Exploring Son Doong – World Biggest Cave in Vietnam

Son Doong cave is a cave in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park (a world natural heritage in western area of Quang Binh province, Vietnam). The  site is about 500 kilometers south of Ha Noi. It is recognized the largest cave in the world. Son Doong cave was found by Ho Khanh – a local man in Bo Trach district. Later in 2009, the cave as discovered by by British cavers, led by Howard Limbert. Inside of the cave is a large, fast-flowing underground river.

The name “Son Doong” in local language means “mountain river”.  The cave was created 2-5 million years ago by river water eroding away the limestone underneath the mountain. As the limestone was weak, the cave ceiling collapsed creating huge skylights.

According to the Limberts – leader of British caver team- Son Doong cave is 5 times bigger than Phong Nha Cave, previously considered the biggest cave in Vietnam. The biggest chamber of Sơn Đoòng is more than 5 kilometers long, 200 metres high and 150 meters wide.