Through adventure-tour operator Oxalis, and Northern Helicopter Company, helicopter tours to En Cave in Phong Nha—Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh Province were opened on April 24. The first two flights were from Dong Hoi to the world natural heritage Phong Nha Ke Bang.

  During the opening ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Huu Hoai- Chairman of Quang Binh People’s Committee stated that the new form of tourism not only meet the demands of tourists but also helps further explore the full tourism potential of the region.

  Before launching this service, this firm made many surveys to find the best places for helicopters. The ride will go around the 85,700-hectare park before flying above the Garden of Edam – a jungle near Son Doong, the world's largest cave. The helicopter will also alight at the entrance of En (Swift) Cave, to give tourists opportunity to explore the cave which goes 1,645 deep into the mountain.

    For tourists interested to take on the newly-introduced tour, they should be ready to shell out 3 million VND (140 USD) per head for a half-day tour. A two-day tour will cost 6.3 million VND (294 USD) per head.   Phong Nha – Ke Bang was granted UNESCO recognition in 2003 for its 400 million-year old caves and grottos. Son Doong cave, which is 150 meters high and 200 meters wide, got recognition in 2009 with a local man’s help. The cave was opened to tourists just last year.