Son Doong Cave among 10 places in the world still not fully explored

By Trang Nguyen
Thu, January 12, 2023 | 9:12 pm GMT+7

The world-famous Son Doong Cave in central Vietnam has been ranked fourth out of the world's 10 places still not fully explored by Canadian travel site The Travel.

"This enormous underground cave system holds a network of immense caverns and chambers, many of which have yet to be fully explored," the travel site said.

"With its winding passages and eerie underground lake, this cave is a thrilling prospect for explorers," it added.

The Vietnam Wall is the name of the tallest stalactite wall located at the end of Son Doong. Photo courtesy of Oxalis.

The Vietnam Wall is the name of the tallest stalactite wall located at the end of Son Doong. Photo courtesy of Oxalis.

According to The Travel, Son Doong Cave is home to various species of bats and even some tiny fish colonies. These creatures have adapted to the cave's unique environment and can offer scientists invaluable insight into the evolution of species. Moreover, the cave is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when nature and time work together.

An expedition to the cave costs around $3,000 for four days on a tour exclusively operated by Oxalis Adventure.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh province, home to Son Doong, was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2003. It features great geological diversity and offers spectacular phenomena while harboring a high level of biodiversity and many endemic species.

Expert geologists estimate Son Doong was formed sometime between two to five million years ago, before local farmer Ho Khanh inadvertently stumbled upon its enormous entrance in 1990.

It remained untouched until 2008 when Ho Khanh retraced his steps to its misty opening, and until 2009 alongside Howard and Deb Limbert of the British Cave Research Association. The intrepid speleologists conducted Son Doong’s first official survey and concluded that it was the largest natural cave on the planet.

Son Doong Cave could fit a 40-story New York skyscraper inside. Photo courtesy of Oxalis.

Son Doong Cave could fit a 40-story New York skyscraper inside. Photo courtesy of Oxalis.

The other places named on the list in order are: The Aleutian Islands, Antarctica, the Atacama Desert, the Congo Basin, Kaieteur Falls, the Namib Desert, the Mariana Trench, the Sahara Desert and the Amazon Rainforest.

Early this month, Son Doong was ranked 10th out of the world's 10 most incredible caves by the travel site.

"Popular for being one of the largest caves in the world, Son Doong Cave in Vietnam is one of a kind. Translating to “River Mountain Cave”, it is believed that the cave has been formed by Rao Thuong River erosion into the base of a limestone mountain, Truong Son. Hence, a large tunnel was formed underneath," The Travel wrote.

Being 200m high and 175m wide as well as 9.4km in length, the cave could fit a 40-story New York skyscraper inside.

"The most fascinating elements are a thick forest that's been growing in the cave for years, as well as towering stalagmites, phytokarst, cave pearls, and roof collapses. Also, It requires two days of intense jungle trekking and river crossings to reach the entrance of Son Doong Cave," it noted.

In April, 2022, Google Doodle honored the world's largest cave Son Doong.

Inside the cave’s undisturbed inner chambers, scientists discovered a wealth of record-breaking geological formations, including the world’s largest limestone pearls and tallest stalagmite, said Google Doodle.

Giant sinkholes situated further into the cave’s depths allow for sunlight and rain to nourish two pristine jungle ecosystems, which are home to flying foxes, the world’s only monkeys to live underground, and eyeless white fish, Google Doodle added. One of these thriving rainforests is so vast, it even has its own localized weather system.

Comments (0)
  • Read More
Deal acquiring financial firm of Vietnam's SeABank invalid: Aeon Financial

Deal acquiring financial firm of Vietnam's SeABank invalid: Aeon Financial

Aeon Financial Service Co., Ltd. on Friday stated that its deal to purchase a financial company owned by Vietnam's SeABank is invalid due to "inappropriate accounting transactions."

Finance - Fri, June 6, 2025 | 11:57 pm GMT+7

VSAP LAB to build $69 mln chip packaging tech laboratory in central Vietnam

VSAP LAB to build $69 mln chip packaging tech laboratory in central Vietnam

Vietnamese private firm VSAP LAB JSC has been approved as the investor of a VND1.8 trillion ($69.11 million) advanced packaging technology laboratory project that will assist semiconductor production in the central city of Danang.

Industries - Fri, June 6, 2025 | 8:11 pm GMT+7

Vietnam's major property developer Hoang Huy successfully raises $30.7 mln from parent company

Vietnam's major property developer Hoang Huy successfully raises $30.7 mln from parent company

Hoang Huy Investment Services JSC (HoSE: HHS) has successfully issued 64 million shares for VND800 billion ($30.7 million) via private placement to its parent company – Hoang Huy Financial Services Investment JSC (TCH).

