New caves discovered at Phong Nha-Ke Bang

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  Two new caves have been discovered at the UNESCO world heritage site, the Phong Nha- Ke Bang National Park in the central province of Quang Binh, said well-known cave explore Ho Khanh on Thursday.

The "97" cave

Khanh, who found the caves and named them “97” and “98,” which are the years he got lost in the deep forest of the national park in an exploration trip and had a chance to explore the geological formations there, said “97” is 765 m long and “98” is 750 m long and both are at least 60 m high.
Different from most caves of the park that have rough floors, the floors of these newly found caves are flat like a man-made structure.
Khanh said the two caves are located in the Doong area, which is home to Son Doong, the world’s largest cave discovered in 2009 also by Ho Khanh and a team of British cave explorers from the British Caving Association.
Before the discovery of Son Doong Cave, Phong Nha-Ke Bang held several world cave records such as the longest underground river and the largest caverns and passageways.

Vietnam – World’s Biggest Cave

Hidden in the depths of the Vietnamese jungle lies The Hang Son Doong, part of a network of over 150 caves, the world’s biggest cave has been discovered by British cavers in 2009. The cave passage in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, originally thought to be a modest 150 metres long and 200 feet high, is so large its end is yet to be found.

These are some more of the breathtaking images:

Intrepid journey: A caver stands in front of a huge rock formation as the light shines beneath a skylight in Hang Son Doong

But these remarkable images – taken during two further expeditions of the caves – show the previously undiscovered depths of the magnificent cave passage, now the largest in the world.

At a mammoth 2.5 miles long, 330ft wide and almost 800ft high, Hang Son Doong also known as Mountain River Cave, is as high as 25 double decker buses.

Wonderful waterfalls: A waterfall explodes into Hang Son Doong in the hidden depths of the Vietnamese jungle, which is part of a network of over 150 caves

And as shown in these amazing images taken by photographer Carsten Peter, there is even a jungle concealed deep inside the cave.

Carsten from Munich, Germany, took the images in 2010 when he joined British and German cavers during further expeditions of the site.

The purpose of the expedition was to make a complete exploration of Hang Son Doong and create a photographic record of the cave.

Cartsen, 52 said he spent up to two weeks at a time deep inside the caves, where he slept with just a sleeping bag and spent his time exploring and photographing the secret underground world.

He said: ‘We discovered new parts of the cave, it’s a huge area so to find them and access them is very difficult.

‘Photographing caves of this size is a challenge, it needs a lot of preparation.

‘But it’s a great feeling to photograph a newly discovered cave, for me I see the cave for the first time when I see the photographs.

‘I love to explore, I have been in some great caves in my lifetime and this is one of the most magnificent.

‘I’ve been a photographer and explorer for the last 35 years and I’ve visited so many caves, I’ve lost count.

‘But this is by far one of the most unique and unusual caves I have ever seen.

‘To see a cave so large it has a forest inside is superb – it was overwhelming.’

Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park and Caves

(Vietnam Tours) Long before Phong Nha-Ke Bang (also spelled Phong Nga-Ke Bang) National Park came into existence, the Champa people were using its caves for various purposes. The Champa were people of ancient Cambodia and Vietnam who ruled most of southern and central Vietnam from the seventh century through the mid-nineteenth century. Carving out inscriptions on steles and altars inside the caves, the Champa left their mark in the magnificent caves many years before modern Vietnamese and British scientists would begin to explore the caves. Later explorations discovered Neolithic axe heads in the area, showing that use of the caves date back even before the time of the Champa people.
There is no overstating the magnificence of the caves in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. The park was created to protect the world’s two largest karst, or limestone, regions. Inside the limestone topography are over 126 km of cave systems, with over 300 caves and grottos (grottos are caves that have been inhabited or used by humans). For anyone visiting Vietnam with the slightest interest in caves, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is a must-see destination.
Phong Nha Cave
The cave from which the park takes its name is Phong Nha cave, which is considered by many to be the best cave in the world. At 7,729 metres long, with 14 grottos and a 13,969 metre-long underground river, Phong Nha cave has been a site of mystery and wonderment for natives and visitors alike for centuries. With towering ceilings that can reach 40 metres above the water level and rock formations that excite the imagination, Phong Nha is open to tourists up to 1,500 metres.

Son Doong Cave

Son Doong cave isn’t new, but it is newly discovered. In 1991, a local man stumbled upon the cave for the first time in modern memory, but unfortunately he couldn’t remember how to get there until January 2008. The man assisted British scientists to find the cave mouth, and they have been exploring it ever since. Son Doong cave is currently the largest known cave in the world. Unfortunately, due to precarious conditions inside the cave, it is not yet open to tourists. In the future, hopefully visitors will be able to catch a glimpse of the enormous cave; the biggest chamber is over five kilometres long, 150 metres wide, and 200 metres high.

