Inner Sanctum

(12-03-2006)

Scientist reveals beauty of VN’s caves

Professor Nguyen Quang My has used his passion, enthusiasm and courage to explore and study Viet Nam’s cave networks, helping to promote the country’s reputation for natural beauty and to make sure these treasures are preserved. Bach Lien goes spelunking.

Professor Nguyen Quang My has explored cave systems in Viet Nam for over 30 years. As the president of Viet Nam's Association of Caves and Grottoes and the chief of the Geography Department at the College of Natural of Science under the Ha Noi National University, he and his colleagues have discovered countless subterranean wonders, particularly limestone caves, that have helped to spread Viet Nam's reputation for natural beauty. My graduated from prestigious Lomonosov University in Moscow in the field of geomorphology in 1966. Since his return to his homeland, My's limestone cave studies, along with research carried out with his colleagues at the department with the help of the British Royal Caving Association, have cast a spotlight on Viet Nam's spectacular subterranean environment. My's research studies helped to establish cave systems such as those at Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park as world heritage sites and also aided in the development of the nation's tourism sector.

Inner Sanctum: When did you begin to specialise in the exploration of limestone caves and why did you decide to specialise in this field?

I began to specialise in limestone caves, or karsts, in 1972. From 1972 to 1975, with four other teachers at the university and five students, I went to the northern province of Lang Son to search for limestone karst. We succeeded in finding about 40 karsts in the region, the longest stretching for 2km and the shortest for 300m. Here, karsts are found in every region and especially in Bac Son, Binh Giang districts, and the border between Viet Nam and China.

I was trained as a master of geomorphology. Studying limestone caves or karst is very suitable for geomorphology experts like me.

Inner Sanctum: What is it like to be a cave explorer?

In the field of geomorphology, studying karst is the hardest job.

To achieve good results, a scientist needs to have enthusiasm, passion, courage and a strong determination. They can not be afraid of overcoming challenges and difficulties.

To discover karsts and succeed in measuring and mapping them out, you have to be ready to experience very difficult living conditions. There were months when we only ate instant noodles, and slept while sitting. We were not allowed to light a fire in the cave so, we couldn't cook. It's impossible for us to sleep outside, it might be very dangerous if tigers pick up our trail. Sleeping in the cave makes us very cold. In limestone caves the temperature during the evening gets very low. In addition, when exploring caves, despite our torch lights, visibility is low. This means we always risk missing our footing and falling. A British specialist broke his leg in 1998. It's difficult to mention all the challenges we meet.

Inner Sanctum: Why are you so passionate about your job?

Like many other scientists, I always wish to do something for my country and its people.

I am happy that my efforts along with the efforts of other geologists at the College of Natural Science in Ha Noi were not in vain and Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park was recognised as a world heritage. But we have to do more to ensure the importance of the park's biological diversity is recognised.

Inner Sanctum: Is cave exploration an exhilarating pursuit?

The job always gives me a special feeling. I took part in the exploration of Phong Nha 30 years ago, but cannot forget the passion, excitement and puzzle I experienced when in the earth's womb, bobbing on the water's surface. We explorers are all people who like adventures. We find great joy in being the first people to do something.

Inner Sanctum: In 1997, you declared the result of your studies of Phong Nha-Ke Bang karst at a scientific conference in Dong Hoi, Quang Binh. How successful was the research?

The findings I announced on Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park produced a stir among scientists.

Before, no one knew about Phong Nha karst and its importance due to several unique characteristics. It has one of the longest cave waterway systems, a towering entrance, picturesque shallow pools and the largest and most beautiful grottoes. Some of the most spectacular sights are the magnificent and unusual stalagmites and stalactites, the long subterranean river and the most beautiful stone and sand beaches. It was recognised as a world heritage site by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) in 2003.

In 1994 and 1997 we made two films on Phong Nha–Ke Bang Park, which were screened frequently during Vietnam Airlines' flights. This has encouraged thousands of foreign tourists to come to Phong Nha–Ke Bang.

Inner Sanctum: Phong Nha - Ke Bang has become a famous tourism region in Viet Nam, bringing about VND2 billion to the country. What do you think is the future for tourism in the region?

It is estimated that the place could attract haft a million tourists by 2010. It's amazing that private and State-owned hotels here are fully occupied in summer. Now, the region hosts several hundred guest-houses and small hotels.

In the future, Son Trach town will become a tourism town. Now I am trying to discover one more thing in Phong Nha-Ke Bang – a dinosaur. I hope in the coming years, I will find its fossil. If I succeed, we can make the area a true international tourism region. In the coming years, if I can- not do it, I hope my children and students will help me continue this work.

Inner Sanctum: What does the State have to do in order to develop tourism at Vietnamese caves?

The Government should focus on the training of guides for cave tourism. They must understand safety principles for caves in order to ensure visitors do not have accidents. Guides must also know how to protect the environment.

The Viet Nam Tourism Administration should invest more in Quang Binh, which is a poor province that is trying to develop. Viet Nam should think of organising a week-long tourism festival at Phong Nha-Ke Bang every year to attract more tourists.

Inner Sanctum: Further afield across Viet Nam, are there any other regions that may compete against Phong Nha-Ke Bang as a destination for cave-lovers?

Cave tourism has begun to develop in provinces such as Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Quang Binh, Ninh Binh and Hoa Binh. Recently, 300 big caves were discovered in the limestone regions of Son La, Dien Bien and Lai Chau. The Tua Chua and Phong Tho areas in Lai Chau Province house magnificient caveslike the Ta Chinh Cave, 2,015m long and 286m deep; the SiLeng Chai Cave 1,162m long and 286 m deep. In particular the Cong Nuoc Cave is a magnificent destination, the deepest cave system in Southeast Asia. There is huge potential to develop cave tourism and adventure tourism in Viet Nam. — VNS