Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park was recognized as a world natural heritage site by UNESCO in 2003. It is located in Quang Binh Province which is about 500km to the south of Hanoi, 42km to the west of the South China Sea. The national park is well known for its system of more than 300 limestone caves which are up to millions years old; underground river systems and hundreds of species of plants and animals live together in this spectacular ecosystem. Phong Nha – Ke Bang is increasingly attracting international travelers after Son Doong cave which is known as the world’s largest cave was only discovered in 2009.
Phong Nha – Ke Bang. The National Park
Have been as a professional tour guide for many years, I’ve had many chances to visit this place. Yet every time I visit I feel excited, as though it was my first time visiting, because I’m always awed by its unique beauty. Due to its location in the tropical monsoon climate, its ecosystem is extremely diversified which includes: 140 mammal species, 302 bird species, 81 reptile species, 72 fish species, 10 primates, etc. And more than a half of these are endemic species or in the Vietnamese Red List. Specially, 92% of the park’s area is still covered by primeval forest that captivates any traveler by natural’s grandeur.
When visiting Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, we actually have many choices of different caves with its own beauty.
The more widely known are:
Paradise Cave
Discovered only in 2005, the beauty of this cave would satisfy even the most demanding traveler, this, it’s name “The Paradise”. Recognized as the longest dry cave in Asia, this spectacular system extends for 31,4km, though most people only visit the first 1,4km by the wooden bridge.
Phong Nha Cave
This is the longest wet cave in Asia, a boat trip through Phong Nha Cave is an enjoyable, alberit touristy, experience beginning in Son Trach town. Some traces in this cave show that it might have been a Champa cathedral in the 9th – 11th centuries.
Dark Cave
Located only 5km from Paradise Cave. This is a wonderful place to immerse yourself in nature with activities such as kayaking, mud bathing, ziplining, etc …
Son Doong Cave
The world’s largest cave was discovered only in 2009. It has astonished to all the experts who found it. Because the preservation process is very tight, there is only a small number of travelers have been allowed into this cave for many years.
There are many other great options waiting for your footprints. Tell us what your interests are, and we will tell you which experiences will best suit for you.
(Justin Ngoc Pham)
