The way this destination was being described to me was something I just had to see first hand and my god I am glad I did! This majestic and remote area of rural Vietnam sits amid the coastline and mountainside. What had me most excited was the thought that this region of northern central Vietnam is a location so very new to tourism and is basically unspoiled. I was sold on this alone and with the chance to discover an area where limited people have previously been our travel plans were modified.

After arriving by train to Dong Hoi station we jumped into a taxi and made our way to our accommodation for the next four nights at the Phong Nha Farmstay. The taxi ride took about 40 minutes and after hitting the countryside you could see how remote this region truly is with limited cars and motorbikes on the road. I could already tell this was going to be a memorable journey.

Once pulling up to the Farmstay my first impressions were ‘Wow, this place is beautiful.’ The house itself has a real French Colonial feel to it with lovely gardens wrapping around the property and breathtaking views. The Farmstay itself is immersed amongst the remote countryside situated around 8.5 kilometers from town. Once meeting the property manager at the doorsteps we entered the lobby/dining area and checked into our room. The staff was quick to offer us our welcome drinks of any beverage we would desire then we were off to check into our private double room with en-suite.

Our room was comfortable with a large bed, mosquito net, air-conditioning, fridge and a generous modern bathroom with high ceilings throughout. Over the course of our 4 night stay this was exceptional and made for great sleeps.

As we arrived late on the first evening I was eager to rise early and explore the property and see what was on offer. After strolling about I discovered the property has a large open dining area, which spans from the pool and game area out the back to the front where there are benches and more tables. There is also a rooftop entertainment area where you can sit back and gaze off into the mountain side and even catch a spectacular sunset. Once walking outside the front gates of the Farmstay directly opposite is their chill out hammock and outdoor entertainment area where they show evening movies onto the big screen for those who are interested. Although one of the greatest assets the Farmstay has would have to be their immediate landscape, which is any outdoor photographer’s dream.

On our first day we were very lucky as the previous week there had been a large amount of rain, which had left the rice paddies that covered the land underwater. This allowed us to borrow a kayak from the Farmstay and paddle out into the middle of what seemed a lake and snap some sensational pictures.

The Farmstay has great options in terms of food with daily specials, which are changed regularly. With each reservation made you receive a complimentary breakfast from a selected list of options. I would highly recommend the ‘Beef Noodle Soup’ for breakfast. The dish is delicious! As there are limited food options around the area and you wouldn’t want to arrive back at the Farmstay after dark, we dined here each night. The food and drinks are fairly priced, and there are many different options for even the fussiest of eaters.

The staff were polite and tried their best to work with you and communicate in English to the best of their abilities. If you have any questions or queries, they are more than happy to assist you in whichever way possible. You can relax and sleep easy with the assurance of present security on the property at all times.

The Farmstay has many tours which operate around the surrounding areas. They are known for their ‘Phong Nha Farmstay National Parks Tour’ which takes you through the National Park and into the stunning caves scattered throughout the park with a history lesson along the way. Other tours, which are offered include:

The Pub with Cold Beer

Paradise Cave 7Km Adventure

Jeep and Ural Tours

Hang En Trek

Boat and Bike Tours

Bicycle, Motorbike and Other Tours

The Farmstay offers accommodation for all types of travellers from five bed dormitories (seasonal), Double and Twin rooms with en-suite and large family rooms. You will be able to find something that meets the needs of your travelling party.

All in all our stay with the Phong Nha Farmstay was exceptional with days full of adventures and evenings full of homely meals and great company. There is so much to do in this remote area of Vietnam and my greatest recommendation is to make sure you get to the National Park at some point its an awesome experience to be had.

Source: sirwanderlust.com