Culture - Sports

Son Doong Cave internationally recognised

Son Doong Cave in the central province of Quang Binh has been recognised as the largest of its kind in the world by three international organisations.
Son Doong Cave internationally recognised ảnh 1Son Doong Cave was named one of the most captivating caves on earth by National Geographic (Photo: news.nationalgeographic.com)

Quang Binh (VNA) - Son Doong Cave in the central province of Quang Binh has been recognised as the largest of its kind in the world by three international organisations, including Guinness ( based in the UK), the Association World Record (based in Hong Kong) and WorldKings (based in the US and India).

The Vietnam Record Association, VietKings, said Son Doong Cave is the first and only place in the world to hold titles granted by three international world record organisations at the same time.

The cave is located in the heart of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park in the central Quang Binh province. Son Doong was discovered by a local in 1991. It was first explored in 2009 by the British Cave Research Association and has been open to the public since 2013.

The 1,645m-long cave system, which extends through a mountain, was named one of the most captivating caves on earth by National Geographic.

Geologists say the cave formed two to five million years ago. It is roughly 6,5km long, 200m high and 150m wide, exceeding the former world record of Deer Cave in Gunung Muli National Park in Malaysia.

The 2015 Guinness Book of World Records included an introduction to Son Doong Cave and an announcement of the cave setting a world record.

To promote both the “precious gem” of Quang Binh province and the Vietnamese tourism -- and to leave Vietnam’s mark on the map of world records -- VietKings submitted dossiers to Association World Record and WorldKings in March 2016, proposing that the two organisations grant world record status to Son Doong Cave as the largest natural cave in the world.

Early in June 2016, Association World Record sent official documents announcing the cave’s world record status to Quang Binh province and VietKings.

The province also received documents from WorldKings one month later, recognising Son Doong Cave as the largest natural cave in the world and detailing its founder, exploration and legal owner.

The cave was discovered by Ho Khanh, a local farmer in 1991. The British Cave Research Association explored the cave and determined its scale in 2009.

Son Doong Cave is located in Son Trach commune, Bo Trach district, Quang Binh province.-VNA

VNA
#Son Doong Cave #WorldKings #international world record #National Geographic Quang Binh
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

More caves discovered in Quang Binh

More caves discovered in Quang Binh

A total of 57 new caves with a combined length of over 20km have been discovered in Quang Binh central province this year by a team of explorers from the British Cave Research Association (BCRA).
Son Doong cave welcomes 500 more tourists

Son Doong cave welcomes 500 more tourists

Five hundred domestic and foreign tourists successfully conquered Son Doong Cave, which is located in the heart of the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in the central coastal province of Quang Binh.

See more

A visitor to the exhibition (Photo: VNA)

Colours of Friendship: Hanoi welcomes Vietnam-RoK artistic encounter

The harmonious mingling of works by artists from both nations conjures a multi-layered, dynamic space where distinct visual languages intersect with shared emotional depth, aesthetic thinking and creative spirit. The result is a rich and refreshing visual experience.

Artists take part in a parade at the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2024. (Photo the HFCD organiser)

'Creative Meetup' programme takes place in Hanoi

The 'Creative Meetup' programme in Hanoi showcases initiatives from the creative community across eight cultural industry sectors, celebrating creativity and innovative solutions within the creative community.

A student from Nguyen Du Lao-Vietnamese bilingual school participates in a story-telling competition in Vietnamese with the theme "Vinh Moc Tunnel - Quang Tri, where life is immortal" (Photo: VNA)

Culture expected to remain pillar of Vietnam’s sustainable development: ethnologist

Ha noted that the upcoming congress is also expected to improve institutions and infrastructure for cultural industries, intellectual property and the creative economy sector. These fields are not only drivers of identity-based economic growth but also key tools for strengthening soft power and projecting the national image in an increasingly interconnected world.

Heritage innovation drives Hanoi’s cultural growth (Photo: VNA)

Heritage renewal energises Hanoi’s cultural sector

According to Hanoi Department of Tourism Director Dang Huong Giang, these innovative products not only diversify experiences but also demonstrate the city’s adaptability to modern trends, contributing to improved visitor satisfaction and reinforcing Hanoi’s creative and forward-looking spirit.

Tourists visit the Hue Imperial Citadel. (Photo: VNA)

Hue digitises imperial heritage to mitigate disaster and climate risks

As science and technology advance rapidly, the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre was asked to accelerate the digitisation of documents, drawings, images and artefacts, build a unified database of monuments, and apply 3D, VR and AR technologies in research, exhibitions, and heritage interpretation.

Screenshot photo of the article about the match between Vietnam's U23 and Kyrgyzstan's U23 at King Abdullah Sports City Hall on January 9 on Aki Press.

Kyrgyzstan media warn their team ahead of match against Vietnam U23

After opening their campaign with a 0–1 defeat to Saudi Arabia U23 — a match in which they were reduced to 10 men from the 34th minute following Arsen Sharshenbekov’s red card — Kyrgyzstan U23 head into the meeting with Vietnam under heavy pressure. Another defeat would likely see coach Edmar Lacerda’s side eliminated early from the tournament.

Tran Ngoc Luong (right) is one of Vietnamese athletes in the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Championships 2026 in China. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese fighters eye Asian MMA titles in China

Vietnamese fighters will target championship honours when they compete at the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Championships 2026 in China, aiming to build momentum and ranking points on the continental stage.

At the ceremony to honour and reward coaches and athletes who achieved outstanding results at SEA Games 33 in Hanoi on January 7, 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi’s athletes, coaches honoured for great success at SEA Games 33

Addressing a ceremony to honour and reward coaches and athletes who achieved outstanding results at SEA Games 33 in Hanoi on January 7, Deputy Chairwoman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Thu Ha stated that the municipal authorities have invested in world-class facilities, introduced support and reward policies for coaches and athletes, enabling them to train abroad, gain experience, and strengthen their competitiveness at international events.