{"id":2246,"date":"2020-05-28T11:57:47","date_gmt":"2020-05-28T03:57:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/?p=2246"},"modified":"2020-09-14T22:37:29","modified_gmt":"2020-09-14T14:37:29","slug":"vietnam-kong-collapse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/vietnam-kong-collapse\/","title":{"rendered":"Vietnamese Explorers Rediscover Large Natural Cave System With A Magnificent Sinkhole"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kong Collapse in Phong Nha is arguably Vietnam\u2019s largest sinkhole<\/h2>\n
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For the past few days, several photos capturing the majestic scenery inside Kong Collapse, <\/strong>a gigantic sinkhole in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park<\/strong><\/a>, have taken the Internet by storm.<\/p>\n

First discovered in 1997 by a group of explorers from England, the sinkhole has only been open lately to qualified trekkers looking for a one-of-a-kind adventure.<\/p>\n

The Kong Collapse tour is also one the most demanding and costly expeditions<\/strong> in Vietnam, after only tours in Son Doong Cave<\/strong> nearby.<\/p>\n

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Kong Collapse – home to world\u2019s 4th largest cave<\/h3>\n
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Nested inside Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, Kong Collapse remains unfrequented by tourists and still retains its pristine and mysterious beauty. <\/strong><\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: <\/em>Jungle Boss<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Even though its precise depth in meters is yet to be confirmed, Kong Collapse is reported <\/strong>by many local newspapers to be the highest sinkhole in Vietnam, and probably one of the highest in the world.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\nCamping in a cave<\/em>
\nImage credit: <\/em>Jungle Boss<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

A sinkhole is a large hole in the ground caused by water erosion, often containing water from the earth\u2019s surface that flows into underground passages.<\/p>\n

This sinkhole, formerly known as Enclosed Doline, is now fittingly renamed Kong Collapse<\/strong>\u00a0because the entire sinkhole looks like the skull of King Kong from a bird’s eye view. <\/strong><\/p>\n

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Kong Collapse viewed from above
Image adapted from: <\/em>Jungle Boss<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This sinkhole was discovered in 1997 by British Caving Research Association (BCRA) with the help of local people. Inside the sinkhole, a magnificent cave system with three interconnected caves was also discovered, including Tiger Cave, Over Cave, and Pygmy Cave, which is the world’s 4th largest cave that is <\/strong>845M long and 94M deep. <\/strong><\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: <\/em>Jungle Boss<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

However, the explorers couldn’t find the exit of the cave system back then, and had to retreat. A few years ago, a group of Vietnamese explorers from a tour agency called Jungle Boss <\/strong>returned to explore the sinkhole and discovered all the entrances and exits of the cave system.<\/strong><\/p>\n

To access the sinkhole, the explorer team had to use different types of safety equipment, following the trail through the Tiger Cave and climbing rocky cliffs.<\/p>\n

With a lush tropical forest growing underneath, deep rivers, age-old rock formations, and a prehistoric ambiance, <\/b>Kong Collapse is like a planet of its own. Adventurers who don\u2019t flinch from going deeper into the unknown will, at a given point of the journey, be treated to spectacular sunbeams shining down the massive pit.<\/p>\n

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\nView from inside the sinkhole, looking up
\n<\/em>Image credit: <\/em>Jungle Boss<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Even though Kong Collapse has been open to adventurers who meet the physical criteria required for the expeditions, it is one of the toughest places in Vietnam to conquer and therefore looks untouched.
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\nImage credit: <\/em>Jungle Boss<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

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Explore Kong Collapse with Jungle Boss<\/h3>\n
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Expeditions into Tiger Cave and Pygmy Cave are now exclusively offered by Jungle Boss<\/a>, which is an adventure tour agency in the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park area.<\/p>\n

\"kongImage adapted from: <\/em>Jungle Boss<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Adventurous explorers with good physical stamina can embark on the 3-day expedition <\/strong>with the assistance of skilled tour guides.<\/p>\n

After trekking 1.6KM across Tiger Cave and 3.2 KM across Over Cave, explorers will climb down a 80M-high stalactite into the massive Pygmy Cave with a rope. The total length of forest walking trails is about 20KM.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\nImage adapted from: <\/em>QUANG BINH TOURISM<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

That\u2019s not all. You and your fellow explorers will be required to climb, swim<\/strong> for about 300M under 17\u00b0C – 18\u00b0C waters, and camp <\/strong>for 3 days in one of the most primeval places in Vietnam, without electricity and Wi-Fi, of course. Campers can wash up in a stream near the camping site.<\/p>\n

Those who\u2019re confident that they\u2019re capable of doing all that can now register a tour slot with Jungle Boss at VND9,650,000 (~USD414) <\/strong>per person. This fee includes a park entrance ticket, protective equipment, towel, camping items, and light meals.<\/p>\n

Keep your backpack light<\/strong> by bringing only essential items such as your camera and its charger, dehydrated food, some clothing, and baby powder to keep your feet dry.<\/p>\n

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Vietnam\u2019s Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park<\/h3>\n
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Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh Province is home to Vietnam\u2019s most pristine and mysterious caves, <\/strong>one of which is the renowned Son Doong, the world\u2019s largest cave.<\/p>\n

Apart from Son Doong Cave and Kong Collapse, the place also has plenty of out-of-this-world caves in unique horizontal and vertical shapes which remain in their original conditions.<\/p>\n

With more centuries-old wonders being unearthed, Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park in Vietnam is gradually becoming one of the most captivating destinations in Southeast Asia for those seeking the adventure of a lifetime.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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