Phong Nha Botanic Garden

I have no idea why this is called a “botanical garden” LOL It’s a forest with some paths and signs. The lady told us the inner ring would take us 90 minutes to 2 hours but it only took 40 minutes (and we walked slowly), but maybe she was accounting for the beautiful waterfall with a spectacular view where we stopped for ages and absorbed the nature. Also she said it closes at 5 but we stayed until sunset (6pm) and our bikes weren’t locked or anything, she just left. For 40k this is a pretty amazing deal. If you don’t have much time you could just go straight to the waterfall, you’ll get there in like 20 minutes.

TLDR: very nice walk - recommended, use proper shoes and take enough water and a little energy snack.
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We cycled all the way from Phong nha to the botanic garden. We had very bad bikes but it was no problem at all. Mostly flat.

BUT: last 800 m are very steep. If you have no gears you need to walk and push.
Please be careful on way back down as these old bikes might not break well enough. Huge risk of crashing. Just walk down as we did.

At the garden bicycles park for free, scooter 5.000 and cars 10.000.

Entrance is 40.000 per person

There are various walks of 0.5 h to 3h.
We did the long walk and it took us 2h in total. So not the 3 h as advertised.

On the way you will find a couple of water holes where people apparently like to cool down.

We didn't but it looked safe. At the end of the walk there is a medium size waterfall with bathing option.

The walk (long one) starts uphill on a path with concrete steps. Easy enough for average fit people.
It is very beautiful and serene.

The last bit before the waterfall was very steep and a little slippery.
There are ropes to support you but a certain strength, agility and balance is needed.
Not recommended in sandals.

There is a little store for drinks/restaurant in front of the garden to charge your battery afterwards.

Georgeous, you can be alone for a bit if you go the other way around the tour you are supposed to, only 40k! We could have spend 3h or more hours in there just enjoying the peace of the jungle.

Absolutely loved our visit here ... 15 mins on scooters out of Phong Nha village, parking was 5k vnd per bike.

Also has WiFi if you go to the seating area - life saver as one of our scooters died down the road and no mobile reception due to the karsts!

Swim at the swimming hole was just fun to do ... there's some fish in there so don't be surprised if you feel something move round you!

Either a 1:30 hr or a 3 hr walk to choose from. We chose the shorter one and doubled back to the view point (top tip ... there are old red arrows marked on the rocks at the top ... follow then down to the waterfall path as it saves a back leg path)

Waterfall walk is awesome but be ready to get very wet feet so make sure you have suitable footwear. Walk uses rope, ladders and boulders so you need to have some basic fitness. Not suitable for anyone injured or with mobility restrictions!

Even saw a monkey 🐒

I really enjoyed the hike and the waterfalls. As previous reviews mention, it's not a botanical garden with flowers, but a nice place to go for a hike. We did the larger loop and it took 1.5-2hrs at a normal walking pace. Also there is a good restaurant at the entrance, with very good prices (fried noodles with egg and vegetables for 30k).

If you’re used to botanical gardens in Europe, this is not like them! It’s more like an unguided jungle trek; scrambling over slippery rocks, walks through jungle and medium inclines. It can be challenging, especially would say you need some fitness to complete the 3 hr route.

There is no real wildlife, not even the sound of birds on the walk.

If you wear the right shoes (with grip) and expect to get wet and potentially muddy, it’s a fun, but challenging walk.

A very untamed botanical garden, which I prefer. I immersed myself in it on a lovely morning, go early if you can. If you love hiking, go here. You are allowed to swim in the mini waterfall but the water looks kinda stale when i was there.

Was hoping to see some wildlife but it’s luck dependent. Full route is about 3.5km, 146m elevation gained based on my apple watch. I took my time so definitely can be done in 1 hr.

Great hike through the rainforest to see the waterfall and view point.

We had to pay for a guide which was 300kVND split between our group. This was due to heavy rainfall making the path dangerous in places.