Companies - Fri, June 6, 2025 | 3:32 pm GMT+7

Subsidiaries, affiliates likely not to enjoy preferential corporate income tax in Vietnam

Subsidiaries, affiliates likely not to enjoy preferential corporate income tax in Vietnam

Subsidiaries and affiliates of enterprises in Vietnam might not be eligible for preferential corporate income tax (CIT) rates of 15-17%, in order to prevent abuse of incentives like splitting income for tax avoidance, according to the Financial and Economic Committee under the National Assembly, the country's legislature.

Finance - Fri, June 6, 2025 | 3:22 pm GMT+7

VPS Securities JSC named Vietnam’s best broker again by The Asset

VPS Securities JSC named Vietnam’s best broker again by The Asset

VPS Securities JSC (VPS) has once again been honored as the “Best Brokerage House in Vietnam” at the Triple A Awards 2025, presented by The Asset, a leading Asia-focused financial publication.

Companies - Fri, June 6, 2025 | 11:40 am GMT+7

Vietnam's agri major BAF eyes two 6-story buildings for pig farming in southern Vietnam

Vietnam's agri major BAF eyes two 6-story buildings for pig farming in southern Vietnam

BAF Vietnam Agriculture JSC has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to develop a smart pig farming complex including two six-story buildings in the southern provinces of Tay Ninh and Binh Phuoc.

Industries - Fri, June 6, 2025 | 11:20 am GMT+7

Food major Kido leaders reveal real estate ambitions

Food major Kido leaders reveal real estate ambitions

Leaders of Kido Group, a leading Vietnamese food and cooking oil producer, said they see many positive policies that are helping to ease real estate market difficulties and create favorable conditions for the company to develop projects on its land reserves.

Real Estate - Fri, June 6, 2025 | 11:03 am GMT+7

Indonesia accelerates procedures to join OECD

Indonesia accelerates procedures to join OECD

The Indonesian Government has finalised the preparation of the Initial Memorandum (IM) for its accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which will be submitted to OECD Secretary-General Matthias Cormann in Paris, France.

Southeast Asia - Fri, June 6, 2025 | 10:16 am GMT+7

OECD lowers Indonesia's growth forecast to 4.7%

OECD lowers Indonesia's growth forecast to 4.7%

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has lowered its forecast for Indonesia's economic growth down to 4.7% this year, from the previous 4.9%, due to weakened domestic sentiment and heightened external risks.

Southeast Asia - Fri, June 6, 2025 | 10:15 am GMT+7

Vietnam, US sign additional agricultural trade deals worth over $600 mln

Vietnam, US sign additional agricultural trade deals worth over $600 mln

Vietnam and the U.S. on Wednesday signed MoUs on importing animal feed materials from Ohio state with total value exceeding $600 million.

Economy - Fri, June 6, 2025 | 10:03 am GMT+7

My Thuy deepwater port to become central Vietnam logistics hub

My Thuy deepwater port to become central Vietnam logistics hub

My Thuy Deepwater Port, once operational, will not only create a new growth pole for the central province of Quang Tri and serve as a gateway to the East Sea, but also become a regional logistics hub.

Infrastructure - Fri, June 6, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7

Vietnam's 5-month registered FDI hits $18.4 bln, up 51%

Vietnam's 5-month registered FDI hits $18.4 bln, up 51%

Registered foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam hit $18.4 billion in the first five months of the year, up 51.1%, while disbursed capital reached $8.9 billion, up 7.9%.

Economy - Thu, June 5, 2025 | 6:52 pm GMT+7

Indonesia launches economic stimulus package to boost purchasing power

Indonesia launches economic stimulus package to boost purchasing power

The Indonesian Government has rolled out an economic stimulus package worth IDR24.44 trillion (nearly $1.53 billion) to maintain consumer purchasing power and stabilize the national economy.

Southeast Asia - Thu, June 5, 2025 | 4:06 pm GMT+7

Vinhomes subsidiary to develop two industrial parks worth $383 mln in northern Vietnam

Vinhomes subsidiary to develop two industrial parks worth $383 mln in northern Vietnam

Vinhomes Hai Phong Industrial Park Investment JSC under Vinhomes, the housing arm of Vietnam’s conglomerate Vingroup (HoSE: VIC), is expected to be the investor of two industrial parks worth VND10 trillion ($383 million) in the northern port city of Hai Phong.

Real Estate - Thu, June 5, 2025 | 3:54 pm GMT+7

Agriculture drives Indonesia’s economic growth

Agriculture drives Indonesia’s economic growth

Agriculture is emerging as a key driver of Indonesia’s economic growth, especially in the first quarter of 2025, according to the latest report by the Indonesian Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF).

Southeast Asia - Thu, June 5, 2025 | 3:46 pm GMT+7

Vietnam's logistics heavyweight Gemadept plans over $38 mln buyback if shares plunge

Vietnam's logistics heavyweight Gemadept plans over $38 mln buyback if shares plunge

Gemadept, Vietnam's leading port and logistics company, listed on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange as GMD, plans to buy back 21 million shares, equivalent to 5% of its outstanding shares.

Companies - Thu, June 5, 2025 | 3:32 pm GMT+7