Two men awarded Labour Order for discovering Phong Nha – Ke Bang cave

Ho Khanh from Bo Trach district, Quang Binh province and cave expert Howard Limbert from the British Royal Cave Research Association (BRCR) were awarded the Labour Order, third class, at a ceremony held in Quang Binh province on May 28.

Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Huu Hoai (L) congratulates cave expert Howard Limbert at the ceremony
Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Huu Hoai (L) congratulates cave expert Howard Limbert at the ceremony

The accolades were presented in recognition of the two men’s discovery and expedition of Phong Nha-Ke Bang cave in the province, thus contributing to increasing tourism in Quang Binh.

Ho Khanh, 46 years old, discovered Son Doong cave in 2009. So far he has supported the BRCR experts in exploring 20 other caves in the Phong Nha-Ke Bang cave system.

Since his first expedition to Phong Nha-Ke Bang in 1990, 59-year-old Howard Limbert has conducted many other surveys, explorations and researches into the cave complex.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Huu Hoai highly appreciated Limbert for his dedication and attachment to Quang Binh and the Phong Nha-Ke Bang cave system.

He stressed that Limbert has helped introduced the vast and unique potential of the Phong Nha-Ke Bang cave to the world, thus booting tourism in the province.

He also expressed his hope that Khanh and Limbert would unearth new caves in the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park complex.