Explore Son Doong Cave – Vietnam

Posted By : Threeland Travel / Vietnam Travel Guide

Introduce
Hang Son Doong is located in the core zone of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park announced as the world's largest cave in 2009-2010. Hang Son Doong was discovered by the Royal British Cave Research Association and has been put into operation with the type of adventure tourism since 2013. However, tourism activities here are limited to the number of participants, the number of people exploring Son Doong cave is now less than the number of people who have been in the cave. once stood on Mount Everest.

Geology and cave length
Son Doong belongs to Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, Bo Trach District, Quang Binh Province. Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park has the oldest limestone mountain system in Asia, formed 400-450 million years ago. However, by analyzing fossil sediment samples, Son Doong cave formed relatively young only about 3 million years old. Son Doong was formed on a fault of the Truong Son mountain range and was eroded by the Rao Thuong river over millions of years, forming a giant tunnel beneath the limestone mountain. The cracks in the ceiling of the cave were corroded and subsided, forming large holes leading to the outside. Inside the cave is a magnificent space, a separate world, a rare natural wonder that amazes all explorers and visitors.

Son Doong Cave is nearly 9km long, in some places the ceiling height is up to 200m, 160m wide. With a measured volume estimated at 38.5 million cubic meters, Son Doong surpassed Deer Cave of Malaysia to become the largest natural cave in the world.

A world record
In 2009, Son Doong cave was surveyed by an expedition team led by Mr. Howard Limbert and announced as the largest natural cave in the world with a volume of 38.5 million cubic meters. This measurement method and measurement parameters have been recognized by the world's leading geologists.

On April 30, 2013, the Guinness organization announced the 2013 world record book, which recognized Hang Son Doong as the largest cave in the world.

Highlights inside Son Doong cave
1. Cave entrance: The cave entrance is located deep in the jungle of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, which is also the place where you officially start exploring Son Doong cave.

2. Dog's paw block: This is a massive natural stalactite block in Son Doong cave, looking from afar towards Ho Sut 1, the silhouette of Dog's Foot Block can be seen.

3. Fossil Corridor: An area where the cave walls are filled with coral fossils dating from 300 million years old. This area is next to the first campsite.

4. Camp No. 1: The first campsite of Son Doong cave is located near Ho Sut 1. This beach is quite flat and has a nice view of Ho Sut 1.

5. Sinkhole 1 (Dinosaur Vault): Created by a part of the ceiling collapsed thousands of years ago, sunlight can penetrate the row, so below this sinkhole, there are even trees. and well-developed plants.

6. Sinkhole 2 (Garden of Eden): The formation of the sinkhole allows light to enter the cave and creates a small forest with trees and vegetation; An ecosystem of Son Doong cave was formed and survived by sunlight.

7. Camping No. 2: This is known as the most majestic campground in the world because this campground is located on a carpet of white sand right in the cave.

8. Vietnam Wall: This is the highest stalactite wall in Son Doong cave, this stalactite wall is also the place where the cave's highest ceiling is up to 200 meters.