One of the caves discovered in Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park in March, 2024. (Photo: Cave research team)

The Management Board of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park has said that Vietnamese cave experts with help from the British Cave Research Association discovered the 22 caves while surveying 3 previously known caves, which altogether have a length of 3,550 meters.

The caves stretch from 30 to over 570 meters, of which the 4 longest caverns are: “Va” – 516 meters, “12/2 Dry” – 400 meters, “Vuc Hung” – 430 meters, and “Ong Dau” – 572 meters deep.

The entrance height of the caves ranges from 46 to 550 meters in height and the depth ranges from 30 to 154 meters. Located in the core of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, 7 caves with lengths of 1,000 meters were scientifically explored, and 11 more were found in the adjacent area of Lam Hoa commune, Tuyen Hoa district.

The newly discovered caves are shimmering and magical with unique features. (Photo: Cave research team)

The newly discovered caves have unique shapes and environments. Some of them are described as natural treasures with colorful and majestic stalactites and stalactite columns. An explorer said that most of the newly discovered caves are shimmering and magical with unique features, representing the astonishing geologic, geomorphologic, and hydrologic value of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park.

Pham Hong Thai, Director of the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park Management Board, said that the caves have been discovered within the scope of its research and defined by their accessibility, location, and preliminary description. The Park needs to conduct in-depth surveys of all of them to make accurate judgments for their preservation and sustainable exploration.

More than 500 caves, mostly in Bo Trach and Tuyen Hoa districts of Quang Binh, have now been discovered. About 40 caves are open to tourists, including Son Doong, En, and Pigmy, which are the first, second and fourth largest caves in the world.

In the past 20 years, the British Cave Research Association has assisted Vietnam in the discovery of 425 caves in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. To date, 70% of the park has not been explored.