Tien Son Cave

While Phong Nha and Son Doong may be known for their size, Tien Son cave is known for its beauty. Created tens of millions of years ago, the stalactites and stalagmites inside Tien Son twist and turn into fairy-tale shapes. Tien Son is located right next to Phong Nha, making it easy for visitors to take a look at both caves.

Other Park Features

As if the spectacular caves at Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park weren’t enough, the park is also a great place for mountain climbing, hiking, and eco-tours of the surrounding Ke Bang Forest. With sharply sloping mountains reaching heights of over 1,000 metres, you don’t have to be a spelunker to find a challenging adventure at Phong Nha-Ke Bang.
There’s a little something for every visitor of every age at Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. For anyone who enjoys the outdoors and natural wonders, this park should make it onto your Vietnam itinerary.

Phong Nha Ke Bang Travel Guide

In 2000, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park was designated a Unesco World Heritage site.

Phong Nha Cave

Formed approximately 250million years ago, Phong Nha Cave is the largest and most beautiful cave in Vietnam. It is remarkable for thousands of metres of underground passageways and river caves filled with abundant stalactites and stalagmites. Its rock formations have evocative names such as Lion, Fairy Caves, Royal Court and Buddha.

Phong Nha means Cave of Teeth and was used by the Northern Vietnamese as a hospital and ammunition depot during the American war. In 1990, British scientists surveyed 35km of the cave and discovered the main cavern is nearly 8km long with 14 other caves nearby.

Boat is the only transportation means to explore Phong Nha Cave. Once you get further into the cave, it is mostly unspoiled.

The cave system is electrically lit but you can bring a torch for better exploration.

When to go?

The best time to visit Phong Nha Caves is the dry season, between February and April when the weather is cool and there is no flooding.

Travelers should check carefully the weather in this area during November and December before travel as during this period, the river is prone to flooding; the underground cave may be close. Though it's possible, but also may be dangerous to visit the dry cave.

UNESCO: Phong Nha, Ke Bang National Park

Phong Nha – Ke Bang is a national park in the center of Quang Binh province in north-central Vietnam. It is one of the world’s two largest limestone regions with several hundred caves and grottoes. Its name derives from Phong Nha cave, the most beautiful one, with numerous fascinating rock formations, and Ke Bang forest. The plateau is probably one of the finest and most distinctive examples of a complex limestone formation in Southeast Asia.

Phong Nha Cave: Near Hue, Vietnam
Photo by discopalace

Spanning over 200,000 ha of land, the park boasts beautiful limestone formations, grottoes and caves, with lush forestland covering 95 percent of the park area. Though nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998, the Park only received official status as a World Heritage Site at the UNESCO’s 27th general assembly session held in Paris in 2003. Phong Nha-Ke Bang, together with Ha Long Bay and Fanxipan of Vietnam, is also nominated for the 7 New Natural Wonders of the World, ranking 10th in the voting list then.
There is a never ending quest for discovery here in Phong Nha – Ke Bang and it is definitely the place to be for nature lovers and the adventure spirited. The park has around 300 caves and grottos in an area of approximately 80km long but so far only 20km of which has been covered by explorers.
• Phong Nha Cave was previously the largest in Vietnam (before Son Dong Cave was discovered) but no doubt the most beautiful still. It’s remarkable for its thousands of meters of underground passageways and river caves filled with plentiful stalactites and stalagmites. In November and December the river is prone to flooding and the underground cave may be closed. Phong Nha means Cave of Teeth, though the ‘teeth’ (or stalagmites) that were by the entrance are no longer there, the rest of the cave remains almost unspoiled
• Tien Son Cave is a dry cave in the mountainside just above Phong Nha Cave. You can walk to it from the entrance to Phong Nha Cave (1,000m) – look for the sign at the foot of the stairs. This cave was discovered in 1935 by locals and named the Fairy Cave due to its extraordinary beauty, later it was called Dry cave to distinguish it from Phong Nha cave which is the water cave. The Chams used the cave’s grottoes as Hindu sanctuaries in the 9th and 10th centuries and till today, the remains of their altars and inscriptions can still be seen. This cave was last used as a hospital and ammunition depot during the War and thus one of the key entry points to the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
• Heaven cave is the large and longer cave than Phong Nha cave. This is a dry cave with no underground river flowing through as Phong Nha cave.Heaven cave ground is soft and flat so it’s easy to visit and explore.
• Just recently, in April, 2009 a team of explorers found Son Dong Cave and much to their surprise it was far larger than the world’s largest cave then – Deer Cave, Malaysia. Son Dong is 5km long, 200m high, and 150m wide compared to the Deer Cave which is only 2km long, 100m high and 90m wide. However, more has to be found out about the cave before they can be opened up to tourists.

