A local company has launched tours to Vietnam’s first-ever volcanic cave system, which also boasts Southeast Asia's longest and second longest grottos.

The volcanic cave system, located in Krong No District of Dak Nong Province in the Central Highlands, consists of 12 caves.

The He Tre Co., a travel firm based in Ho Chi Minh City, has just begun operating tours which allow tourists to explore Caves C3 and C6 of the system.

Cave C3, which measures 594.4 meters in length and is cylindrical in shape, is considered Southeast Asia’s second longest, according to the Japan Caving Association (JCA), which has conducted exhaustive exploration of and research on the system for several years.

Meanwhile, Cave C6, which received a team of JCA experts in January this year, boasts unique, resplendent charms.

This is one of the few caves with a natural gas pit formed from masses of gas emitted during previous eruptions, experts observed.

The pit allows sun beams to leak through and dance on the cliffs, creating a gorgeous spectacle.

The recently launched tours will also include trips to other scenic spots and participation in a gong performance and exchange held by members of the M’Nong ethnic minority group, which is indigenous to the area.

The entrance to Cave C3. Photo: Tuoi Tre

In 2007, scientists from the General Department of Geology and Minerals of Vietnam detected some volcanic caves in Krong No District and JCA experts have since joined their Vietnamese counterparts in further explorations.

The discovery of the volcanic system was announced in late December last year by experts from the general department and the JCA after seven years of research.

The system, which is a unique natural heritage of the volcanic eruption process that took place millions of years ago, is the first to have been discovered in Vietnam.

Three of the 12 volcanic caves have been measured in detail.

The discovery is of immense significance to international geological and archeological studies, as very few places in the world are home to such a system of volcanic caves and craters as that in Krong No, experts noted.

Dr. Hiroshi Tachihara, honorary president of the JCA, who has explored caves for the past 40 years, told a previous press conference that five of Southeast Asia’s six longest volcanic caves belong to the Krong No District volcanic cave system.

Among them, Cave C7, which measures 1,066.5 meters in length, has been recognized as Southeast Asia’s longest and most spectacular.

Dak Nong authorities are conceiving a project to build a geological park (geopark) that houses the 12 volcanic caves, with a view to obtaining UNESCO recognition of the place as a global geopark in the future, a senior official said following its discovery.

The project will be submitted to the prime minister and relevant agencies for consideration, the official said.    The JCA exploration team, who is credited with measuring, researching, and helping announce the discovery of the volcanic cave system, returned to the site in January this year for further research.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!