Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park sinkhole discovery

A massive natural sinkhole, approximately 120 meters deep, has been discovered and surveyed in the Cha Noi – Khe Gat area of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. The discovery was announced on October 22, 2026, by Le Luu Dung, Director of Jungle Boss Company Limited, following a collaborative expedition involving experts from the National Speleological Society (NSS) and the park's management board.

The sinkhole features an oval-shaped opening measuring roughly 190 by 140 meters. The interior structure expands downward in an inverted bowl shape, reaching a length of 250 meters and a width of 200 meters at its base. The floor of the sinkhole hosts a lush, pristine primeval forest ecosystem characterized by numerous ancient trees and significant geological features.

The site was initially identified by cave expert Kevin Ditamore through satellite imagery on Google Earth, which revealed an unusual dark patch amidst the limestone terrain. Following drone reconnaissance, a formal expedition of 24 members—including cave specialists, technical staff, and forest rangers—conducted a deep survey from July 23 to 29, 2025. The team had to navigate over 20 kilometers of dense forest and sharp limestone mountains under difficult conditions to reach the site and descend using specialized safety rigging.