France's news agency AFP on January 20 published an article on how tourism has been developed in and benefited local community around Vietnam’s Son Doong, which has been dubbed the world’s largest cave.
Hanoi (VNA) – France's news agency AFP on January 20published an article on how tourism has been developed in and benefited localcommunity around Vietnam’s Son Doong, which has been dubbed the world’s largestcave.
According to the article, located in the central province ofQuang Binh’s Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park – the World Heritage site, SonDoong was first discovered by local forager Ho Khanh in 1991, when he stumbledupon an opening in a limestone cliff and heard the sounds of a river deepinside. But after returning home through the thick surrounding jungle, Khanhforgot where the hidden entrance lay, and it stayed lost for another twodecades. When he eventually led a team of British experts back there in 2009,the team found it had the largest cross-section of any cave anywhere on theplanet.
It is large enough to house the 40-floor skyscrapers of anentire New York City block, according to adventure tour company Oxalis, whichguides visitors into the caves.
When Son Doong was opened to tourists four years later, thelives of hundreds of locals changed forever, it said, adding that they soonbecame porters and guides and opened their homes to guests wanting a bed forthe night.
With only one company given permission to operate in each ofthe key caves, there is an incentive to protect them, with numbers of visitorslimited and prices kept high.
The article said as the COVID-19 swept the globe, localscatering to international travellers have struggled. But Son Doong hasweathered the crisis fairly well overall, thanks to a boost in visitors amongVietnam's fast-growing middle class.
The high-end tourism model of the caves – which providesaround 500 jobs for the local community – has begun to attract interest inother areas, it quoted Oxalis as saying./.
Son Doong Cave has recently made into the list of the 10 best virtual tours of the world’s natural wonders, published by The Guardian – a UK-based renowned newspaper.
Exploration tours of Son Doong, the world's largest cave, located in the central province of Quang Binh, have reopened after being closed for two months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Son Doong, the world’s largest cave located in Vietnam's central province of Quang Binh has been named among 20 record-breaking natural wonders by the US’s Insider newswire.
Son Doong Cave in the central province of Quang Binh has been named among 10 of the best virtual tours of the world's natural wonders by British newspaper The Guardian.
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.
Inside the Son Doong (Source: Oxalis Adventures) 
