The Quang Binh provincial People’s Committee has extended the period of time for exploration tours in Viet Nam’s Son Doong Cave, the largest cave in the world, and has permitted Oxalis Adventure Tours to continue organising tours to the cave in 2016.
Accordingly, the same itinerary and number of tourists and tours will be maintained as in 2015. Each tour will last for five days and four nights with a maximum of ten people; the total number of tourists for 2016 is set at a maximum of 500.
Oxalis said that the tours will open for booking in August on its website: www.oxalis.com.vn at VND66 million (US$3,000) per person. Tourists must provide accurate information on their health status for medical consultation before being accepted to join the tour.
Tourists also have the opportunity to join tours exploring Tu Lan and Va Caves under lower costs, fewer challenges and less strict health requirements.
Oxalis, based in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh Province, has been organising tours to Son Dong Cave since August 2013. Oxalis has often sold out limited tours well before they start. Tours in 2015 were sold out by July of 2014.
Son Doong, which is 150 metres high and 200 metres wide, became known worldwide in 2009 when it was explored by members of the British Cave Research Association led by Howard Limbert and his wife Deb Limbert, guided by local resident Ho Khanh.