Son Doong Cave, the world’s largest cave in Vietnam.

The world’s largest Son Doong cave has consumed a lot of ink from the press. It is the number one large cave in the world, attracting many visitors to experience exploration. Currently, Son Doong Cave is being assigned by Quang Binh People’s Committee to Oxalis company to exploit in the form of adventure tourism.

Hang Son Doong Cave
Hang Son Doong Cave

The image of Son Doong Cave is famous on google culture, National Geographic, or travel magazines such as Tripadvisor, Lonely Planet with a large cave system along with magnificent stalactites. The images of Son Doong cave have been featured on many covers as well as major television channels such as BBC or CNN. In the article about Son Doong Cave, we will list detailed information such as the discoverer of Son Doong Cave, details about the cave system as well as tours of Son Doong Cave. https://phongnhacave.org/tours/discovery-cha-loi-cave-system-2-days-1-night/

Where is Son Doong Cave?

Son Doong Cave is located at 17°55’N and 106°14’E, located in Son Trach commune, Bo Trach district, Quang Binh province. Son Doong Cave is located in the core area of Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park. The cave is located close to the Vietnamese border with Laos. Recognized 2 times by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Site. Son Doong Cave is located in Ba Trach district, Quang Binh province.

In the cave
In the cave

Son Doong Cave was formed about 2-5 million years, when river water flowed through limestone that had been buried along a fault line. The current erodes and creates a huge tunnel in the ground under the mountain range. In places of soft rock, the ceiling collapses to form sinkholes, which for a long time form huge cave arches. The cave has a width of 150 meters, is more than 200 meters high, and has a length of nearly 9km. The estimated capacity of Son Doong Cave is 38.5 million cubic meters (equivalent to 15,000 Olympic swimming pools). The cave has a width of 150 meters, more than 200 meters high, a length of nearly 9km. The estimated capacity of Son Doong Cave is 38.5 million cubic meters (equivalent to 15,000 Olympic swimming pools).

How was Son Doong cave found? The discoverer of Son Doong Cave.

Son Doong Cave was first discovered by one forester named Ho Khanh living in Phong Nha Ke Bang. In 1990 – 1991, during a trip to the forest, he encountered a sudden thunderstorm, while looking for shelter from the rain, he accidentally discovered a cave arch, above which there were large clouds. He was going to go deep into the cave but was afraid so he did not dare to enter the cave anymore and was nestled by the cliff, waiting for the rain.  

Explore Son Doong Cave
Explore Son Doong Cave

In 2007, the British Royal Expedition searched for a new cave in Phong Nha – Ke Bang. Ho Khanh also took them to find Son Doong cave for 2 days but did not find the cave either. During that trip, Howard Limbert himself, observing the natural phenomena of the surrounding area, confirmed to Khanh that there must be a large cave recently… However, time did not allow it, so the cave expedition had to return to England. But before returning to England, Howard Limbert asked Ho Khanh to try to find the cave. After that, Ho Khanh continued to go to the forest and found Son Doong cave in 2008. In early 2009, when the Royal Cave Society expedition returned to Vietnam, Ho Khanh led Howard Limbert’s team and the cave was named Son Doong Cave.

Son Doong Cave to the world.

After carefully surveying the cave, a group of cave experts from Hoang Gia Anh and Quang Binh province introduced Son Doong cave to the world. The subsequent technical announcements about the largest cave in the world and the size and unique ecosystem of Son Doong cave have amazed the whole world. Son Doong Cave has been put into operation for adventure tourism since 2013, Son Doong caves adventure tourism activities have always proved attractive to the domestic and international tourism community with its majestic beauty, magnificence, and many other great values.

Naming the Cave

Originally the name Son Doong Cave was named after the discoverer of Son Doong Cave, Ho Khanh. After that, experts asked for permission to change the name to Son Doong Cave because according to experts Son Doong Cave is located in the Lower Doong region, in the land of Doong. Near this area, there is an ethnic village called Ban Doong, and Son means mountain. Son Doong Cave was discovered and named as such so far.

Highlights of Hang Son Doong

Son Doong Cave with different experiences than few caves have. Many of the highlights listed below show the appeal of this cave.

Wall of Vietnam.

Vietnam Wall is the name of the tallest stalactite wall located at the end of Son Doong. The ceiling of the highest Vietnamese wall is about 200 meters. To reach the Vietnamese wall, it is necessary to overcome a rather muddy cave. Vietnam Wall is the name of the tallest stalactite wall located at the end of Son Doong. The ceiling of the highest Vietnamese wall is about 200 meters.

Wall of Vietnam.
Wall of Vietnam.

To reach the Vietnamese wall, it is necessary to overcome a rather muddy cave. The entire process of climbing this 90m high Wall of Vietnam requires the use of protective equipment and is ensured by Oxalis’ professional safety team. When you reach the top of the Vietnamese wall, you will see the exit of the cave.

