Vietnam among 8 most thrilling zip line destinations in Asia

Vietnam's Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park has been named among the eight most thrilling zip line destinations in Asia with "the natural wonder and zip line combination" by South China Morning Post.

"Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is renowned for its unique geological formations, diverse array of wildlife and Son Doong, the largest cave in the world," the Hong Kong-based daily wrote.

"But for adrenaline junkies, Hang Toi, aka Dark Cave, is the hole to head for. At 400 metres, Vietnam’s longest zip line transports visitors above the turquoise Chay River to the entrance of the cave," it added.

According to SCMP, the interior of the cavern is unlit and the rocky walls are dark grey and black, hence the name. It’s a short swim to get inside, followed by a guided walk (helmet with a headlamp provided), a mud bath and a kayak ride back to the starting point.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh province, 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.

Phong Nha is home to Son Doong, the biggest natural cave on the planet, as well as the third largest Hang En. The Blue Diamond camping site is near the historical Khe Gat field military airport, now part of the Ho Chi Minh trail.

The other zip lines in the list are: Macau, Cambodia, Nepal, Japan, the Philippines, Laos and Singapore.

Last December, Quang Binh authorities had allowed the pilot exploitation of tourism product "Discovering Hung Thoong" in the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in 12 months. Accordingly, the provincial People's Committee agreed to allow the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park management board to coordinate with eligible units as prescribed to exploit this new tourism product.

Quang Binh authorities last November had licensed Oxalis Company Limited to organize on a pilot basis the "Experience life in flood season" tour in Minh Hoa district’s Tan Hoa commune.

Previously, the province had launched its first ever campsite in the buffer zone of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.