SON DOONG CAVE EXPEDITION - A DECADE OF BUSINESS EXCELLENCE

From 2014 to 2024, an impressive 7,552 adventurers have embarked on the extraordinary journey to conquer Sơn Đoòng Cave, with some intrepid explorers returning for 2 to 8 repeat expeditions. The Sơn Đoòng Cave Expedition Tour generated a total revenue of 528 billion VND, contributing over 167 billion VND to the provincial state budget, including 102 billion VND from entrance and forest environment fees and 65 billion VND in taxes.

Explorers from around the world have ventured into the depths of Sơn Đoòng. The top five countries represented are Vietnam (3,123 explorers), the United States (1,851), Australia (461), the United Kingdom (280), and Canada (224), along with many others from various countries.

Each year, only 1,000 adventurers are permitted to explore Sơn Đoòng Cave, while nearly 40,000 embark on other captivating cave tours in Phong Nha - Kẻ Bàng and nearby areas. This has made Phong Nha - Kẻ Bàng the largest destination in the world for cave exploration tourism. Additionally, with nearly 1 million visitors annually, Phong Nha - Kẻ Bàng National Park has become the most visited national park in Vietnam.

Sơn Đoòng has played a pivotal role in putting Phong Nha - Kẻ Bàng on the global tourism map, transforming it into a must-visit destination for both domestic and international visitors. It has also helped transform the once-struggling village of Phong Nha into a vibrant tourist town. This aligns with Quảng Bình Province's development goals in recent years: to preserve and enhance the value of the world heritage site.

Sơn Đoòng has created 130 direct jobs for the local community, providing opportunities in portering, cooking, safety assistance, guiding, and more. Previously, most of these people relied on farming and exploiting forest resources like logging and hunting. When Phong Nha - Kẻ Bàng National Park was established, logging and wildlife hunting became illegal. Today, their lives are more stable, and many can afford to send their children to university or work in local tourism companies.

Sơn Đoòng has also inspired the development of many cave exploration tourism products in Quảng Bình and other parts of Vietnam. Moreover, it has become a model for product development in countries like Laos and Indonesia.

The development strategy for Sơn Đoòng is inspired by the branding approach used for Mount Everest. Since 1953, 7,269 climbers have summited Everest, with over 12,000 successful climbs (as some individuals have ascended multiple times). Each year, about 800 people plan to conquer the world's highest peak, though not all make it to the Everest summit. Every day, over 500 visitors trek to Everest Base Camp (EBC), and annually, around 100,000 visitors explore Sagarmatha National Park. Climbing Mount Everest remains a dream for millions worldwide.

Just like Everest, Sơn Đoòng continues to inspire awe and ignite the adventurous spirit in explorers from around the world.

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