PHONG NHA CAVES (PHONG NHA

Son Doong, Tra Ang, Paradise Cave, & of course Phang Nga – Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park is every cave lover"s dreamdestination.


*

Don"t let Asia pass you by.

Whether it’s cycling the Himalayas, meeting the Asaro mudmen of Papua New Guinea, or simply surrendering khổng lồ breathtaking beauty and luxury on a Maldivian island idyll, Seamless, serene travel will give you the space lớn experience a journey not just of the body toàn thân and mind but also of the soul, infused with a deep understanding of Asian peoples and cultures.


Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park in central Vietnam was once a struggling small town but today it’s a growing tourist destination. It’s all because of one incredible discovery: the Phong Nha Caves – the largest karst caverns in the world hidden in lush jungles và mountains. There are over three hundred caves in the area but exploring them by yourself is not an option. Partly because it’s difficult và dangerous but also because the area also has unexploded ordinance & landmines from the American War in Vietnam. Despite all of that destruction, this remains one of the most beautiful places in all of Southeast Asia – but you have lớn go underground lớn find it.

Bạn đang xem: Phong nha caves (phong nha


Phong Nha Cave


*

The name Phong Nha means ‘dragon tooth’, so named for the spectacular stalagmites on the roof of the cave’s entrance; many ‘teeth’ have since broken off. It is only a 30 minute boat ride from Phong Nha town. The boat maneuvers the Son River into an underground entrance that snakes inside the cave. The river can take visitors 1.3 kilometers into the 7.7 kilometer cave, where stalactites & stalagmites of various shapes grow all around the cave in grottoes formed by the river dissolving the limestone.

The cave once hid a floating bridge during the Vietnam War, which was used as a means khổng lồ get across the river. When the US discovered this, they sent planes lớn bomb the cave. Yellow stains are still visible at the vị trí cao nhất of the cave entrance from bomb residue. The only ordinance to lớn make it through was a phosphorus bomb, which had landed in the water.


Paradise Cave


*

ABOVE: Paradise Cave in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park.


Paradise Cave is known as one of the most beautiful caves in Phong Nha. It is also the longest dry cave in Asia at 31 kilometers long, extending all the way khổng lồ Laos. The cave was discovered in 2005 by a local hunting in the area and explored by the British Cave Research Association. Now operated by a Vietnamese company, the cave opened in 2009 welcoming visitors khổng lồ admire its beauty on a 1.5-kilometer wooden walkway.

Xem thêm: Top 10 Bài Hát Hay Nhất Của Ca Sĩ Lệ Quyên Không Thể Bỏ Lỡ, Những Bài Hát Hay Nhất Của Lệ Quyên

The kích thước and shape of the stalactites và stalagmites combined with the uneven cave walls size an otherworldly scene, illuminated by strategic lighting. Along the journey, the guide points out depressions that marking the beginnings of a stalactite formations, hollow columns, as well as scorpions and crickets. The highlight, however, is the doline at the kết thúc of the seven kilometers, a circular collapsed roof vị trí cao nhất that lets in the sunlight.


Son Doong Cave


*

EXPLORE MORE


Explore Son Doong, the World’s Biggest Cave


Son Doong Cave was first spotted by a local in 1991 who was hunting và logging the area. He helped relocate and explore it in 2009 with the British Cave Research Association, discovering that it is the largest cave in the world at 38.5 million cubic meters in capacity. Beyond its sheer size, the cave is also home to stunning geological wonders such as the 80-meter tall calcite wall known as the Great Wall of Vietnam. Cave pearls, 60-meter tall stalagmites, và two dolines are among the other highlights. It is estimated lớn be three million years old, carved out by the Rao Thuong River along a fault line.

For those who want to see the cave for themselves, a four-day trek is required và only 1,000 people are allowed in each year. The expedition involves walking, climbing, bouldering, và the added bonus of visiting the Hang En Cave, the third largest cave.


Tra Ang Cave


ABOVE: Tra Ang Cave video. (Source)


Aside from the big names mentioned above, there are many lesser known caves in Phong Nha that are beautiful in their own right, & Tra Ang Cave is one of them. A newly opened cave in 2016, Tra Ang is a wet cave that is explored by swimming. The river that fills up the cave runs all the way from Son Doong Cave, giving the water a cool temperature even in the middle of summer. The jagged cave top & the curve of the river inside gives the entrance an eerie, ethereal vibe reminiscent of a sci-fi or fantasy movie.

To get up lớn the cave mouth requires climbing over some slippery limestone, & from there, it’s easy to lớn swim the first 300 meters into the cave; however, it is done in increasing darkness as your head torch becomes the only light source. At the kết thúc is the river from Son Doong Cave with a narrow entrance, rushing into the cave with a strong current.


nam giới Cheah

Twitter Facebook Instagram
nam Cheah is a third culture millennial who spent half her life in Hong Kong & the other half in the UK. With a passion for travel, hikes, food, và puns, she documents her travel on her suitably named blog: Laugh, Travel, Eat. When she’s not doing any of that, she’s either catching up on TV while online shopping or writing her novels.

Intrigued? If you are interested in traveling to Asia or would like advice from one of our specialists, we’d love khổng lồ hear from you.

Visit Our Main Site
Specialists in extraordinary luxury travel to lớn Asia since 2006.

*

*

Previous article

Dozen Dream Destination 2020: Cardamom Mountains for the Luxury Camp


*

Next article

Remote Lands Cold Winter Pick: Seoul for the City and the Skiing


Experience It For Yourself


with a Remote Lands luxury holiday


Itinerary

Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, vương quốc nụ cười

Southeast Asia - Aman Jet Expeditions - November 5-13, 2022


View Trip
Itinerary

Vietnam | Motorcycling

Ride on the Wild Side: Motorcycling along Vietnam


View Trip
Itinerary

Vietnam | Tribal, Amazing Landscapes

Mountains, Tribes & National Parks of Northern Vietnam: tía Be, Dong Van và Ha Giang


View Trip
Itinerary

Vietnam | Amazing Landscapes, Tribal

Northern Charms of Sapa and Lao Cai


View Trip
Itinerary

Vietnam | Tribal, Trekking

The Way to lớn Heaven"s Gate: Hanoi to Ha Giang


View Trip

Related Articles


Sports

Danang: The Vietnam Golf Haven Worth the Journey


Asia

Hill Tribes & Caves: Hiking in Vietnam


Vietnam

The nam giới Hai’s Blaise Claude Montandon on Travel in Post-COVID Vietnam


Macao

Grand Suites open at Four Seasons in Macao


Asia

Vietnam War History Expedition


Vietnam

Spotlight on Vietnam: Favorite Remote Lands Journeys


Receive more articles lượt thích this


Email*
Comments
This field is for validation purposes & should be left unchanged.




Ancient Cities of Siam 3/3