Hung cave, part of the Hung Thoong system, has been operated by Jungle Boss Company Limited in collaboration with the Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park Management Board since early 2023, according to Le Luu Dung, director of Jungle Boss Company Limited.

This is not a mass tourism product but is organized as controlled adventure tourism, limited to a maximum of 15 guests per group.

Cave pearls lie on the cave floor. Photo: Jungle Boss

The peak season for visitors here runs from april to august annually. The three-day, two-night journey offers an immersive experience, including trekking through primeval forests, crossing streams, navigating natural terrain, and exploring the intricate cave system.

To participate, visitors must pay approximately 12 million dong and complete a trek of over 17 km through the forest, requiring good physical fitness.

The highlight of the journey is the hundreds of cave pearls scattered across the floor of Hung cave.

According to expedition experts, the formation of cave pearls in Vietnam is a rare phenomenon. They form when water seeps through limestone walls, carrying calcium carbonate, which then drips down and encases a core nucleus, typically a grain of sand or a small pebble. Over thousands of years, the layers of calcium accumulate, forming concentric circles. Under the force of water flowing through small calcium pools (terraced formations on the cave floor), these pearls roll in place, rubbing against each other to create a very smooth surface.

Due to the rare and sensitive nature of the heritage core zone's ecosystem, the most important rule of the tour is that exploitation must be linked to conservation. Movement within the cave must follow designated fixed paths. Actions such as touching stalactites, cave pearls, taking samples, breaking tree branches, or littering are strictly prohibited.

"Our goal is not to increase visitor numbers at any cost, but to engage in responsible exploitation. The landscape, stalactite system, and ecological environment in this area have been preserved almost entirely after three years of operation", Le Luu Dung said.

Visitors exploring cave pearls in Hung cave must maintain distance and not touch them. Photo: Jungle Boss

The company does not install fixed lighting systems, modify natural terrain, and applies the "leave no trace" principle at campsites. All waste generated during the trip is collected and transported out of the forest. After each tour, the entire route is inspected to ensure no negative environmental impact is left behind.

Before each trip, visitors are equipped with protective gear, informed of regulations, and commit to environmental protection under the supervision of a guide and safety assistant.

Regarding this activity, Pham Hong Thai, director of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, stated that all ecotourism products along the park's routes are under the strict supervision of forest rangers and specialized forces.

"Anyone who violates heritage management regulations or negatively impacts the natural landscape will be strictly dealt with", Pham Hong Thai said.

Dac Thanh