Experience the best of Dong Hoi

Dong Hoi is the capital of Quang Binh province, on a narrow stretch of Vietnam's central coast where the Nhat Le River meets the sea. The gate of the old citadel, Quang Binh Quan, still stands, though much of the city was rebuilt after the bombing of the Vietnam War. It is a quiet seaside town with a long beach at Nhat Le and a riverside promenade.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, a UNESCO site to the north-west, has some of the largest caves in the world, including Son Doong, the biggest known cave passage, and Phong Nha cave, explored by boat on an underground river, and Paradise Cave, with a huge hall of stalactites. Karst peaks and jungle cover the park, and the Ho Chi Minh Trail ran through this region. Beaches and fishing villages line the coast.

Fresh seafood is the theme: squid grilled on the beach, crab, shrimp and fish from the river mouth, served with rice noodles and herbs. The hot, dry months from April to August suit the beaches, and the rains and storms come between September and December.