The world of grottos and fanciful stalactites

From Xuan Son ferry, tourists can take a motor-boat and transfer along the Son River to reach the eastern estuary (about 4km). Row in about 700 meters, you will reach Bi Ki grotto, Tien grotto and Cung Dinh grotto, etc. with innumerable fanciful stalactites which can surprised even the most fastidious visitors.

Lying next to Phong Nha Cave (which is also referred to as the Wet Grotto) is the Tien Son Cave (which is also called the Dry Grotto) situated at 200 meters high with the length of 980 meters – a masterpiece of the nature.

Phong Nha is one among the 20 grottos which have already been found in the region. There are 17 grottos in Phong Nha and 3 grottos in Ke Bang which comprise a total length of 70 kilometers. It is estimated that the region occupies about 1000 caves and grottos which are formed by the rivers of Trooc, Chay, Son, Rao Thuong, etc. People have found 300 out of these 1000 caves and grottos in this complex.

Among these grottos and caves, Phong Nha, Ruc Mon, Ruc Ca Roong, En, Thung, Dai Cao, Cha Ang, Khe Ry, Ho, Maze, Vom (Vom cave is 13.690 meters long), etc. are the most well-known ones. These caves and grottos lie within the largest desert and limestone area of Vietnam with the highest average rainfall and was formed about 250 million years ago. Through millions of years, the rainfall which contains much dioxit carbon has flown into the Limestone Mountains and formed numerous of grottos and caves as we can see nowadays. Many forms of fossils continue to develop there including more than 10 forms which have come into existence 355 million years ago. Among the 12 forms of fossils which are being researched, Phong Nha takes up two new forms and several new species to be found in Vietnam for the first time called Vietnamostroma Hungetmistiaen.

Vietnam’s leading National Park

With the total area of 85.700 hectares of tropical primitive forest on limestone mountains, Phong Nha – Ke Bang is Vietnam’s leading National Park with regards to ecological diversity. According to statistic, there are 140 families, 427 branches, 751 species of tracheophyta, 36 species among which are under the risk of distinction from Vietnam’s Red Book. There are 32 sets, 98 families, 256 kinds, 381 species of vertebrate on land; 66 species among which have been recorded in Vietnam’s Red Book, 23 species are listed in world protection list. Besides, there are 64 species of freshwater fishes and 279 species of birds. In short, Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park is home to a wide variety of rare and precious species of flora and fauna.

The seven Guinness Records of Phong Nha

Mr.Howard Limbert, Leader of the England Royal Exploration group had assured that “Phong Nha is one among the world’s two most beautiful grottos” with 7 Guinness records:

• The longest water grotto
• The highest and widest entrance
• The most beautiful rock field and sand beach
• The most beautiful underground lake
• The most marvelous and fanciful stalactites
• The longest underground river
• The largest and most beautiful dry grotto