Phong Nha - Ke Bang: Vietnam's top natural destination, "Asia's leading national park"

At the World Travel Awards (WTA) 2025 Asia- Pacific region held in Hong Kong (China) last week, Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park (formerly Quang Binh province, now Quang Tri) made history when it was honored for the first time in two top categories: “Vietnam’s Leading Natural Destination” and “Asia’s Leading National Park”.

These two titles represent the highest level of recognition for the unique beauty of the heritage, as well as local efforts in preserving and sustainably developing the area.

Representatives of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park received two prestigious awards for nature tourism in Hong Kong (China). Photo TL

Ms. Le Thi Ngoc Ha, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Tri province, said that the province has identified tourism as one of the four pillars of economic development. The goal is to turn Phong Nha – Ke Bang into not only an adventure tourism center of Asia but also a model of green tourism, in harmony between people and nature.

These two titles are not only a recognition of the majestic beauty and unique value of the heritage, but also a worthy reward for the continuous efforts of the local authorities managing and developing the Phong Nha - Ke Bang area.

The award, considered the “Oscar of the world tourism industry”, affirms that Phong Nha – Ke Bang is not only a leading adventure destination in Southeast Asia, but also a symbol of green tourism and sustainable development – one of the strategic directions of Vietnam tourism.

Inside Son Doong Cave. Source: Oxalis Adventure

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Phong Nha – Ke Bang owns Son Doong Cave – a unique natural wonder in the world. With a length of more than 9 km, a cave ceiling up to 200 m high and 150 m wide, Son Doong is large enough to accommodate a 40-storey building, praised by National Geographic as “another planet underground”.

The prestigious international travel magazine Travel+Leisure describes Son Doong as a “surreal natural wonder” with giant domes, a primeval forest ecosystem deep underground, and a separate underground river system and microclimate.

Travel+Leisure emphasizes that the journey to Son Doong is not for the masses, but a special adventure experience, where people are completely overwhelmed by the grandeur and pristine nature.

Since officially opening in 2013, the Son Doong tour operated by Oxalis Adventure has welcomed more than 8,500 visitors from all over the world. This journey is limited to only 1,000 people per year, usually fully booked 12–18 months in advance – becoming the most prestigious adventure tourism symbol in Vietnam.

Mr. Nguyen Chau A, General Director of Oxalis Adventure, said in Ho Chi Minh City on the afternoon of October 20: “Together with UOB and the Phong Nha – Ke Bang Management Board, we want to bring visitors not just a trip, but an experience of deep connection with nature – where heritage and people develop together sustainably.”

Son Doong Cave System. Source: Oxalis Adventure

Continue to enhance the value of Phong Nha - Ke Bang heritage

In the first 9 months of 2025, Phong Nha – Ke Bang welcomed more than 836,900 visitors, a sharp increase over the same period last year; of which international visitors reached 148,000, an increase of 18%. The Management Board aims to exceed 1 million visitors this year, focusing especially on attracting tourists with a sense of nature conservation.

Mr. Pham Hong Thai, Director of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, shared at a recent cooperation meeting between banks, businesses and conservation agencies in Ho Chi Minh City: “The cooperation aims to help attract tourists who are aware of environmental protection and enhance heritage values. The cooperation with UOB, a bank with an extensive international network, is an opportunity to bring Phong Nha – Ke Bang closer to the high-end customer community in the region, contributing to spreading the message of nature conservation.”

Phong Nha – Ke Bang was recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage twice: the first time in 2003 for its geological and geomorphological value, and the second time in 2015 for its biodiversity value.

In particular, Vietnam has been rated by the famous travel magazine Wanderlust (UK) as a paradise for cave lovers, notably Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park with hundreds of majestic caves, a diverse ecosystem with 154 species of mammals and 314 species of birds, especially some new species discovered in 2024, continuing to affirm the special biological value of this place...

Source: https://danviet.vn/phong-nha--ke-bang-diem-den-thien-nhien-hang-dau-viet-nam-vuon-quoc-gia-hang-dau-chau-a-d1371898.html