Geological and cultural landmarks identified in Vietnam and Cambodia

Significant geological and cultural discoveries have been highlighted in Southeast Asia. In Vietnam’s Lai Chau Province, a massive 10 km geological formation known locally as the ‘rock dragon’ has been identified in the Nậm Vời - Pú Đao area. Experts from the Institute of Earth Sciences describe it as a Nậm Vời mud and rock flood stream that has been active for nearly 100 years. The formation, which varies in width from 100 to 600 meters, consists of soil, boulders, and pebbles deposited by natural disasters. Its winding shape resembles a dragon when viewed from above, similar to geological structures found in Switzerland, China, and Japan.

In Cambodia, the Kbal Spean site in Siem Reap Province, known as the ‘River of a Thousand Lingas,’ features over 1,000 ancient carvings. According to the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism and the APSARA National Authority, Yoni and Linga symbols have been carved directly into the sandstone riverbed. These carvings, spanning a 200-meter stretch, sit just inches below the water surface, making them visible to visitors when water levels are appropriate.