a bit here before walking back to the park by a different route.
What to bring?
- Hiking clothes ( easy to get dry, as comfortable as possible and long trousers)
- Hiking boots
- Towel
- Snack and water
- Day bag
- Swim-suit
- Sunglasses, sunhat and sunscreen
This is an excellent place to spend time with friends or family. If you want to stay overnight and enjoy a BBQ party, you can make that happen here also.
Thank you for reading!