Son Doong cave among top 7 most beautiful underground attractions
The South China Morning Post (SCMP) of Hong Kong (China) has recently honoured Son Doong cave in Vietnam's central province of Quang Binh as one of the seven most beautiful underground attractions in the world.
A scene of Son Doong Cave in Quang Binh province (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - The South China Morning Post (SCMP) of Hong Kong (China) has recently honoured Son Doong cave in Vietnam's central province of Quang Binh as one of the seven most beautiful underground attractions in the world.
The SCMPs article looks back at the journey to discover the world's largest cave of a local farmer named Ho Khanh.
During a jungle expedition in 1991, Khanh stumbled upon the cave entrance. However, the sound of rushing water and strong gusts of wind deterred him from venturing further inside. On subsequent attempts, he was unable to remember the location of the "mysterious" cave.
In 2007, Khanh joined a royal expedition team of the UK in their search of new caves in Phong Nha – Ke Bang, and he guided them to search for the cave but they could not find it. In 2008, Khanh finally found the cave entrance and contacted the UK expedition team. Upon measurement, explorers confirmed that the cave was 5km long.
In addition to its underground river systems, thriving jungle ecosystem, 400-million-year-old fossils, and spectacular geological formations, Son Doong cave is home to several species of plants and animals that exist nowhere else on earth.
In 2018, a team of UK cave experts discovered that Son Doong cave is at least 30% larger and much deeper than previously reported.
💟 In addition to Vietnam's Son Doong cave, the list of the seven most beautiful underground attractions in the world includes Tham Luang cave (Thailand), the Paris Catacombs (France), the Cold War Tunnel (Albania), the Reed Flute Cave (China), Malinta Tunnel (the Philippines), and the National Coal Mining Museum of the UK./.
Son Doong Cave in the central province of Quang Binh has been ranked sixth among the 10 most beautiful caves in the world by British travel magazine Time Out. With 38.5 million cubic metres of space, the 9-kilometre-long cave is the world’s largest natural cave.
Oxalis, the only firm operating expedition adventure tour to Son Doong – the world’s largest natural cave on December 23 announced that the tour is fully booked for the whole of 2024.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
Hanoi has directed lodging providers and tourist destinations to bolster preparations in staffing, service quality, security, and sanitation. Community-based lodging platforms such as Airbnb are also being promoted strongly to expand housing supply during the holiday period.
