Where is phong nha

At more than 5km long, and comfortably able to fit a New York City block within its expanse, Son Doong Cave is the best known. With a little less cash and advanced planning, you can visit beautiful Phong Nha Cave, which is closest to Phong Nha town and only accessible by dragon boat from the little jetty here. Dark Cave Hang Toi involves a zip line, a muddy exploration, a cold swim and a short kayak trip, while Paradise Cave is a huge dry cavern with a deceptively tiny entrance.

The latter has mind-blowing stalactite and stalagmite formations, which can be viewed from a boardwalk.

Other caverns, such as Hang Va and Hang En, require some demanding trekking. The botanical gardens are 12km from town and you can explore on foot, scrambling down to Gio Waterfall for a dip. Here, a temple honours the eight young locals who, in , were trapped and entombed during an American bombing raid.

The whole area was devastated during the Vietnam War look out for the craters still dotting the countryside , and because there is still unexploded ordnance in the park, independent trekking is prohibited here.

The property includes karst formations which are some of the oldest and largest in Asia, and it has geological, climatic, hydrographic and ecological conditions which are distinct from other limestone karst landscapes.

Its cave ecosystems and habitats are unique with high levels of endemism and adaptations displayed by cave-dependent species. Furthermore, the property protects globally significant ecosystems within the Northern Annamites Rainforests and Annamite Range Moist Forests priority ecoregions. Criterion x : A high level of biodiversity is found within the property, with over 2, species of vascular plants and over vertebrate species.

Several globally threatened species are also present: plant species and vertebrate species have been reported, including several large mammals such as the endangered Large-antlered Muntjac, Clouded Leopard, and the critically endangered Saola. The level of endemism is high, especially in the cave systems. Furthermore, it is estimated that over plant species endemic to Viet Nam are found within the property, as well as 38 animal species endemic to the Annamite range. Several new species to science have recently been found, including cave scorpions, fish, lizards, snakes and turtles, and more species are likely to be discovered.

The property constitutes one of the largest protected karst landscapes in South East Asia. The watershed protection forests in the buffer zone also protect the integrity of the property.

Furthermore, the extension of the property enhances its integrity and connectivity with the karst landscape in Lao PDR. There are, however, a number of issues that affect the integrity of the property. Wildlife poaching and illegal harvesting of forest products are a direct threat to biodiversity values. The property has also suffered from past developments and its integrity could be threatened by further uncontrolled tourism developments, notably by the proposed construction of a cable car and access roads.

There is a need for the implementation of Environmental Impact Assessments for any projects which could negatively affect the site. This would ensure that the natural landscape, geologic and geomorphic values, and key features such as primitive forest, caves, rivers and streams within the inscribed area remain intact.

The property is situated within an area of high population density and as such a number of activities, such as cultivation, tourism, transport and freshwater fisheries could also impact on its integrity. The Management Board is responsible for protection of forest resources and biodiversity and was established in Cave conservation and the provision of a tourism service are the responsibility of the Cultural and Ecological Tourist Centre under the Management Board.

The National Park is effectively protected by a number of national laws and government decisions, which prohibit any action inside or outside the boundaries of the National Park or a World Heritage property that may have a significant impact on the heritage values. The Management Board oversees law enforcement programmes including ranger patrols and joint law enforcement operations on the border with Lao PDR. Nevertheless, the rugged nature of the country and community dependence on natural resources coupled with relatively limited resources for enforcement means that wildlife poaching and illegal timber gathering are difficult to eradicate and remain a challenging issue.

The Ho Chi Minh highway, constructed outside and to the north of the property is appropriately located and provides important and valuable benefit to the National Park in terms of opening up views of and access to the Ke Bang forest area. You can also visit poignant Hang Tam Co Eight Lady Cave , now a memorial to eight Vietnamese pioneer soldiers who perished in after a US bombing raid sealed the entrance to the cave.

Join a jungle hike with one of the region's excellent local trekking guides. Another trekking option is with Dzung of Jungle Boss Trekking , who runs a one-day tour around the Ho Chi Minh Trail, also visiting the remote Abandoned Valley area of the national park. After active days underground or trudging through the jungle, a more relaxed pursuit is to spend a few hours at the Nuoc Mooc Ecotrail. A series of linked walkways and bamboo bridges winds through a forested limestone labyrinth of pristine pools and turquoise springs.

Day two includes exploration of Tu Lan, and the challenging combination of trekking and swimming through the Kim and Hung Ton caves. Located close to renowned Hang Son Doong, Hang En is currently regarded as the third-largest cave on the planet. Fossils up to million years old have been found in the cave, but present-day wildlife includes thousands of swifts, which dart amid the diffuse shafts of sunlight projecting into Hang En's giant cavern.

Discovered in , and only opened to visitors in , Hang Va is the newest underground adventure in the Phong Nha region. After overnighting at a jungle camp near Hang Va's entrance, visitors explore the cave's spectacular partially submerged stalagmite field.

Bring a sense of adventure — ropes and harnesses are used extensively during this experience. Regular local buses link the two towns.