On Friday, Le Luu Dung, director of Junglee Boss Company Limited in Bo Trach District, Quang Binh Province, announced an intriguing discovery made by their surveyors. In a branch of the Thung cave, which is part of the cave system in Hung Thoong (or Thoong Valley) within the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, a new lake has been found.
‘Hung’, according to local dialect, translates to ‘valley.’ This newly discovered lake has a unique location, sitting approximately 15 meters higher than the main underground river branch in the cave. Due to its elevated position, the lake appears to be gracefully “hanging” on the cave wall, as described by Dung.
Located about a kilometer from the cave entrance, the lake spans several hundred square meters and is surrounded by stalactite columns. The survey team has not yet been able to measure its depth due to a lack of diving equipment. They are now working to identify the source of water feeding this mysterious lake.
Given its exceptional location, the survey team has temporarily named it ‘Lo Lung’ (Hanging) Lake. The team plans to return soon with specialized equipment to thoroughly explore this hidden gem.
The newly discovered lake in Thung cave, Hung Thoong, boasts a unique and mesmerizing appearance. Photo: L. Dung / Tuoi Tre |
Hung Thoong is known for its pristine beauty, with numerous caves nestled deep within the strictly protected area of the national park. It is surrounded by ancient limestone mountains and primary forests, some of which are millions of years old.
Since early 2023, the Quang Binh administration has allowed pilot tours of Hung Thoong, offering visitors a glimpse into this untouched natural wonder.
Spanning over 123,000 hectares across Bo Trach and Minh Hoa districts, the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park is home to more than 400 caves of various sizes and shapes. The park has been recognized by UNESCO as a world natural heritage site twice: in 2003 for its geological and geomorphological significance and again in 2015 for its outstanding biodiversity and ecological value.