Son Doong cable car idea needs careful consideration: official
The consideration of projects relating to areas with exceptional values like Son Doong Cave must especially take into account impacts on the local environment, culture and society.
Hanoi (VNA) – The consideration of projectsrelating to areas with exceptional values like Son Doong Cave, as well as thePhong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, must especially take into account impacts onthe local environment, culture and society to ensure sustainable development.
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and TourismDang Thi Bich Lien made the remark on January 19 regarding the informationpublished by many news websites that central Quang Binh province plans to builda cable car system to Son Doong Cave.
She clarified the ministry’s viewpoint that theprotection of natural and cultural heritages is always associated with thepromotion of their values to serve people and bring about economic benefits.
The protection and bringing into play ofheritage values must also seriously adhere to the Law on Cultural Heritage andUNESCO’s Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and NaturalHeritage, to which Vietnam is a party.
Any investment and development regarding SonDoong Cave, which is part of the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, must beconsulted with the ministry and relevant agencies and have the Prime Minister’sapproval, she noted.
Lien said the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Parkis a special national heritage and was named a world natural heritage site.Meanwhile, Son Doong Cave is the biggest in the cave system of the park and hassignificant values. It is also a pride of Vietnam.
Therefore, any activity that may affect the parkand Son Doong Cave must be carried out very prudently and comply with Vietnam’sheritage protection regulations and the UNESCO convention, she added.-VNA
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Sun beam in Son Doong Cave (Photo: Ryan Deboodt) 
