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The first phase of the 20th International Symposium on Volcanic Caves has concluded, featuring numerous presentations and scientific reports delivered and discussed by cave experts and photographers. Phase 2 now begins – the field survey of Dak Nong’s volcanic caves. Join us in the article below to follow the international cave experts on their journey to conquer the longest volcanic cave system in Southeast Asia.
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What do the Dak Nong volcanic caves have to offer?
During the 20th International Symposium on Volcanic Caves, held for the first time in Dak Nong, Vietnam, a wide range of topics were discussed in-depth. These included geomorphology, geology, culture, biodiversity, paleoanthropological traces, and sustainable tourism development plans for the region.
Vietnam’s Dak Nong volcanic cave system is the longest volcanic cave complex in Southeast Asia, featuring diverse geomorphology, geology, and biodiversity. This area has high potential for tourism development and requires research to ensure that development is linked with sustainable conservation. In addition, traces of prehistoric people found in some of Dak Nong’s volcanic caves have also captivated paleoanthropologists.
Furthermore, the lava flow sediments inside the caves, as well as the stunning formations of the lava tubes and cave entrances, are also key factors that have attracted the curiosity of cave photographers at this 20th International Symposium on Volcanic Caves.
The Formation Process of the Dak Nong Volcanic Cave System
The Dak Nong volcanic caves are part of the Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark. The formation of these caves has so far been determined to be solely related to the activity of the Nam Blang volcano (also known as Chu Bluk volcano), which is why these caves are also called the Chu Bluk volcanic caves.
With a total length of nearly 10,000 meters across a system of almost 50 large and small caves, it is recognized as the longest volcanic cave system in Southeast Asia.
Following Experts on a Survey of Dak Nong Volcanic Caves
Within the framework of this 20th International Symposium on Volcanic Caves, the fieldwork phase took place on November 25th and 26th, 2022. The survey sites included several typical caves in the Chu Bluk volcanic cave system, located in two main areas: the lava field in Buon Choah commune and the Dray Sap special-use forest area.
The survey team was divided into 3 small groups. Each day, every group would survey a specific area, with the locations assigned based on the experts’ interests and physical conditions. This process of dividing groups and rotating locations also helped the organizing committee to conveniently manage and ensure the safety of the international guests.
Exploring the Dak Nong Volcanic Caves in the Dray Sap Special-use Forest
C1 and C2 Volcanic Caves
The Dak Nong volcanic caves in the Dray Sap special-use forest area are located along a forest trail. The air here is very cool and the path is quite easy to navigate. The group of experts was guided on a walk of about 1km from the edge of the forest along the trail to reach the C1 and C2 volcanic caves.
The C1 and C2 volcanic caves are connected, and their two entrances are only a few dozen meters apart. To explore the inside of these two volcanic caves, the experts were assisted by a technical team to abseil down, holding onto a tree root at the entrance of cave C2. The depth of this entrance is relatively shallow, only about 3 meters, so the experts could easily descend to explore it.
C3 and C4 Volcanic Caves
After traveling another segment of just over 1km, the team reached the C3 and C4 Chu Bluk volcanic caves. The total length of these two caves is 903 meters.
These two Dak Nong volcanic caves have wide but relatively low entrances. Below are large lava boulders stacked on top of each other, requiring the experts to move carefully over them to climb down into the cave. The descent was not difficult, but the experts’ safety was still ensured with protective gear such as helmets and flashlights.
C6 and C6-1 Volcanic Caves – The Dak Nong volcanic caves with traces of prehistoric people
Leaving the C4 volcanic cave, the group of experts was guided a short distance further to a makeshift resting point. This spot, located at the turn-off to the C6 cave, was already set up with tables, chairs, and a shelter. Here, the experts took a break to replenish their water and food, getting ready for the journey to conquer the remaining Dak Nong volcanic caves.
From the resting point, it’s another 400m walk to reach the C6 and C6-1 volcanic caves. The descent into these two caves is relatively easy compared to the other Dak Nong volcanic caves.
The entrance to the C6 volcanic cave is quite wide and covered in patches of lush green moss. On either side of the C6 entrance are two branches of the C6-1 cave. One of these branches, noted for containing traces of prehistoric people, is carefully fenced off. The other C6-1 branch has a beautifully formed round, tube-like structure. However, in the C6 and C6-1 area, the experts were not allowed to explore too deeply inside the caves because the ceiling is considered thin and not safe for deep exploration.
Abseiling to Conquer the C7 Volcanic Cave – The Longest Chu Bluk Volcanic Cave in Southeast Asia
The C7 Chu Bluk volcanic cave is located about 3km from cave C6. To explore inside the C7 volcanic cave, the experts were fully equipped with safety harnesses, helmets, lights, and gloves to abseil down the entrance, which is more than 10 meters deep.
