Son Doong cave named on Lonely Planet’s bucket-list trips
Son Doong, the world’s largest known cave located in Vietnam’s central province of Quang Binh, has been ranked third among the worldwide bucket-list trips for 2019 by Lonely Planet, a prestigious travel guide magazine.
Quang Binh (VNA) – Son Doong, the world’s largest known cave located inVietnam’s central province of Quang Binh, has been ranked third among the worldwidebucket-list trips for 2019 by Lonely Planet, a prestigious travel guidemagazine.
“The incredible depths of the world’s largest cave luresin travellers who want a true adventure. But the arduous journey into thissubterranean site makes booking a trek essential,” according to the magazine.
“The major tour operator that takes travellers inside, Oxalis Adventure Tours,says on its website that less than 300 spaces remain for 2019 tours. If youwant to make it happen book soon – or get on the waiting list for 2020,” itsaid.
Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Tourism Dang Dong Ha said onJanuary 4 that the ranking has significantly contributed to promoting the cave,as well as general tourism in Quang Binh and Vietnam around the world.
Quang Binh will partner with relevant agencies to ensure safety and quality fortourists to Son Doong, while implementing many large tourism promotionprogrammes in the cave.
The Inca Trail in Peru tops Lonely Planet’s list, followed by Burning Man inNevada of the US. Other destinations included on the list are Under Restaurantin Norway and the 2019 Solar Eclipse in South America.
Son Doong Cave has been recognised as the largest of its kind in the world bythree international record-keeping organisations – Guinness, the AssociationWorld, and WorldKings.
The cave islocated in the heart of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh province.Son Doong was discovered by a local resident in 1991. It was first explored in2009 by the British Cave Research Association and has been open to the publicsince 2013. The 1,645m-longcave system, which extends through a mountain, was named one of the mostcaptivating caves on earth by National Geographic.–VNA
Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park in the central province of Quang Binh is frequently dubbed as the “Kingdom of Caves” for the magnificent specimens it boasts.
Authorities of the central province of Quang Binh have decided to pilot tours of some new caves at the World Natural Heritage site Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, dubbed the “Kingdom of Caves”.
Additional 44 caves have been discovered in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park in the central province of Quang Binh, raising the total caves found so far in this area to 405, according to the park’s management board.
Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh has instructed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST) to coordinate with other ministries, agencies and localities to effectively implement policies and directives from the Party, Government, and Prime Minister on tourism development.
Da Nang's appeal stems from its numerous outstanding tourist attractions, particularly My Khe Beach, Sun World Ba Na Hills resort, and the ancient town of Hoi An. Additionally, Da Nang tourism is renowned for its affordability, especially attractive to young travellers and couples, according to Chosun Ilbo.
With new direct flights from major Indian cities like Hyderabad and Bengaluru, Vietnam is becoming an increasingly compelling destination for Indian tourists seeking a quick, emotionally rich four-day escape that blends luxury, culture, and natural wonder.
By source market, China continued to lead with 3.1 million visitors, equivalent to 25.5% of all foreign arrivals. The Republic of Korea followed with 2.5 million, or 20.7%. Other major markets included Taiwan (China) with 737,000, the US with 522,000, and Japan with 380,000.
Khanh Hoa has welcomed 16 international cruises so far this year, with more than 19,000 tourists disembarking to explore the province’s scenic landscapes and renowned cultural, religious, and artistic landmarks, as well as to enjoy local cuisine and sightseeing tours.
According to local plans, fireworks shows will be held at multiple locations, with Ha Long Bay as the focal point. More than mere entertainment, these displays are part of a strategic cultural tourism product aimed at strengthening the region’s brand.
Chatbot and virtual assistants support itinerary consultation and tour bookings, and provide around-the-clock response across multiple platforms while AI advertising applications have been used to optimise budgets and target the right customers. AI has been also employed to analyse customer data, enabling the delivery of personalised tour recommendations.
Many Vietnamese regions possess favourable conditions, including natural landscapes, climate, and rich cultural identities, to host sport events that integrate with cultural and tourism experiences.
Dubbed the “land of ancient towers”, Khanh Hoa boasts a rich Cham legacy through architectural masterpieces like the Po Nagar, Hoa Lai, Po Klong Garai, and Po Rome towers.
Vietnam’s e-visa system is now seen as one of the most efficient, convenient, and transparent in the region. Fully online registration, no paperwork or interviews, and fast and flexible processing time have improved foreigners’ entry experience, creating a competitive advantage over countries clinging to complicated and costly visa procedures.
Sunset Town unfolded like a living fairytale. Every street and hidden corner recalls iconic European landmarks – from Venice’s San Marco Bell Tower and Paris’s Arc de Triomphe to Almafi-style squares and cobblestone paths reminiscent of southern Italy.
Its natural advantages have made Mui Ne a magnet for enthusiasts of kitesurfing, windsurfing, surfing, and stand-up paddle boarding (SUP). These activities not only diversify the local tourism offerings but also contribute to the area’s long-term development strategy focused on sustainability.
In July alone, the city welcomed 695,930 international arrivals, surging 75.3% year-on-year. For the seven-month period, international visitors totalled 4.5 million, up 48% year-on-year.
Welcoming the crew on the morning of July 30, Dang Dong Ha, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, emphasised that the film offers a valuable opportunity to promote Quang Tri’s tourism potential, particularly to Indian visitors, but also to a broader global audience.
With a proactive and creative approach, Hanoi is positioning itself as one of Southeast Asia’s most compelling destinations where tradition meets innovation, and every visit offers a blend of the familiar and the new.
Fostering linkage among regional localities and restructuring the tourism sector towards professionalism are among measures to boost the “smokeless industry” of the Mekong Delta.
Son Doong cave (Photo:Ryan Deboodt) 
