Phong Nha National Park

Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park has just been recognized as a World Natural Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at its 27th General Assembly session held in Paris from June 30 to July 5.

During the session, delegates from over 160 member countries of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention agreed to add Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and 30 other areas worldwide to the list of world natural heritage sites.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is now the fifth UNESCO-recognized heritage site in Vietnam, following Ha Long Bay, the Imperial City of Hue, the Ancient Quarter of Hoi An, and the My Son historical site.

Located to the north of the majestic Truong Son Range in Quang Binh Province, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is one of the world’s two largest limestone regions.

Covering over 200,000 hectares, the park includes limestone formations, beautiful grottoes, and caves, with 95% of the area covered by lush forests.

This area is considered a paradise for researchers and cave explorers. Vietnamese and British scientists have surveyed 20 caves totaling 70km in length, with 17 caves in the Phong Nha area and three in the Ke Bang area.

Phong Nha Cave, which gives its name to the entire system, is perhaps the most beautiful cave of all, featuring fascinating rock formations with enchanting names like Lion, Fairy, Royal Court, and Buddha that captivate visitors.

In addition to the cave and grotto systems, Phong Nha boasts the longest underground rivers, the largest caverns and passageways, the widest and most beautiful sandbanks, and the most astonishing rock formations in the world.

According to initial statistics, the pristine tropical forest in Phong Nha-Ke Bang is home to 140 families, 427 genera, and 751 species of high-value plants, including 36 endangered species listed in the Vietnam Red Book. The forest is also home to 32 orders, 98 families, 256 species, and 381 races of terrestrial vertebrates. Sixty-six animal species are listed in the Vietnam Red Book and 23 other species in the World Red Book. In general, the animals in Phong Nha-Ke Bang exhibit greater diversity than in other natural reserves and national parks.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang also boasts dozens of mountain peaks over 1,000 meters that remain unexplored by humans and are ideal locations for climbing and exploration. Notable peaks include Co Rilata at 1,128 meters and Co Preu at 1,213 meters. Valleys nestled between these peaks promise tourists exciting eco-tours.

In addition to its diverse ecosystem, Phong Nha-Ke Bang is home to archaeological and historical relics, such as ancient Cham hieroglyphic scripts, King Ham Nghi’s resistance base against French colonialists in the late 19th century, the Xuan Son ferry station, Ho Chi Minh Trail, and Road 20 used during the US resistance war.

Quang Binh Province is heavily investing in upgrading Phong Nha-Ke Bang as a major tourist destination in Vietnam