Chay River

The Chay River (Song Chay) is a turquoise river flowing through Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Bo Trach District, Quang Tri Province, near Phong Nha town. Originating in the Annamite Range, it winds through dramatic limestone karst landscapes. Notable for its emerald-blue water, the river is a central adventure tourism hub offering kayaking, ziplining and access to Dark Cave, and forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Phong Nha-Ke Bang karst system.

Visitors can expect a scenic river with clear turquoise and emerald water surrounded by limestone karsts and jungle within Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. The main visitor area is the Chay River - Dark Cave (Song Chay - Hang Toi) site where tourists can kayak, swim, zipline across the river to the cave entrance, and enjoy mud bathing inside Dark Cave. The setting is natural and active, with boat docks, sandy riverbanks, and forested mountains.

The Chay River flows through Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 2003 for its ancient karst landscape formed over 400 million years. The river has long supported local communities in Son Trach and is now a key part of the park's geotourism and conservation area.

The river is central to local tourism livelihoods in Phong Nha and represents the natural heritage of the Phong Nha-Ke Bang region, showcasing the karst river ecosystem that is culturally valued for ecotourism and community-based tourism development.