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| Inside a cave in Phong Nha (Photo: New York Times) |
Scott has spent months exploring caves in Phong Nha, interviewing local people and authorities to write the article “Exploring Spectacular Caves in a Quiet Corner of Vietnam”. In the article, Scott said Phong Nha is one of the top adventure travel destinations in Vietnam.
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| There are many activities to try in the area (Photo: New York Times) |
As described by Patrick Scott, Phong Nha National Park is located in the narrowest area of Vietnam, between Laos and the East Sea. “ The region is a captivating, almost prehistoric landscape of sweeping valleys and snaking rivers surrounded by jungle-draped limestone peaks. Within the immense karst formation are some of the world’s largest caves”, he wrote.
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| (Photo: New York Times) |
“Phong Nha is one of the best places he has ever been to in the world”, Scott cited an Australian tourist.
Scott also spent time exploring the lives of local people. He described that local people often follow tourists and help carry backpacks and other belongings in peak seasons.
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| Visitors will have the opportunity to wander around, take pictures, and mingle with and live like an indigenous (Photo: New York Times) |
Some families in Phong Nha turn their farm into a playground for tourists and provide eco-tourism services. At the farm, visitors will have the opportunity to wander around, take pictures, and mingle with and live like an indigenous Phong Nha resident. Scott bought a tour to Duck Stop Farm, a quite popular stop for foreign visitors who excited at the herd of white ducks on the farm.
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Many local people also offer to take tourists around the area by motorbike, then invite the so-called international friends to their home to take a rest and enjoy the local cuisine.
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| A group of people playing basketball in the residential area (Photo: New York Times) |
Scott closely observed the daily life of Phong Nha people, for example, a group of people playing basketball in the residential area. The New York Times reporter said that local life in Phong Nha was not urbanized like other hot destinations in Vietnam such as Sapa, Ha Long Bay or Nha Trang.
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| (Photo: New York Times) |
Phong Nha is about a 50-minute drive from the coastal city of Dong Hoi. Scott recommends that visitors experience the journey to Phong Nha cave or Paradise Cave by boat.
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| (Photo: New York Times) |
He also shares that March to August is the best time to visit Phong Nha. Meanwhile, mid-September to mid-November might come along with unexpected rains and floods.