Most of the international experts and cave photographers already had professional rope climbing experience and skills, so descending into the cave was not too difficult for them.
During the survey, a Dutch cave expert discovered several new branches of the C7 volcanic cave, increasing its length from 1067m to 1266m and solidifying its position as the longest Chu Bluk volcanic cave in Southeast Asia.
>> You can see a detailed review of the Volcano Cave C7 exploration trip here!
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Following the experts to explore the Buôn Choah volcanic caves
Exploring the C8 volcanic cave – acclaimed by experts as the most scenic
The C8 Chu Bluk volcanic cave is located on the lava field in Buôn Choah commune, Krông Nô district. The group of experts began by walking for over 2km along a path on the lava field, passing the Nâm Blang volcano to reach the mouth of the C8 volcanic cave.
The entrance to this Dak Nong volcanic cave has a spiral structure, so the experts needed to climb down large stone steps to reach the cave mouth – a place of stunning beauty when sunlight shines in.
The C8 Chu Bluk volcanic cave has three main branches with a round, tube-like structure and is very dark. The cave floor is quite damp. Here, the experts were free to survey the inside of the cave.
Surveying the C9 volcanic cave
The C9 Chu Bluk volcanic cave is only about 800 meters from cave C8. After exploring C8, the experts stopped for lunch and to get more water at a nearby makeshift resting point before continuing for another 15 minutes to the southern entrance of the C9 volcanic cave.
The southern entrance has a low ceiling, is relatively narrow, and is dark due to the many volcanic bombs piled on top of each other. However, a journey through the 131-meter-long cave leads to the northern entrance. This entrance is extremely large, and patches of lush green ferns cascade down around the mouth, creating a stunning landscape for the C9 Chu Bluk volcanic cave.
Conquering the Deepest Dak Nong Volcanic Cave – The P8 Volcanic Cave
Exploring inside the P8 volcanic cave was an exciting challenge for the experts. They had to abseil 26 meters down into a very dark cave. Besides the necessary safety gear and abseiling skills, endurance was also a key factor that helped the experts conquer the P8 cave with ease.
The P8 volcanic cave has a vast interior, in complete contrast to its narrow entrance, which is only about 2 meters wide. The still-visible lava flows inside the cave also captivated the international experts and cave photographers, who explored it to their heart’s content.
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Conquering the Nam Blang Volcano Crater
The Nam Blang volcano (Chu Bluk volcano) is also located on the lava field in Buôn Choah commune, not far from the C8 and C9 volcanic caves. The ascent to the summit of the Nam Blang volcano took about 15 minutes of continuous, vertical movement from the base of the mountain to the crater rim.
This was quite strenuous because there is absolutely no shade on the lava field, making it extremely hot. Nevertheless, the experts completed their journey successfully. Upon reaching the crater rim, they turned around to take in the panoramic view of the vast and magnificent lava field.
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Exploring the beautiful waterfalls of the Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark
During the fieldwork phase of this 20th International Symposium on Volcanic Caves, besides surveying the volcanic caves and the volcano itself, the group of experts also visited several beautiful waterfalls along the “Epic of Fire and Water” tourist route, such as Gia Long, Lụa, and Dray Sap waterfalls.
According to the organizers’ schedule, the survey phase of the Dak Nong volcanic caves was set to end on November 26, 2022. However, due to the division of groups and a rotating schedule for each area, there were still a few volcanic caves that the experts did not have enough time to survey. Therefore, some experts and photographers stayed for two more days to explore all of the representative Dak Nong volcanic caves.
Interesting takeaways from surveying the Dak Nong volcanic caves with international experts
After days of following international cave experts and photographers to explore each of the Dak Nong volcanic caves, many interesting things stood out from the trip:
- The experts had an incredibly calm and professional yet friendly demeanor. They were always ready to ask questions and happily discuss any issue with everyone.
- They possessed superior rope skills. One photographer, who is over 70 years old, only took about 5 minutes to ascend the 26-meter-deep P8 cave, a feat that would take an average person more than 15 minutes.
- Their passion for their work was admirable. In some difficult caves that were dark, low, and damp, the experts still explored without missing a single corner.
- They have the ability to work independently without relying on others. Their proactiveness was also a valuable lesson I learned from the trip.
The survey process of the Dak Nong volcanic caves has been completed, also concluding the 20th International Symposium on Volcanic Caves with definite success. Beyond cultural exchange and showcasing the province’s diversity in geomorphology, geology, and heritage, it was also a great opportunity for tourism in Dak Nong province in particular, and Vietnam as a whole, to connect with and learn from international friends to build a path for sustainable development.
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