Son Doong Cave – The World’s Largest Cave in Vietnam
Son Doong Cave (Hang Son Doong), located in the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, is the world’s largest known natural cave. Discovered in 1991, it is a breathtaking marvel of nature, offering a unique and awe-inspiring experience for visitors. Let’s explore this cave with Lua Viet Tours!
The vast space inside Son Doong Cave. (Image Source: Internet)
The Discovery of Son Doong Cave
You might have heard on the news about the epic limestones and a glimpse of the prehistoric sight of Son Doong Cave – the largest cave in the world that has yet to be fully discovered. It is located in Quang Binh Province, which is also home to a UNESCO-recognized wonder such as Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park in Vietnam.
Not until 1990 that a local farmer named Ho Khanh first discovered this captivating shelter during a thunderstorm. Later on, his report reached the British Caving Research Association (BCRA) and led to an 18-year discovery after the exact location was nowhere to be found regarding Ho Khanh returnings. By 2010, people contended that Hang Son Doong was the largest ever discovered cave in terms of the size of its cross-section, which spread headlines over the entire world over its appearance.
Son Doong Cave was officially discovered in 2010. (Image Source: Internet)
It reaches 200 meters in height, with a volume of 38.5 million m3. The Cave Expedition team with the National Geographic magazine announced that Son Doong was the largest natural limestone on the planet in 2009. 5 years later, the Guinness World Records Organization recorded it as the world’s largest natural cave.
Son Doong Cave has a magnificent ecosystem and natural landscapes which are recognized by scientists and biologists around the world. With its large scale volume, the cave has yet to be fully explored, thus many are still drawn to its dynamic source of life forms. There are wide sections that can accommodate skyscrapers or a Boeing to fly through besides streams, waterfalls, and primeval forests.
The magnificent landscapes inside Son Doong Cave leave any visitors speechless. (Image Source: Internet)
5 Hidden Wonders in Son Doong Cave
Since its discovery in 2009, Son Doong Cave has maintained its position as the most magnificent, largest and most mysterious cave in the world. Here, you can find natural wonders seen for the first time in the world.
Giant Son Doong Cave
Son Doong Quang Binh is the largest natural cave in the world with a height of 200m, enough to fit a 40-storey building or dozens of the largest Boeings.
Just setting foot in the cave, each cold wind blowing in the cave will dispel the fatigue of the arduous journey of “crossing forests and wading streams” that you have experienced. Not only will you be amazed by the vast space of the cave, you will also feel extremely excited by the magical mystery hidden behind the thick, magical fog.
Admire the majesty of the world’s largest cave. (Image Source: Internet)
The Garden of Eden in the ground
Not only famous for its giant size, the scenery inside Son Doong Cave also creates an extremely majestic scene with mountains, rivers and a forest with an extremely unique and diverse ecosystem.
Son Doong Cave is home to many different species of flora and fauna, created by the underground river flowing rapidly deep underground and illuminated by sunlight from a collapsed part of the cave.
The epic ecosystem has made the giant cave an exclusive wonder to visit. (Image Source: Internet)
“Great Wall” of Vietnam
Right in front of the cave entrance is a 90m high stone wall, named “Vietnam Wall” by explorers. This is one of the most difficult challenges in the Son Doong cave expedition. You will have to conquer this wall with ladders, ropes and the help of technicians.
This place is known as the “Great Wall of Vietnam. (Image Source: Internet)
The Giant Stalactite System
Son Doong Cave attracts you by the diversity of geology in the special terrain of underground rivers and large caves. If the stalactites in Phong Nha Cave are magnificent, then in Son Doong, the stalactite system is like majestic giants with stalagmite columns up to 70m high (even higher than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France) and has many shapes that were created millions of years ago.
High stalagmites inside the Son Doong Cave. (Image Source: Internet)
The World’s Largest Cave Pearls
In addition, people have also discovered the world’s largest cave “pearls” (jade covering a type of pearl-like seed under the sea, mainly composed of calcite) in Son Doong. Normally, these “pearls” are only about 1cm in diameter, but in Son Doong, they are as big as baseballs.
There are different shapes and sizes of cave pearls inside Son Doong Cave. (Image Source: Internet)
Top Things to Do in Son Doong Cave
Not only witnessing the majestic architecture and vast space of Son Doong Cave, visitors can also experience many unique activities inside the cave. Below are the top 3 things you can do inside Hang Son Doong:
Swimming in The Cave
With many underground rivers and lakes, swimming in Son Doong Cave is both a must and an opportunity for you to record interesting experiences. The water in the cave flows continuously so it is very clean and cool, however, some areas have quite strong currents so you must follow the tour guide’s rules.
Swimming in the clear and cool water in Son Doong Cave is an interesting experience. (Image Source: Internet)
Hunting for Photos of Sunlight and Clouds
Photos of sunlight and fog have created a “brand” for Son Doong Cave. If you want to see and capture this beautiful image, you should come here in the spring because at this time the sunlight shines obliquely through the cave’s sinkhole. The fog covering the cave also helps the scene become more magical and beautiful.
Sunlight creates a beautiful picture in Son Doong Cave. (Image Source: Internet)
Unique Campsites
The two campsites in Son Doong Cave in Quang Binh are definitely some of the most beautiful and unique campsites in the world. Both are located on the edge of sinkholes, so you can see the starry sky on clear nights.
Specific campsites inside the cave are designed to let natural light in, where you can see sunbeams light up the cave. (Image Source: Internet)
Best Time to Visit Son Doong Cave
A Son Doong Cave trip can be taken at any time between January and August.
- January – March: The temperature is slightly chilly but not foggy, allowing you to fully appreciate the grandeur of the world’s largest cave while taking clear images.
- April – May: As the seasons change, the sun is less harsh and there are fewer downpours. You can hike without worrying about the weather.
- June to August: Son Doong experiences substantially higher temperatures. Despite the heat, wading in the cave’s chilly streams is even more invigorating.
Son Doong Cave, a natural wonder, is a must-see destination for both adventurers and nature lovers. With its towering limestone structures, underground river, and lush flora, offers a genuinely breathtaking experience.
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