A delegation of ambassadors in Vietnam has recently finished a trip to explore Son Doong, the world’s biggest cave in the central region.

The group includes ambassadors from the Czech Republic, Argentina, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Australia.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Tom Malinowski, Secretary-General of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO Pham Sanh Chau, Miss Universe Vietnam 2008 runner-up Duong Truong Thien Ly, and entrepreneur Dinh Minh also joined them on the trip.

The ambassadors conducted the trip from May 11 to 17 using their own funds in order to make their “dream come true,” as Ambassador from the Czech Republic Martin Klepetko said at a meeting with the People’s Committee of Quang Binh Province, where Son Doong is located, last week.

The 5-day-4-night excursion was to promote Vietnamese tourism as well as Son Doong Cave to the world.

The diplomats said the trip was not as tough as they had imagined, and the fairytale-like scenes as well as the feelings from the expedition were far beyond their expectations.

The explorers listen when a tour guide talks about poisonous trees which they should not touch on the way. Photo: Tuoi Tre

L to R: Giles Lever, Cecilia Piccioni and Camilla Mellander, Ambassadors of the UK, Italy, and Sweden, visit a class in Doong Village on the way to Son Doong. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The delegation poses in front of En Cave, the first stay of the expedition to Son Doong Cave. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The ambassadors talk to the porters when they stayed in En Cave. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The explorers walk through a spring during their trip. Photo: Tuoi Tre

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Tom Malinowski swings down an 80m hole. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Secretary-General of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO Pham Sanh Chau is seen with a wound on his heel. Some ambassadors also sustained injuries caused by leeches or rocks. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Martin Klepetko, Hugh Borrowman, and Cecilia Piccioni, Ambassadors of the Czech Republic, Australia and Italy, put on protective gear before passing a spring. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The trip was tiring but all the delegates tried their best to overcome obstacles and follow experts’ safety rules. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Beauty queen Duong Truong Thien Ly enjoys cool water in the cave. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Secretary-General of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO Pham Sanh Chau stands on a rock called “Hand of Dog” before reaching the first doline in Son Doong. Photo: Tuoi Tre

L from R: Ambassadors of the Czech Republic, Australia, Sweden, the UK, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, and Ambassador of Italy sing together under the magical light in the first sinkhole. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Beauty queen Duong Truong Thien Ly and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Tom Malinowski pose for a picture after they played a game with the trip’s porters. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The diplomats pose with their national flags at the first sinkhole. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Australian Ambassador Hugh Borrowman stands on the famous “heaven rock” of Son Doong Cave. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A part of the forest at the cave’s second sinkhole. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The delegation has dinner together. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The diplomats sing together in the cave.

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