Vinh Moc Tunnels - Phong Nha Caves

Located on the northern side of the DMZ along the coast of the South China Sea, the villagers of Vinh Moc found themsselves tragically positioned in one of the most heavily bombed areas of North Vietnam. 

In order to escape this bombardment, the villagers constructed approximately 2.8 km of underground tunnels which they used as a refuge to survive the bombings.  The tunnels were built in three levels (12, 15 and 23 meters deep) and took thirteen months to complete.  Three hundred people lived intermittently in the tunnels during 1966 to 1971.  Sixty-two families made the tunnels their home and amazingly seventeen babies were born here and spent the first years of their lives underground.   

Besides the grotto and cave systems, Phong Nha has the longest underground rivers, the largest caverns and passageways, the widest and prettiest sand banks, and the most astonishing rock formations in the world. Phong Nha translates as " The wind's fang". Entering this cave is like venturing into the mouth of a giant beast. The main cave system contains 14 chambers, linked by an underwater river that runs for 1.5km. Secondary corridors branch off in all directions. The Outer Cave and some of the Inner Caves have roofs that tower between 25 and 40 meters above the water level.

British explorers discover the light at the end of the tunnel... in the world's largest cave

A British caving team believe they have discovered the world's largest cave passage in the heart of the Vietnamese jungle.
The rocky passage is 150metres long and measures a towering 200metres in height - seven times as high as the vaulted ceiling of York Cathedral.

Possibly the world's largest cave passage, Hang Son Doong was discovered in the heart of the Vietnamese jungle by a British caving team. At 150m long and 200m high, it is seven times as high as York Cathedral

Called Hang Son Doong (Mountain River Cave) it is believed to be almost twice the size of the current record holder.

'It is a truly amazing sized cave and one of the most significant discoveries by a British caving team,' said Adam Spillane, a member of the 13-man expedition team.
Using a laser measuring device known as the LaserRace 300, which measures height and width, the team are now back in the UK analysing their readings.

Originally discovered in 1991, the cave had not been entered since, due to the terrifying wind and noise from the large underground river

The cave was originally discovered in 1991 by a Vietnamese Jungle man called Ho Khanh. However Mr Spillane said no-one had entered if before because 'it emitted a frightful wind and noise which was due to a large underground river'.
But assisted by representatives of Hanoi University of Science, the joint British-Vietnamese Caving Expedition 2009 spent five days exploring the cave in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in mid-April.
The team spent six hours trekking through the jungle to reached the cave. Climbing down into a large chamber, they had to negotiate two underground rivers before reaching the main passage of the Hang Son Doong.

The team spent five days exploring the cave after trekking six hours through the jungle to find it. They had to negotiate two underground rivers before reaching the main passage

The team will return to Vietnam later in the year to complete the expedition of the cave and conduct a full survey.
'The cave is 6.5km long at present but the end of the main passage still continues with a calcite wall of over 45m high halting our progress,' Mr Spillane said.
'More work on the next expedition is required to make a complete exploration of Hang Son Doong and obtain a complete photographic record of the cave.  
'It is a great achievement in this day and age to discover and explore such a fantastic cave.'

The Hang Son Doong cave is believed to be almost twice the size of the current record holder. It has been hailed as 'amazing' and a 'significant discovery' by the expedition team

Sung Sot Cave, Halong Bay, Vietnam

Sung Sot Cave, which means Cave of Surprises, is the biggest and finest cave in Halong Bay. It actually got its name from the French, who called it grotte des surprises, or grotto of surprises. It is located on Bo Hon Island, near the centre of Halong Bay, within the vicinity of other sights such as Titov Island, Bo Nau Grotto, Me Cung Cave and Luun Grotto. There is a small pier where boats dock to allow visitors down. From the pier, a flight of 50 stone steps takes one to the entrance of the cave. The inside of Sung Sot Cave is simply cavernous. At many places the ceiling is low, and takes on a wavy appearance. A profusion of stalactites and stalagmites cover the walls.

To ensure the safety of visitors, a path is built to zigzag through Sung Sot Cave. Guide ropes help to keep visitors on the path Multi-coloured lights are also installed to beautify the cave and bring out its grandeur. Coming out of the cave, visitors get a panoramic view of Bo Hon Bay below. It is one of those iconic view of Halong Bay that has appeared in many postcards.

