The landscape around Phong Nha, in Central Vietnam's Quang Binh Province, is some of the most sublime in the country. The limestone karsts of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, whose jagged, jungled peaks extend all the way to the Lao border, provide a quintessentially exotic backdrop to oceans of rice paddies that spread between languid, blue rivers around the village of Phong Nha, on the plains.

Over the last few years, the road network through this incredible landscape has improved remarkedly. Dirt roads have been paved, back-roads widened, old roads upgraded, highways extended, and new roads constructed. It's ideal for a motorbike road trip. Traffic is still very light, and, although visitor numbers to the area are increasing, most people tend to stick to an established route, leaving the greater Phong Nha area practically deserted and ripe for independent exploration. We have motorbikes for rent at our premises... what's holding you back to go on a ride?

Getting off the tourist trail and exploring the rice paddy farms and rural villages by bicycle is a joy. Don't miss Bong Lai Valley, which feels like the Vietnam of ten years ago.

Bump along the dirt roads to visit The Duck Stop, The Pub with Cold Beer, Wild Boar Eco Farm and several good local eateries. We have bicycles for rent at Greenfield Ecostay. Feel free to ask for the right directions... or just be brave and see where the road takes you!

The stunning 400-million-year-old limestone karst landscape is littered with caves and underground rivers - and every year more are being discovered, surveyed and opened to the public. At more than 5km long, Son Doong Cave is the best known. If you have a spare US$3000 you can try and bag a place on the five-day expedition that Oxalis organizes to its remote location.

With a little less cash and advanced planning, you can visit beautiful Phong Nha Cave, which is closest to Phong Nha town and only accessible by dragon boat from the little jetty here. Dark Cave (Hang Toi) involves a zip line, a muddy exploration, a cold swim and a short kayak trip, while Paradise Cave is a huge dry cavern with a deceptively tiny entrance. The latter has mind-blowing stalactite and stalagmite formations, which can be viewed from a boardwalk. Other caverns, such as Hang Va and Hang En, require some demanding trekking.

Phong Nha's incredible biodiversity includes globally threatened large-antlered muntjacs, langurs, macaques and Asian black bears, not to mention hundreds of species of birds, reptiles and amphibians. Only a fraction of the park is open to tourists, but it's free to enter - you only pay for the specific attractions - and phenomenal views open across the rugged landscape from the 65km loop via Highway 20 and the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The botanical gardens are 12km from town and you can explore on foot, scrambling down to Gio Waterfall for a dip.

There's also the entrance of the Eight Ladies' Cave to visit. Here, a temple honors the eight young locals who, in 1972, were trapped and entombed during an American bombing raid. The whole area was devastated during the Vietnam War (look out for the craters still dotting the countryside), and because there is still unexploded ordnance in the park, independent trekking is prohibited here. Local operators Oxalis and Jungle Boss organize some intrepid multi-day treks in the jungle, where you sleep under canvas or in a minority village.

Chill out... you will undoubtedly find a quiet spot to read, listen to music, or just admire the vast beauty of the area. Have a swim in our infinity pool, while the sun sets behind the hills of Phong Nha.

Watch how the wind gently moves the leaves in the rice fields or simply enjoy a sunrise or sunset in this region. Don't forget... you're on holiday.