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May 25, 2018 / 10:30

Vietnam destinations named among list 7 stunning natural wonders in Asia

Two Vietnamese destinations have been listed as one of the stunning natural wonders in Asia, according to National Geographic.

Son Doong cave, Quang Binh province ranked list as one of the stunning natural wonders in Asia by National Geographic,  a world leader in geography, cartography and exploration.
 
Son Doong cave, Quang Binh province.
Son Doong cave, Quang Binh province.
There is plenty to discover in Son Doong cave in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh province, Vietnam. “The cave is one of the largest in the world and requires a licensed guide to explore,” National Geographic wrote.
Located within Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Son Doong cave is one of the world’s largest, with its main cavern big enough to house a Boeing 747 plane. A wide, fast river that tunneled through the Earth over time formed Hang Son Doong, whose name translates from Vietnamese to “mountain river cave.”
Ho Khanh, who took refuge within it during a storm, discovered Son Doong in 1991. Lost again until 2009, the cave is now open to tourism. Proposed developments, including a cable car, have raised concerns with environmentalists. For now, only Oxalis Tours is licensed to guide tourists through Hang Son Doong.
Oxalis offers multiday expeditions for US$3,000. An alternative for those in the area is Thien Duong Cave (Paradise Cave) in the same national park. Buses run to Phong Na from Dong Hoi and from Hanoi.
In addition, Ban Gioc waterfall, Cao Bang province also has been listed as one of the stunning natural wonders in Asia. Surrounded by karst rocks and green forest, the twin waterfalls in Ban Gioc tumble down in tiers to the Quay Son River below. “While the waters’ vertical drop is slight, the width of the cascades make for an impressive sight,” National Geographic wrote.
Swimming is prohibited, but you can take small bamboo rafts to the very edge of the falls. During the hot rainy season from May to September, the Quay Son swells, widening the water flow considerably.
From the Vietnamese side, the falls are around 225 miles from Hanoi, and buses leave the My Dinh bus station for Cao Bang city. From there, a second bus will drop you off at the falls.