Son Doong caves, among the world’s most impressive caves

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Son Doong caves, among the world’s most impressive caves

Posted By: 1/16/2014 09:42:00 AM

The American Business Insider Magazine has recognised Vietnam’s Son Doong cave system as one of the world’s 12 most impressive.

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Sơn Đoòng cave (hang Sơn Đoòng, "Mountain River cave" in Vietnamese) is a cave in Phong Nha – Kẻ Bàng National Park, Bố Trạch District, Quảng Bình Province, Vietnam. As of 2009 it is the biggest known cave in the world, and is located near the Laos -  Vietnam border (17°27'25.88"N 106°17'15.36"E). Inside is a large, fast-flowing underground river.

Sơn Đoòng Cave was found by a local man named Hồ-Khanh in 1991. The local men were afraid of the cave for the whistling sound caused by an underground river. It was not until 2009 that it became public knowledge, after a group of scientists from the British Cave Research Associationg led by Howard and Deb Limbert, conducted a survey in Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng from 10 to 14 April, 2009. Their progress was stopped by a large calcite wall.

According to the magazine, Son Doong cave is actually the longest natural cave system thus far known. Underground rivers eroding limestone deposits formed the cave approximately 2 to 5 million years ago.

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It stretches about five kilometers in length, and opens out as high as 200 metres  and as wide as 150 meters.The cave starts to welcome international visitors in 2014.

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The magazine also honoured Thailand’s Phraya Nakon and Morakot caves, New Zealand’s Waitomo Glowworm cave, Mexico’s Crystal Caves, Italy’s Blue Grotto, Scotland’s Fingal cave, France’s Lascaux, Russia’s Orda cave, Austria’s Eisriesenwelt, and China’s Reed Flute.

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And  Son Doong Caves Travel Video