Phong Nga Ke Bang National Park and Caves

Long before Phong Nha-Ke Bang (also spelled Phong Nga-Ke Bang) National Park came into existence, the Champa people were using its caves for various purposes. The Champa were people of ancient Cambodia and Vietnam who ruled most of southern and central Vietnam from the seventh century through the mid-nineteenth century. Carving out inscriptions on steles and altars inside the caves, the Champa left their mark in the magnificent caves many years before modern Vietnamese and British scientists would begin to explore the caves. Later explorations discovered Neolithic axe heads in the area, showing that use of the caves date back even before the time of the Champa people.
There is no overstating the magnificence of the caves in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. The park was created to protect the world's two largest karst, or limestone, regions. Inside the limestone topography are over 126 km of cave systems, with over 300 caves and grottos (grottos are caves that have been inhabited or used by humans). For anyone visiting Vietnam with the slightest interest in caves, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is a must-see destination.

Phong Nha Cave

The cave from which the park takes its name is Phong Nha cave, which is considered by many to be the best cave in the world. At 7,729 metres long, with 14 grottos and a 13,969 metre-long underground river, Phong Nha cave has been a site of mystery and wonderment for natives and visitors alike for centuries. With towering ceilings that can reach 40 metres above the water level and rock formations that excite the imagination, Phong Nha is open to tourists up to 1,500 metres.

Son Doong Cave

Son Doong cave isn't new, but it is newly discovered. In 1991, a local man stumbled upon the cave for the first time in modern memory, but unfortunately he couldn't remember how to get there until January 2008. The man assisted British scientists to find the cave mouth, and they have been exploring it ever since. Son Doong cave is currently the largest known cave in the world. Unfortunately, due to precarious conditions inside the cave, it is not yet open to tourists. In the future, hopefully visitors will be able to catch a glimpse of the enormous cave; the biggest chamber is over five kilometres long, 150 metres wide, and 200 metres high.

Tien Son Cave

While Phong Nha and Son Doong may be known for their size, Tien Son cave is known for its beauty. Created tens of millions of years ago, the stalactites and stalagmites inside Tien Son twist and turn into fairy-tale shapes. Tien Son is located right next to Phong Nha, making it easy for visitors to take a look at both caves.

Other Park Features

As if the spectacular caves at Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park weren't enough, the park is also a great place for mountain climbing, hiking, and eco-tours of the surrounding Ke Bang Forest. With sharply sloping mountains reaching heights of over 1,000 metres, you don't have to be a spelunker to find a challenging adventure at Phong Nha-Ke Bang.
There's a little something for every visitor of every age at Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. For anyone who enjoys the outdoors and natural wonders, this park should make it onto your Vietnam itinerary.

In photos: Breathtaking Trang An Caves

Trang An Tourist Site in Northern Ninh Binh Province boasts breathtaking caves and lagoons which has been dubbed 'Halong Bay on Land'.

Some 90 kilometres south of Hanoi, the ancient capital Hoa Lu in Ninh Binh is home to many beautiful spots of great historical and ecological value. Among them, Trang An Cave Site and Bai Dinh Pagoda, which covers over 2,000 ha, the natural scenery of the land has been dubbed 'Halong Bay on Land', and has become a major tourist destination in recent years.
Following a trip around Trang An Caves, visitors can learn about Vietnam’s history through vestiges left from the royal Dinh Dynasty some 1,000 years ago, such as temples and palaces. There are also relics of an ancient civilization which date back from 5,000-30,000.
This site is also considered a significant ecological site. The whole area is surrounded by limestone grottoes, which scientists believe were submerged by water some 200 million years ago.
The UNESCO Delegation, on its 8th World Congress, paid a visit to the site on August 21. The visit of UNESCO Delegation was a chance for Ninh Binh Province to introduce and promote Trang An Ecological Tourist Site, before proposing that it be recognised as a new World Natural Heritage Site.

Bai Dinh Pagoda

Trang An Caves

Exploring the world’s largest cave in Vietnam

HANG SON DOONG, or “mountain river cave,” is 2.5 miles long with a max width of 300ft and a max height of 600ft, making it the largest cave passage in the world. Exploration of Hang Son Doong and the surrounding system began in 2009, and a year later National Geographic writer Mark Jenkins and photographer Carsten Peter accompanied the mapping team on its second visit. The story and photos of the expedition appear in the January issue of the National Geographic magazine, and Matador Trips was lucky enough to be granted permission to share some of the images here. Make sure to check out the full gallery.

Conquering an Infinite Cave

There’s a jungle inside Vietnam’s mammoth cavern. A skyscraper could fit too. And the end is out of sight.

