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A new lake has been discovered inside the pristine Thung Cave within the World’s Natural Heritage Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh province.
(Photo courtesy of Quangbinh Tourism) |
It was discovered during an expedition by the Junglee Boss adventure tourism company and announced by Director of the company Le Luu Dung.
The lake is located around one kilometre from the entrance of the cave, in one of the most pristine caverns in the area, situated deep within a strictly protected zone of the national park.
It was found in an area about 15 metres higher than the main underground river branch inside the cave, making it look like it was 'floating' on the cave wall.
The lake is surrounded by stalactite columns with an underground river system underneath it. The newly-discovered lake has a transparent emerald green colour and has been tentatively named Lo Lung (floating) lake due to its unique location.
The source of water flowing into the lake has not yet been determined, with the exploration team also discovering a passage along the cave wall of Thung Cave that traverses the main underground river branch.
According to Dung, the team members were unable to determine the lake's water source due to a lack of the necessary depth-sensing equipment, but plan on returning for further surveys and explorations in the area in the near future, he added.
The Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, which covers over 123,000ha, is home to many terrestrial and aquatic habitats, primary and secondary forests, sites of natural regeneration and tropical dense forests. It is also rich in large, often spectacular and scientifically significant caves, including Son Doong - the world's largest cave.
The area has twice been named as a world natural heritage site, first in July 2003, when UNESCO recognised the park for its exceptional global value in terms of geology and geomorphology.
Twelve years later, in July 2015, the park was once again honoured, this time for its outstanding value in terms of evolutionary and development processes of terrestrial ecosystems which provide meaningful natural habitats for biodiversity conservation.
Vietnam shortlisted in multiple categories of 2024 World Travel Awards
Vietnam has been nominated in several major categories at the prestigious World Travel Awards (WTA) 2024 for the Asia and Oceania region, NDO reported the data of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.
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| Hoi An City in Quang Nam Province has been nominated in the category of Asia's Leading Culture City Destination 2024. (Photo: Duy Hau) |
The country is among the nominees for the awards of Asia's Leading Beach Destination 2024, Asia's Leading Culture Destination 2024, Asia's Leading Destination 2024, Asia's Leading Heritage Destination 2024, Asia's Leading Natural Destination 2024, and Asia's Leading Youth Travel Destination 2024.
The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism made one of the shortlists for Asia's Leading Tourism Board Award.
The Tourism Departments of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are named candidates for the Asia's Leading City Tourist Board 2024 title, while Quang Nam Provincial Tourism Department is considered one of Asia's Leading Regional City Tourist Board 2024.
In addition, Ho Chi Minh City has its name on the list of nominees for Asia’s Leading Business Travel Destination award. Together with Da Nang, the city also received a nomination as Asia's Festival and Event Destination 2024.
Hanoi capital city is nominated in two categories, including Asia’s Leading City Break Destination, and Asia's Leading City Destination 2024.
Hoi An of Quang Nam Province and Hue of Thua Thien - Hue Province are candidates for Asia’s Leading Cultural City Destination title.
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| Hoi An ancient town (Source: VNA) |
Meanwhile, Ha Giang and Ha Nam provinces, are among the nominees for Asia’s Leading Emerging Tourism Destination award. Ha Nam Province also made it to the shortlist of Asia's Leading Regional Cultural Destination 2024.
Phu Quoc Island in Kien Giang Province and Moc Chau District in Son La Province were selected as finalists in the categories of Asia's Leading Luxury Island Destination, and Asia's Leading Regional Natural Destination 2024, respectively.
Vietnam’s tourism has also received many other nominations in the fields of aviation, hotels, and travel agencies.
The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism is calling for votes for the country via the World Travel Awards’ official website at https://www.worldtravelawards.com. The voting for the Asian and Oceania regions has been opened and will last through July 23.
Sapa launches smart tourism application
Sa Pa Tour, a smart tourism application of Sapa Township in Lao Cai Province, was officially launched by the local People’s Committee on May 10.
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| Delegates at the launch ceremony (Photo: baolaocai.vn) |
According to NDO, speaking at the launch ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Sapa Town People's Committee, Cao Ba Quy, said that Sa Pa has huge potential and advantages for tourism development.
Realising its goals of welcoming about 11 million tourists by 2023, Sapa has worked to enhance infrastructure, develop new tourist products, and digitise tourism activities.
Developed based on advanced technology, the Sa Pa Tour application digitises five services, including local tourist attractions, local culture, traditional products, cuisine, and tourist activities.
The application is designed to benefit three subjects: tourism management agencies; local businesses, organisations and individuals operating in the hospitality sector; and tourists.
Accordingly, visitors to Sapa can easily create a smart travel itinerary to explore destinations in Sapa Town in the shortest time and distance.
In addition, the application provides users with necessary services, such as tourist attractions, restaurants, hotels, products, and traditional specialties, which local management agencies have reviewed.
Sa Pa Tour application also helps travel businesses advertise their services to both domestic and international customers, with the support of local management agencies./.