BBC filmmakers chose Son Doong Cave (in Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, Central of Vietnam) to be included in the movie Planet Earth III - one of the top nature documentary television programmes worldwide - premiered on the evening of 26th November on BBC One, highlighting Son Doong Cave with breathtaking footage captured by top documentary filmmakers. The document invites viewers to explore pristine regions across the planet. The series showcases the wonders of nature, featuring incredible animals and their extraordinary stories.

Photo: Oxalis Adventure

Filming Son Doong took place from 27th January to 19th February 2022 with the support of Oxalis Adventure (Quang Binh Province). The BBC crew, led by producer Theo Webb, included six members and production teams from the US and UK. They brought over one ton of filming equipment to capture Vietnam's natural beauty. The crew braved challenging conditions to capture the awe-inspiring beauty of Son Doong Cave, En Cave, Va Cave, and Nuoc Nut Cave.

“Extremes” was nominated for “Outstanding Cinematography For A Nonfiction Programme”, which highlights the team's exceptional skill in overcoming formidable challenges to create breathtaking and impactful cinematography. This is along with nomination for Outstanding Music Composition For A Documentary Series Or Special (Original Dramatic Score), which recognises excellence in creating original and powerful music that enhances the storytelling in documentaries.

Son Doong Cave is the world's largest cave located in the core area of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park (in Quang Binh Province), which has the largest limestone mountain system in Southeast Asia, and a large limestone cave system. From 1990 to 2022, more than 450 large and small caves have been explored by the British - Vietnamese cave expert teams.

Photo: Oxalis Adventure

Son Doong Cave was discovered by a local man named Ho Khanh in 1990 and then explored by British-Vietnamese cave experts in 2009-2010. Cave experts and National Geographic magazine have announced that Son Doong is the largest natural cave in the world with a volume of 37.5 million m³. It has been put into operation in the form of adventure tourism since 2013.

Son Doong cave is nestled in Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh Province - the largest national park in Vietnam covering an area of around 1,233km2. Being crowned as the world’s largest cave, this marvellous natural wonder hides a whole world inside it: river, jungle and climate. Its name means “River Mountain Cave,” with 150 metres by width, 200 metres by height, and up to over 9 kilometres by length, this cave could accommodate a giant skyscraper.

Here, visitors can find unique cave’s ‘pearls’ and small creatures, insects and also the wildlife animals, such as monkeys, birds, bats, and blind fish.