“Past the hand of dog, watch out for dinosaurs,” says a voice in the dark.

I recognize Jonathan Sims’s clipped, British military accent but have no idea what he’s talking about. My headlamp finds him, gray muttonchops curling out from beneath his battered helmet, sitting alone in the blackness along the wall of the cave.
“Carry on mate,” growls Sims. “Just resting a buggered ankle.”
The two of us have roped across the thundering, subterranean Rao Thuong River and climbed up through 20-foot blades of limestone to a bank of sand. I continue alone, following the beam of my headlamp along year-old footprints.
In the spring of 2009, Sims was a member of the first expedition to enter Hang Son Doong, or “mountain river cave,” in a remote part of central Vietnam. Hidden in rugged Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park near the border with Laos, the cave is part of a network of 150 or so caves, many still not surveyed, in the Annamite Mountains. During the first expedition, the team explored two and a half miles of Hang Son Doong before a 200-foot wall of muddy calcite stopped them. They named it the Great Wall of Vietnam. Above it they could make out an open space and traces of light, but they had no idea what lay on the other side. A year later, they have returned—seven hard-core British cavers, a few scientists, and a crew of porters—to climb the wall, if they can, measure the passage, and push on, if possible, all the way to the end of the cave.
The trail disappears before me into a difficult pile of breakdown—building-size blocks of stone that have fallen from the ceiling and crashed onto the cave floor. I crane my head back, but the immensity of the cave douses my headlamp’s tiny light, as if I were staring up into a starless night sky. I’ve been told I’m inside a space large enough to park a 747, but I have no way to know; the darkness is like a sleeping bag pulled over my head. 

Phong Nha Cave

Phong Nha Cave is the largest and most beautiful cave in Vietnam and is Unesco’s World Heritage site. The cave is 7729 m long, contains 14 grottos, with a 13,969 m-long Underground River filled with abundant stalactites and stalagmites. The river has widest and prettiest sand banks, containing many fascinating rock formations of the world.

Five-star dining … in a Vietnam cave

Halong Bay, about 100 miles east of Hanoi, is in the running for inclusion in the global campaign  New7Wonders of Nature. What’s so special about Halong Bay? Not only does it have nearly 2,000 limestone islands, many of them are hollow, with massive caves. Several operators offer excursions on the bay, but Emeraude Classic Cruises says it offers something a little different: dinner.

Emeraude offers up a four-course dinner inside one of these caves during its annual Wine and Dine Cruise.
This year, the cruise departs May 14 and returns the next morning. The cruise’s $245-per-person price tag includes breakfast at Hanoi’s Press Club, champagne, a seafood buffet, and tapas and wine tasting before dinner in the cave.
“Halong Bay from the deck of the ship is an incredible sight,” said Kurt Walter, general manager of Emeraude. And “viewing it from the interior of Drum Cave is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Explore Limestone Caves and Marble Crafts at Marble Mountains in Danang, Vietnam

The Marble Mountains are a group of limestone formations about 10 kilometers away from the port city of Danang in Central Vietnam.  The area is filled with caves and marble crafts depicting mystical creatures and images of Buddha.  Paths leading up to the top of the forested hills offer scenic views of the city and its shoreline below.
There are five formations (mountains) in all, with each being named after the five elements.  They are Kim (metal), Thuy (water), Moc (wood), Hoa (fire) and Tho (earth).  Each of these mountains have cave entrances and numerous tunnels waiting to be explored.  There are also quite a few Buddhist sanctuaries and the sounds of bells and chimes set against the elevated terrain with the sea serving as a background is a captivating experience.
Thuy Mountain is the biggest of these formations and offers the most challenging climb. After completing this climb, you will be rewarded with some captivating views.  Thuy Mountain is also home to pagodas dating back to the 17th century.  Hundreds of steep and natural stone steps lead to the peak of the hill to Tam Quan Gate.  Right next to it is the 18th century Vong Giang Tower (Riverview Tower) where you can absorb the view of Mount Kim Son, Troung Giang and the Cam Le rivers and the surrounding coastline.
If you are feeling fit, you can continue up the path and be rewarded with more pagodas, caves and marvelous views.  One of these caves is Van Thong.  Inside the cavern is an ancient stele and a large Buddha image.  Behind the statue is a narrow pathway, called Road to Heaven that leads up to the peak of Thuy Mountain.  You will need to reserve some strength and energy for this because you will need to rock climb in order to move up.  At the end of this climb is a hole that leads to a breathtaking panoramic view of the area.  After absorbing the view, you can head down and visit numerous pagodas, with some hosting fine Buddha statues and other carvings.