Located deep in the core zone of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, a world natural heritage recognized by the UNESCO, in the central province of Quang Binh, Va and Nuoc Nut are praised the two most unique and beautiful caves in the region, which have about 1,000 beautiful stalactites.
Va – Nuoc Nut caves were surveyed by the British royal cave exploration association in 2000.
This cave was also discovered by Ho Khanh, the man who found Son Doong. This cave is also very close to Son Doong. With a length of 1.7 km, the cave is praised by many experts as beautiful and unique thanks to the wonderful stalactites.
Right next to the Va cave is Nuoc Nut, with a length of over 2.2 km and is a river cave.
The Va and Nuoc Nut tour is designed for two days and one night with increasing level of difficulty.
The Va and Nuoc Nut caves have the same water source as the Son Doong Cave, which has been recognised as the largest cave in the world.
Especially at Va Cave, the stalactites have formed around hard objects such as pieces of wood and sand at the bottom of the lake. The calcium from the water covers these hard substances, and over time, the stalactites become larger.
Quang Binh Province was ranked eighth among the top 52 ideal destinations on the planet and the first in Asia in 2014, in a list published by the New York Times magazine.
Entering the caves is a big challenge for tourists since it requires safety equipment and assistance from experienced professionals.
While the entrance to Nuoc Nut Cave is at the bottom of a cliff, that of Va cave is a sinkhole in a small steep valley, surrounded by cliffs.
British cave experts said the stalactite system in these caves are very vulnerable. Visitors’ inattention can ruin the “masterpiece” of millions of years of nature.
We discovered the caves by booking a two-day tour through a travel firm in Quang Binh.
After arriving in the city of Dong Hoi, the capital of Quang Binh, by plane, we moved to Chay Lap Farmstay by a free bus. There, we explored the rustic countryside by free bicycles, kayaking on the Chay River. After dinner, we rested to prepare for the exploration of the caves the next day.
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Chay Lap Farmstay. |
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Exploring villages located around Chay Lap Farmstay by bicycle is an interesting experience. |
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We left Chay Lap Farmstay very early in the morning of the next day. We traveled 8km of mountain roads with uneven terrain to reach Va Cave. |
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The entrance to Va Cave is quite small, about 20m deep from the ground. |
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Va Cave is located in a small valley in the core zone of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, surrounded on four sides by high cliffs. |
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The slippery rocky road to Va Cave. |
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The Creator has given this place an extremely unique and attractive beauty. |
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There are hundreds of stalactite columns in Va Cave. |
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There are many places where tourists have to crawl through narrow gaps that can fit one person. |
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Va Cave is only 1.7km long, more than 100m wide, very near to Son Doong, with magnificent and very strange stalactite columns. |
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The stream of more than 500m long will bring the journey to two unique caves closer to visitors. |
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Stalactites in Va Cave. |
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Next to Va Cave, Nuoc Nut Cave with a length of more than 2.2km is actually a river cave. |
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Exploring Va Cave – Nuoc Nut Cave requires a resilient health. |
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A garden of stalactites grows on the cave floor. |
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Along the underground river in Va Cave are massive stalactites. |
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There are spaces that are as wide as rooms of up to 30-40m high. |
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The blue water. |
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The price for one-day tour to the caves is about VND4 million ($180)/person, and VND8 million/person for a two-day tour. This tour is suitable for those who like adventure travel. |
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To discover this natural masterpiece, there are sections where you have to swim and wade to chest level. |
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Tourists have to be very careful, otherwise it is very easy to have an accident when you have to move through the jagged and slippery roads. |
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A moment of rest in the journey to conquer Va and Nuoc Nut caves. |
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Pham Minh Thanh
