Ta Hoa Phuong, president of Vietnam Association of Paleontology and Stratigraphy, has asked the prime minister to scrap the cable car project in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

After the prime minister approved the project, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism were asked to work with local authorities to carry out an environmental impact assessment. Quang Binh authorities gave permission to FLC Group to carry out a field survey to build the 5.2km cable system connecting the HCM Highway with En Cave where thousands of swallows live.

According to the experts, transferring passengers to En Cave is no different than bringing them straight to the entrance of Son Doong Cave as they are only 2km away from each other. Moreover, a cable car system is rarely used to explore caves, especially caves with raw beauty like En or Son Doong Cave. 

The new cable system will be able to transfer thousands of people to Son Doong Cave a day instead of the current capability of 600 passengers a day.

Phuong said, "It will surely attract visitors and have good economic results. But the noise, rubbish and possible inappropriate behaviour from visitors are a threat to the biodiversity at Phong Nha-Ke Bang. That's why many cable car projects have been opposed by scientists and the public."

There are opinions that the current adventure tours are most suitable and will affect the caves the least. The adventure tours help promote Quang Binh and tourists who come for Son Doong stay to explore other caves such as En, Toi, Thien Duong and Va caves.

"Once these places are damaged, our tourism reputation will be badly affected. That's why we need to protect the caves and special natural heritage for future generations. We can't sacrifice everything for business," Phuong said.

He went on to say that he did not oppose cable car project in general but it should not be done in the inner part of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. He worried that Son Doong Cave would be damaged if visitors only need to walk a short distance to get to the cave.

Son Doong is the world's biggest cave with some of the tallest known stalagmites. There are a large, fast-flowing subterranean river and its own trees and other vegetation.

dtinews