Phong Nha cave

Phong Nha cave (Quang Binh) is hidden in the karst limestone mountain area of Ke Bang which covered by primitive forests in Son Trach commune, Bo Trach district, Quang Binh province, 50km northwest of Dong Hoi city. The cave is evaluated as a beautiful cave with magnificent and magical stalactite. After many scientific observations of the Vietnamese, French, English…people, Phong Nha still hides many mysteries.

son-doong-cave

In the system of caves of the Ke Bang limestone mountains area, the Phong Nha cave was the earliest known, first appeared in the book of Dai Nam unification, followed by carvings on the Nine Tripod Cauldrons of Nguyen Dynasty in the capital of the Nguyen Lords in Hue.

At the end of the 19th century, the French came to explore Phong Nha cave, traveling deep into the cave about 600 meters by canoe, they saw an altar and the ancient Cham carved on the cliff.

From 1990 to 1997, the Royal British Geological Survey with experienced explorers and the support of specialized facilities in cooperation with famous geological scientists in Vietnam explored Phong Nha Cave and many other caves in the area. They recorded in the diary: "We are really amazed at the magnificence and variety of stalactites here." This time, there are many articles about Phong Nha cave were published, introduced in the famous magazines.

The Phong Nha cave is also known as the water cave. There are many branches with the length up to over 20 km, but one has only discovered the longest branch is a part of the underground Nam Aki River.

Exploring the Phong Nha cave begins with a small boat, gliding on the green Son River, winding through the majestic mountains, sometimes you can see the fishing boats or a peaceful corner of the village hidden behind the bamboo or straight corn fields...

After a moment to enjoy the beautiful scene around, the Phong Nha cave gradually appeares in front of your eyes with the shape like a bowl overturning on the calm water. From far distance, it seems so small, but when approaching, the door is 20m wide and 10m high.

The boat slowly drift into the mountain, the light becomes faded and then completely off, you can only hear the sound of the rowing oar, the sound of the water drops from the ceiling of the small cave to the river, echoing in the clear space. The stone columns of varied shapes are gradually appeared. Soon, the spot light shimmer from the decorative lights will help you see the surrounding clearly.

The main part of Phong Nha Cave consists of 14 chambers, connected by a water corridor up to 1500m long. The outer caves have a ceiling height of about 10m above the water surface. From the fourth cave onwards, the cave ceilings rise from 25-50m. In addition, after the 14th cave, there are other corridors leading to the larger caves inside, but it may have risk if going deeper due to the weathering of limestone is still going, so the tour usually refers to the cave 14th and then diverted.

The boat runs about 800m deeper then stops at Bi Ky Cave for guests to visit close up Phong Nha. Stalactites from the top, the stalagmites from the bottom exuding as forest trees, corridors covered with stalactites with the unique shapes that human imagination attributed to them many myths.

Leaving Bi Ky Cave, the boat goes to Tien Cave and Cung Dinh Cave. You will feel like you are lost in the palatial palace, with all the stalactites that look like miracles as a multidimensional artistic maneuver of the Creation.

On the 4th day in itinerary of Ho Chi Minh trail motorbike tours, rider could expand 1 or 2 more day to visit this stunning caves system. We bet it will be one of the most unforgetable memory in your Vietnam motorcycle tour.

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