Motorbike parking was safe and room for cars too.

Had to pay an entry fee per person.

Motorbike parking was 5kVND.

Its a nice little walk around,
Some cool animals to see, like porcupines,
peacocks and some wild animals,
Some decent waterfalls and a small amount of views to see,
Its a good little trip out but its not a "must see"

A good place for trekking in the tropical jungle. It's not a Botanic garden as you thought, it's more like walking in the forest.
Ticket price is 40k per person. Parking is 5k per bike.
There are 3 routes to go to the waterfall. Easiest route takes about 40 mins in total, next route takes about 1h30 mins in total, longest route takes about 3 hours in total. We went with the longest route. We arrived in the viewpoint after an hour and 10 minutes walking, the rest of the time we spent in the waterfall and going back.
The lady in the counter does not mention about the longest route, however, we just followed the arrows and the map. It's quite straightforward to walk to the viewpoint and the waterfall. Sometimes we feel like we were lost in the jungle but we just kept following the route to get out.
We visited the Botanic in March and August 2022, both time we went after a rainy day. The route was pretty slippery, have to be careful when you walk through rocks and slope. The waterfall required to climb up to the slippery rock.
Suitable for people want like trekking. Elders and young children should consider before walking in.

More of a via ferrata than a botanical garden. The waterfall is pretty though. Entrance 40k and parking scooter 5k, car 10k

Botanical gardens is maybe not the right name. Great hiking trails, display center with persevered specimens from the area and some hilariously bad taxidermy. Theres a few bomb craters along the trail and great view from the top of the waterfall

As others have said, not really a botanical garden. Nonetheless a great, albeit slightly challenging, walk to the waterfall. On the route you can see peacocks and porcupines.

Cool hiking path through jungle, as by my interpretation not as much a botanic garden. Still very cool though. Highlight must be Gio Waterfall. It is amazing to walk up or down through the waterfall.

Most parts of the trail are of good quality, though there are definitely some more challenging parts (nothing too crazy though).

Really nice. Very affordable. The waterfall makes the whole thing worth it

There are little fish, frogs, snails and lots of aquatic animals and birds here so please make sure not to leave any trash! I found shampoo packets in the water 😡

There are some animals in cages which seem not very happy. I think it's kind of sad to see them here

Botanical garden is a misleading name, it's more of a nature preserve with a pathway leading through it

The jungle here is definitely second or third generation growth so you won't find a lot of old trees here. Seems like the vines are taking over this region so, definitely appreciate what's here before it's destroyed!

Not sure what Vietnam is going to do about this problem, seems like a lot of the other mountains in this area are getting wiped out

It's not exactly a garden, more like a jungle. They give you a map with three routes. You'll encounter amazing waterfalls, swimming hole and spectacular views throughout the trail.

Must go if you visit Phong Nha!!

This is not a walk in the park. Be prepared to climb steep and slippery rocks to the waterfall. Insect repellent is recommended

Definitely a must if you re done with caving and want to enjoy the "outside" outdoors 😏 We did trail #1 (no guide) and it was magnificent, felt like trekking in the heart of the jungle! Keep in mind the trail is challenging, especially around the waterfall. But very rewarding with great views too! Took us 50min or so, and I think we spend 50k pp

I wouldn't call it a garden but just a trail in the jungle.
Very beautiful! You can take the long trail which is about 3 hours or the short one which is 1 hour. There are ladders and ropes sometimes, it's not the easiest walk but also not so hard. There is a beautiful pool to swim in and waterfalls and rivers.
I recommend bringing a mosquito repellent, there are many there and also many bugs.

Very nice place. Don't expect a Botanic Garden with a few glasshouses and a nice walkable way.

This is real nature. Trail goes up a mountain and will guide you through a waterfall. Good shoes are important, there are some slippery passages. On some parts ropes are provided and necessary.

3 hours for a relatively short track sounds a lot, but we required that time. In some parts it's getting adventurous. It was a nice trail.