Vietnamese scientists discover new snail species in world’s largest cave
Vietnamese scientists have discovered a new snail species in Son Doong Cave within the Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park in the central province of Quang Binh, and named it “Oc non Son Doong” (Son Doong cone snail).
Vietnamese scientists have discovered a new snail species in Son Doong Cave (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese scientists have discovered a new snail species in Son D෴oong C𒉰ave within the Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park in the central province of Quang Binh, and named it “Oc non Son Doong” (Son Doong cone snail).
This land snail species, scientifically called Calybium plicatus sp. nov., belongs to the Calybium genus, the Helicinidae family, the Cycloneritida order, and the Gastropoda class, within the Animalia kingdom.
It was found during a state-level project to research biodiversity in the Son Doong Cave system for conservation and sustainable development implemented by the Vietnam Museum of Nature under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology.
Associate Professor Dr. Vu Van Lien, Deputy General Director of museum and the project leader, said that Calybium plicatus sp. nov. has a shell resembling that of Calybium massiei Morlet, 1892, but it is smaller in size and has six evenly spaced top plates on the apex. This discovery marks the first recorded species of land gastropods in Vietnam.
“Oc non Son Doong” (Son Doong cone snail) is first recorded species of land gastropods in Vietnam (Photo: VNA)
The research results on the new species have been published in the Ruthenica Journal, Volume 35, Issue 1 (2025), enhancing the scientific value and international attention on the unique ecosystem of the Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, said Dr. Lien.
Pham Hong Thai, Director of the park's Management Board, praised the research, noting that it provides crucial scientific contributions that will help the park manage and protect Son Doong Cave and surrounding caves sustainably. The project has also created a comprehensive biodiversity database for the Son Doong cave system and surrounding areas, reinforcing the park's global significance not only in geological and scenic terms but also in biodiversity and unique aesthetic values, he added.
Son Doong Cave, located in the Phong Nha - Ke Bang forest in Quang Binh, was first discovered by a local resident in 1990. In 2009, it was explored and confirmed by the British Cave Research Association as the largest cave in the world. Since its discovery, Son Doong has captivated the world with its enormous size and unique cave formations that are unmatched anywhere.
The Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park currently records 2,954 species of higher plants, belonging to 1,007 genera, 198 families, 63 orders, 12 classes, and six phyla, including 111 species in Vietnam's Red Data Book of Threatened Species, and 121 in International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. It also records 1,399 animal species from 835 genera, 289 families, 66 orders, 12 classes, and four phyla, including 82 species in Vietnam's Red Data Book and 116 in the IUCN Red List./.
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.
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 course aims to promote knowledge exchange between scientific and educational schools from different countries, while deepening participants’ expertise in modern technology and technical education. It comprises two main specialisations of electronics-automation and nuclear technology.
ANTARA and VNA can design global-scale cooperation programmes or joint media campaigns, demonstrating the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as the cooperation between the two national news agencies.
As Vietnam’s digital transformation accelerates, both the frequency and severity of cyberattacks are growing. The National Cybersecurity Association (NCA) reported that in 2024 alone, there were some 659,000 separate cybersecurity incidents, impacting around 46.15% of government agencies and businesses.
A key highlight will be the technology cluster pavilion, showcasing top enterprises selected for their innovation, market potential, and practical applications. These firms will display flagship products and solutions, supported by government policies to strengthen the tech sector.
Since 2022, more than 500 Vietnamese startups have engaged in Google’s Startup Academy, Google for Startups Accelerator, and Google Startup Masterclass. Nearly 100 of these firms received support to develop and improve their products, benefiting more than 300,000 customers and creating over 300 new jobs through successful fundraising and team expansion amidst Vietnam’s competitive economy.
Over the past three decades, Binh Duong has cemented its status as one of Vietnam’s most dynamic industrial hubs, building a robust foundation in manufacturing, exports, and investment. The province now has 30 operational industrial parks spanning over 13,000 hectares, with an occupancy rate exceeding 90%.
The diplomat emphasised that Vietnam places the highest priority on the development of science, technology, and innovation, viewing them as critical drivers for the country’s advancement in the new development era.
The PM revealed Vietnam’s plan to develop nuclear power in the near future, and called on the Swedish side to assist Vietnam in developing and refining legal and policy frameworks for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; training and developing human resources; ensuring nuclear safety; and conducting training and drills to improve incident management capabilities.
More than an art showcase, the second “Technology with heart” contest seeks to inspire innovation and spotlight the humanistic values that technology can bring into daily life, expected to contribute to a sustainable digital future.
The average speed of the national mobile broadband network remained stable, with download speeds reaching 76.86 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 26.98 Mbps.
Under the MoU, AMD will support several key initiatives spearheaded by HCM City’s authorities, including piloting policies, co-hosting innovation events, and evaluating the investment environment within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.
The centre is a joint initiative between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, with PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) serving as co-leads, and global telecommunications giant Nokia as founding industry partner.
The new centre, staffed by a team of scientists, researchers, and AI specialists working in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, forms part of Qualcomm’s global AI research group.
As a flagship initiative of the community project “Digital Literacy for All”, the programme forms part of a national scheme to equip 20 million young people with digital business skills.
The organisers hope the competition will help shape a generation of exceptional engineers who will make significant contributions to Vietnam’s scientific and technological progress in this era of transformation.
In the digital age and amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, IP plays an increasingly critical role, not only in safeguarding inventions but also in reducing copyright infringement and curbing piracy.
Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu laid stress on the significance of the Hanoi Convention, particularly to the Asia – Pacific, to handling legal gaps in international cooperation against rapidly increasing global cybercrime.
The week features a rich lineup of activities, including a plenary conference on blockchain and AI development, thematic seminars on future technology trends and investment visions, applications of blockchain and AI in business, the Super Vietnam PitchFest, as well as forums for blockchain and AI.