Cave campsites

When conquering Son Doong cave, you will have 3 nights to sleep in the cave, the first 1 night to sleep in Hang En, and the other 2 nights to sleep in Son Doong cave.

campsites in the Cave
campsites in the Cave

Son Doong campsite and is very beautiful is an extremely attractive experience that nowhere else has. 2 campsites 1 and camping 2 in the cave have sinkhole views and are located on the bed of the cave covered with white sand. The images of camping in Son Doong cave also make everyone want to conquer 1 time.

Dog paws

Dog paws are a massive natural stalactite in Son Doong cave. The Dogs’ Feet stand tall, a magnificent sight of the world’s largest cave.

Son Doong sinkhole

Son Doong’s two sinkholes are the place with the most beautiful igmages, because this has a lot of light out. Sinkhole 1 aka Dinosaur Echo. At Sinkhole 1, there is also a large layered stalactite block named “Wedding Cake” visitors. Sinkhole 2 is also known as the “Garden of Eden”. The formation of sinkholes allows light to creep into the cave and create a small forest. The endemic Son Doong cave ecosystem was able to survive thanks to sunlight. To get to this location, visitors will have to climb a rocky hill with natural steps rising, which look like stairs leading to the Garden of Eden.

The Climate of Son Doong Cave

With being located in the ground and large porosity, it is considered that Son Doong Cave has 1 type of climate. With the size of the Large Cave is considered the largest in the world,and  the inside of the cave forms clouds from underground water veins. Large and seasonal clouds cover the cave’s compartments creating a magical setting for visitors to admire and take pictures of the cave.

Son Doong Tour

Currently, every year, Son Doong Cave Tour welcomes about 1000 visitors. There are healthy options for each participant. Currently, the cave is assigned to Chua Me Dat company to put into operation and manage exclusively. Therefore, you cannot go into Son Doong Cave on your own. The ticket price for Hang Son Doong for 4 days and 3 nights tour is currently $ 3,000 / 1 person.

Currently, every year, Son Doong Cave Tour welcomes about 1000 visitors. There are healthy options for each participant. Currently, the cave is assigned to Chua Me Dat company to put into operation and manage exclusively. Therefore, you cannot go into Son Doong Cave on your own. The ticket price for Hang Son Doong for 4 days and 3 nights tour is currently $ 3,000 / 1 person. Currently, Son Doong Cave in particular, and Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park in general are considered as the image of Vietnam Tourism. Son Doong tour is currently held 4 days and 3 nights, but Oxalis Adventure operator builds a 6-day-5-night tour. Tour Phong Nha Ke Bang 3 days 2 nights

Son Doong Tour 6 days 5 nights

Day 1: Oxalis Adventure will be available safely in Phong Nha.

Day 2: Trekking Ban Doong – Hang En

Day 3: Cave Gate – Sinkhole Camp Beach 1

Day 4: Sinkhole Camp Beach 2 – Eden Garden

Day 5: Vietnam Wall – Exit Gate – Chay Lap Farmstay

Day 6: Chay Lap Farmstay – Dong Hoi Once conquering this magnificent unique cave is also an opportunity for you to challenge yourself to conquer.

To conquer this cave requires you to have health, and costs $ 3,000. Currently, many Quang Binh tours explore caves with reasonable costs and require less health such as exploring Duong cam waterfall, En cave, Tu Lan, Tiger Cave, Kong sinkhole, or exploring Cha Loi cave system.

Conditions to conquer Son Doong cave

Why Son Doong cave tour priced at $3,000 a person?

Health: This journey is always dangerous, medical professionals will survey to check your health to make sure you are eligible for the trip. A very useful Son Doong travel experience is that before traveling to explore Son Doong cave, you have to practice walking about 10km/day and can cross at least one hill about 200-300m high. Persevere in training for 3-6 months before the journey begins, you are already physically strong enough to join this wonderful journey. Costumes: Because the travel distance is quite long, it is necessary to prepare well in terms of equipment and clothes. You should use airy, smooth shoes that do not hurt your feet and can cling to rocks and climb mountains. Dress in a comfortable, airy ,and convenient way for movement. But also remember to bring warm clothes because the temperature in the cave at night is quite cold.

Personal belongings: Sunscreen and insect repellent are 2 extremely important things you cannot forget to bring on your trip. And for super-quality photos, don’t forget about tripod legs and cameras.

The records that Son Doong cave has brought back.

On April 30, 2013, Guinness published the Book of World Records, in which Son Doong Cave was recognized as the largest cave in the world.

In June 2016, the World Records Association sent a record confirmation document for Son Doong cave, Quang Binh province as the largest natural cave in the world.

On 2016-07-24, the World Record Alliance Council – WorldKings also officially confirmed the record for Son Doong cave.

Son Doong Cave, Google

The Hang Son Doong event on google also kicks how much ink from the press. The image of the world’s largest cave is featured by the number 1 search page on the Google website. Visitors will be more informed as well as introduced around the world.

About Author

client-photo-1
Phong Nha

Comments

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.