September 2nd Holiday Heritage Journey - Connecting the Parallel - Quang Binh - Quang Tri 2 Days 1 Night
Highlights
Leaving the noisy city behind, the 2-day 1-night journey from Hue takes you back to the past and lets you touch the pristine beauty of Central Vietnam's nature. From the heroic land of Quang Tri – where every landmark is associated with epic history, to Quang Binh – a land of majestic mountains and magnificent caves, this trip is a perfect combination of memory, experience, and relaxation.
You will cross both banks of the Hien Luong River, listen to stories underground at the Vinh Moc Tunnels, and then relax on a boat in the middle of the Son River, exploring the enchanting beauty of Phong Nha Cave. Every destination, every moment is an indispensable part of the complete picture of this short but profound journey.
Detailed itinerary
06:00 – Departure from Hue
Car and tour guide pick up guests at Hue city center. Travel along Highway 1A, starting the journey to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) – a region that once divided the country for over 20 years.
07:00 – Visit La Vang Holy Land
Stop at La Vang – a major pilgrimage center of Vietnamese Catholicism, where Our Lady of La Vang is believed to have appeared in the late 18th century during the fierce anti-Catholic persecution under King Canh Thinh (Tay Son dynasty).
07:30 – Travel to Quang Tri Ancient Citadel
The Ancient Citadel is a military fortress built during the reign of King Gia Long (1809), playing a strategic role throughout various historical periods.
07:40 – Visit Quang Tri Ancient Citadel
This was the site of the fierce 81-day-and-night battle in the summer of 1972 between the Liberation Army of South Vietnam and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, fighting for control over Quang Tri town.
This area is now a memorial site and cemetery, the resting place for thousands of unnamed fallen soldiers, symbolizing the immense sacrifice and loss during the war.
08:40 – Travel to Hien Luong Bridge – Ben Hai River
Follow Highway 1 North to the 17th Parallel.
09:40 – Visit Hien Luong Bridge – Ben Hai River
This area was once the boundary dividing North and South Vietnam under the 1954 Geneva Accords.
- Hien Luong Bridge witnessed various forms of psychological warfare, such as loudspeaker duels, competing flag-pole building, and painting the bridge brighter colors between the two sides.
- Visitors will hear explanations about the symbols of division, such as the white demarcation line, the flagpoles of both regions, and the war artifact display area.
10:00 – Travel to Phong Nha via the West Branch of Ho Chi Minh Highway
En route, the tour guide will explain the Truong Son Route (Ho Chi Minh Trail) – the vital artery transporting food and weapons from the North to the South during the anti-American resistance war.
12:30 – Have lunch at a local restaurant (Phong Nha)
Rest and prepare for the afternoon cave tour.
13:30 – Visit Phong Nha Cave
Phong Nha Cave is a UNESCO-recognized World Natural Heritage site, renowned for:
- The longest underground river in Southeast Asia
- A diverse stalactite and stalagmite system formed tens of millions of years ago
- Serving as a shelter and supply depot for the Liberation Forces during the war
Visitors will take a motorboat along the Son River, going about 1.5 km inside the cave, listening to detailed commentary on its geology, formation history, and wartime military significance.
16:30: Board the vehicle and return to check in at the hotel in Dong Hoi City.
19:00: Car and tour guide take guests to a local restaurant for dinner.
08:00 – Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards, the vehicle and tour guide will pick you up to depart for Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. Along the way, the guide will share insights into the history, culture, and unique landscape of Quang Binh province.
09:30 – Arrive at the Paradise Cave tourist area and begin your journey discovering the “underground palace”.
- Transfer by buggy/electric car to the foot of the mountain, then climb the steps to the cave entrance.
- Explore the mystical beauty of the cave: glittering stalagmites and stalactites in unique shapes resembling waterfalls, rice fields, Buddha statues...
- Paradise Cave is famous for its length of up to 31.4 km, known as the “longest dry cave in Asia”.
12:00 – Rest and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. The menu includes local specialties such as three-color sticky rice, rice balls with sesame salt, crispy fried fish, braised prawns, wild vegetables with caramelised pork dip,...
13:30 – Depart for the Chay River – Dark Cave tourist area to continue exploring the pristine nature of Phong Nha – Ke Bang.
- Enjoy kayaking on the Chay River with its stunning turquoise waters, winding through towering limestone cliffs.
- Visit the Dark Cave area, enjoy the cool atmosphere inside, and experience unique natural mud bathing.
- Have fun with exciting activities: ziplining into the river, ziplining to the cave, free swimming…
16:00 – Board the vehicle to depart back to Hue City. End of the tour, farewell and see you again on future journeys with Sovaba Travel.
Included
- 1-night stay at a hotel.
- New model air-conditioned tourist vehicle moving according to the itinerary.
- Professional Vietnamese or English-speaking tour guide throughout the route.
- Entrance fees for tour destinations:
- Phong Nha Cave
- Paradise Cave
- Chay River - Dark Cave
- Hien Luong Bridge
- Quang Tri Ancient Citadel
- 2 lunches at a restaurant with a standard of 150,000 VND/person.
- Mineral water: 2 bottles / 1 guest / 1 day.
- Cold towels: 2 pieces / 1 guest / 1 day.
- Travel insurance, maximum cover: 20,000,000 VND / 1 guest / 1 case.
- Sovaba Travel tourist hat.
Not included
- VAT invoice
- Personal expenses, dining costs, and sightseeing at attractions outside the itinerary.
- Tips for drivers and tour guides:
- If guests are satisfied with the service of the driver and guide, they may tip at their discretion. This tip amount is completely optional but traditionally starts at a minimum of 50,000 VND/guest/day.
- Standard tip for foreign tourists: 3 USD/guest/day.
- Immediately after registration (30 days before departure): 100% deposit penalty.
- Prior to 7 days (before tour departure): 50% penalty of the total tour cost.
- Prior to 5 days (before tour departure): 75% penalty of the total tour cost.
- Within 5 days (before tour departure): 100% penalty of the total tour cost.
- No refunds, cancellations, or changes allowed for groups during Holidays and New Year.