Son Doong was honored twice by the Guinness Book

The Guinness Book of Records has twice honored Son Doong as the world's largest cave. Phong Nha National Park is proposing that Quang Binh province organize the announcement of this record.

Son Doong Cave has been honored twice by the Guinness Book of Records. Photo: Ryan Deboodt

In 2013, the Guinness Book of Records announced the world record for the largest cave for Son Doong Cave, with information such as geographical location, discoverer and explorer, and parameters of the cave. At this time, Quang Binh province has not yet organized the announcement of this event.

By 2014, there was controversy over the criteria to become the world's largest cave, such as based on length, width, height or volume... Therefore, in 2014, the Guinness Book of Records did not include Son Doong Cave in the record list.

One year later, Son Doong Cave continued to be entered into the Book of Records as the world's largest cave in terms of volume (38.5 million m3).

Mr. Le Thanh Tinh, Director of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park (Quang Binh) said that the Guinness Book of Records does not issue certificates for natural records.

“The record for the largest cave belongs to Son Doong Cave, discovered by the British Royal Cave Association, but this organization does not certify anyone,” said Mr. Tinh.

Thus, Son Doong Cave located in Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park has been honored twice by the Guinness Book of Records.

Mr. Tinh said Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park is preparing a document, proposing that Quang Binh province soon organize an announcement that Son Doong Cave is recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the largest cave in the world.

According to expert Howard Limbert, the total length of Son Doong Cave is nearly 9 km. Photo: Ryan Deboodt

The Guinness Book of Records was first published in the UK in 1954, and is published annually, documenting world records created by humans and nature. It is a popular book, itself holding the record for being the world's best-selling copyrighted book series.

Meanwhile, the World Records Union (WorldKings) was established in 2002 with the aim of creating data on world records.

Mr. Tinh said that being recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest cave was very honorable, and there was no need for further announcement by another record organization.

Son Doong Cave was first discovered by a local in 1990. 20 years later, experts from the British Royal Caving Association completed their exploration of the cave, and published it in National Geographic magazine.

See more: The giant wall in Son Doong cave

According to VNE