British Newspaper extolls the virtue of the Son Doong Cave

Top British Newspaper The Daily Telegraph recently feature an article, including many superb photographs, extolling the virtue and beauty of the recently discovered Son Doong Cave. Now officially recognised as the biggest cave in Vietnam tours, this magnificent grotto is drawing interest from all over the planet.

Discover the mystery from the name of the Son Doong cave

The cave, whose name means ‘Mountain River Cave’ is situated near the border with Laos and is astonishing in its dimensions. Five times larger than Vietnam’s previous record holder its largest chamber is 3 miles long, over 650 feet high and 500 feet wide. The cave also contains some of the largest stalagmites in the world standing at well over 200 feet tall.

It was discovered by a local man in 1991, but the sound of wind rushing through and the roaring of the monsoon-fed, internal river terrified locals who would not enter. In 2009 a group of British scientists led by husband and wife team, Howard and Deb Limbert, conducted a survey here and for the first time, the enormity of the feature was realised.

See more: Son Doong Cave listed amongst the finest attractions on earth

Discover surreal beauty inside Son Doong cave

The Photographs in The Daily Telegraph show the cave in all its magnificence. From the misty entrance right through to the exit point miles away. Underground lakes and rivers providing scenes almost from another world. Journalists camped for 5 nights to get the dramatic and awe inspiring photos. At times light bursts in from fissures in the rock, presenting the most beautiful images.

The rock formations here are incredible; everything just seems so out of proportion. The group are seen camping on a beach deep inside the cave in one photo, whilst one of their party looks on from a high vantage point. It seems incredible to think this is all inside a cave. In other photos the etherial light creates superb photographic imagery. The stalagmites and stalactites are the most dramatic imaginable, rivalling anything previously discovered.

Cave pearls are formed by calcium salts that form concentric layers built around a small nucleus. These salts set as hard as concrete. Moving water flowing over them, polishes the surface. Most previously found cave pearls are about a third of an inch in diameter. Here, cave pearls as big as cricket balls have been found.

For now geologists are still carrying out important important work within the cave. However in time, this is bound to become a huge tourist draw. Judging by the large numbers that visit Vietnam’s other well known caves, like the Sung Sot in Halong Bay, steps will need to be made to protect this natural asset for the country and the people of the world.

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