Described as “the underground palace”, Paradise Cave is one of the most magnificent and magical wonders in Vietnam. The cave is deeply nestled in the well-known World Natural Heritage – Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park – which belongs to Son Trach Commune, Bo Trach District, Quang Binh Province. Paradise Cave is about 70km to the northwest of Dong Hoi and 25km from Phong Nha Cave.
Paradise Cave was discovered in 2005 by a local man named Ho Khanh, who also explored Son Doong Cave few years later. Shortly after receiving this information, British Cave Research Association (BCRA) led by Dr. Howard Limbert conducted a survey and announced the astonishing results. According to the exploration of BCRA, this is the longest cave in Asia with the total length of 31.4km. Especially, the cave is outstanding for its impressive system of stalagmites and stalactites, which is beyond the imagination of human. Because of its shimmering and subtle beauty of stalagmites and stalactites inside the cave, the cave was named Paradise Cave (Thien Duong Cave).
Paradise Cave is a dry cave, there aren’t any underground rivers flowing through the cave as in Phong Nha Cave. According to the preliminary survey of researchers, in comparison to Phong Nha Cave, Paradise Cave is larger, more beautiful and impressive. This is one of the most spectacular caves that BCRA has made a survey. The spectacular and fanciful structure of Thien Duong cave makes people think of a real heaven on the earth. The temperature inside the cave is lower than the outside approximately 16 degree C. The cave entrance is so small that only one person can squeeze through. However, when tourists go deep into the cave, they will be surprised how large it is. It has the width ranging from 30 – 150m and the height fluctuating from 60 – 80m.
In spite of being discovered in 2005, Paradise Cave was only opened for tourists by Truong Thinh Group 6 years later (September 2011). With more than one-hour-drive from the center of Dong Hoi City, tourists will be at a junction to Paradise Cave. From here, visitors will continue coming across a small road which is passing through a wild forest. This small road stretches 16km leading to the parking area of Paradise Cave. If you want to go straight to the entrance, electric vehicles are always available with the ticket of around 60,000 VND for one traveler. On the other hand, trekking in the primary forest is not a bad suggestion. Finally, to get to Paradise Cave, visitors will enjoy climbing more than 500 stone steps.
Other attractions in Phong Nha: Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, Phong Nha Cave, Dark Cave, Son Doong cave, Swallow cave.
