From 21/3 to 11/4, 10 foreign expedition experts and many Vietnamese experts surveyed Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park in Quang Tri province.

After 20 days, the team discovered 26 new caves and surveyed three existing caves, with a total measured length of 13,643 m. The most notable discovery was Cha Ngheo cave, a vertical sinkhole with its entrance located on a mountain peak, featuring a waterfall flowing into it.

A climber rappels down into the cave. "The cave is L-shaped, which is very rare. This is the first time I have witnessed this type of cave in Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park," said Howard Limbert, a British expedition expert with 36 years of cave exploration experience.

Despite the dry season with little rain, a strong stream flows inside the cave. The team has not fully explored it yet, as the lower sections are cold and require wetsuits. The cave is not suitable for tourism development due to the potentially dangerous water flow, according to Howard Limbert.

In addition to Cha Ngheo, which has water, the expedition also discovered Mo Roo cave, approximately 500 m long, which also features an underground stream system. The cave entrance is situated high up, with a stream flowing below.

Inside the cave, a stream flows over stalactite formations. 66% of the cave's length requires swimming. The expedition team assessed this cave as suitable for access and tourism operations.

An expert stoops to enter Mo Roo cave; deeper sections require navigating underwater. The team spent more than 1,5 days fully exploring the cave.

To date, British Royal cave experts and Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park have identified 7 main cave areas, including three large systems: Phong Nha, Vom, and Nuoc Mooc. The total number of recorded caves is 472, with a surveyed length exceeding 254 km.

The expedition team discovered Ma Dom cave in Kim Dien commune, measuring 1,257 m long. The cave is large, holds high scientific value, and has water flowing inside.

A section of Ma Dom cave is illuminated by sunlight. Pham Hong Thai, Director of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, stated that the 2026 survey results significantly enhance the national park's cave database. These discoveries continue to affirm the outstanding geological, geomorphological, and karst system values of the region.

"These caves not only hold scientific significance but also open up many potentials in conservation, research, and sustainable tourism development, contributing to enhancing the value and position of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park as a world natural heritage site in the future," he said.

The path to the caves runs along streams, surrounded by primary forest.

Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park features continuous, largely unfaulted limestone massifs, earning it the moniker "Kingdom of Caves". The caves are concentrated in Phong Nha, Thuong Trach, Kim Phu, Kim Dien, Tan Thanh, Tuyen Lam, and Truong Son.

Approximately 40 caves have been opened for tourism, including Son Doong, En, and Pigmy, which are the first, second, and 4th largest caves in the world, respectively.

Dac Thanh

Photos: Oxalis