Previously, the plan to cross BTVN and go through Son Doong Cave, proposed by experts from the British Royal Caving Association to Oxalis Company, was chosen at locations that would have the least impact on stalactites and the cave environment.
In particular, the 65m section over the wall using vines only goes on a 0.5m wide surface and moves one person at a time, so it has little impact on the stalactite layer on the original rock... After receiving many different opinions, the People's Committee of Quang Binh province has directed relevant agencies to survey the opening of a tour according to this plan.
The survey results of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Quang Binh province show that the installation of ladders in Son Doong cave is a technical solution that may affect geological processes but not significantly. Because the ladder installed to cross BTVN has three drill holes to hold the top of the ladder, including two old drill holes of the expedition teams of the British Royal Caving Association.
The ladder body has a support point against the stalactite wall but is lined with rubber pads to avoid too much impact on the wall. The 65 m long slope at the top of the ladder still uses ropes for visitors to climb to the top of BTVN, with 23 holes drilled to attach safety ropes, including 15 old holes drilled by expedition teams.
According to the tour operator, Oxalis Company, the new trial tour route through Son Doong cave has a duration of 4 days and 3 nights (reduced by one day and one night compared to the old route) carried out from May 21 to August 31, with nine tours and the number of guests is 188 people, which has been highly effective. Visitors do not have to return to the old route to get out of the cave and is suitable for most visitors when they feel comfortable because the trip is not too long.
The installation of a ladder to cross the BTVN has been effective in the event of sudden floodwaters, allowing visitors to cross the BTVN to escape, without having to wait several days for the water to recede. The route through the cave also improves the overall conservation efficiency of the entire route, minimizing direct impacts as visitors do not have to return to the old route.
For the above reasons, the People's Committee of Quang Binh province allowed Oxalis Company to officially operate tours through Son Doong cave from 2018, with a duration of 4 days and 3 nights.
It is known that in 2017, there were 740 people participating in the tour to Conquer Son Doong - the largest cave in the world.
