Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Huu Hoai answers questions

With a total capital of cost USD212 million, the cable car system in Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park by the Sun Group (a real estate and resort developer in the nearby city of Da Nang) invested. A cable car system will comprise two stations with a total length of 10.5km, beginning at the entrance to Phong Nha cave and ending 300m from Son Doong cave. In other words, the tramway is planned to be suspended 50-250m above ground, tourists will have to walk into the cave to use the service... The cable car ride would allow any visitor to admire Son Doong and other attractions at the park without endeavoring on an adventurous tour. The project would entail erecting 30 pillars, each accounting for less than 10m2 of land and equipped with a camera to monitor forest fires. the cable car route is expected to carry 1,000 passengers an hour for around USD20.

According to PPC Nguyen Huu Hoai, the cable car project could benefit over 1,000 residents. He also confirmed that local authorities and residents are aware of the importance of preserving the heritage site. The cable system was needed to boost local tourism as the province was among the poorest in the country. Moreover, the cable system will also help forest rangers protect the site from illegal loggers and fire.

PPC Nguyen Huu Hoai said that ever since UNESCO recognized Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park as a world heritage in 2003, the province has been preserving and developing it in the hopes of socio - economic prosperity.

Provincial authorities submitted a report to the Ministry of Construction on the detailed plans for the cable car system, he said. They will ask for comments from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and UNESCO - Vietnam before approving it. If the project is not approved, the province would halt it in line with domestic and international law, PPC Nguyen Huu Hoai said.

Reported by Mai Anh
Translated by Minh Huyen