At the 2026 World Travel Awards—widely regarded as the "Oscars of the Global Travel Industry" — Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park (Quang Tri Province) was honored across two prestigious international categories:

• Asia's Leading Natural Tourist Attraction 2026

• World's Leading Caving Attraction 2026

Winning this double crown highlights the international prestige of Phong Nha – Ke Bang, recognizing years of dedicated conservation and responsible tourism management.

1. The Journey to Winning the "Oscars of Travel" 2026

Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards (WTA) acknowledge and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries. Results are determined through votes cast by international travel experts, tourism authorities, and the global public.

To secure this double victory in 2026, Phong Nha – Ke Bang competed against top regional and international destinations. The title of "World's Leading Caving Attraction" honors the immense scale of its cave networks and highlights the strict safety protocols and professional standards of its adventure tours.

2. Unique Values Behind Its Global Appeal

Twice designated as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site (in 2003 and 2015), Phong Nha – Ke Bang offers extraordinary natural features:

A World-Class Cave Kingdom

Formed over 400 million years ago, Asia's oldest karst formation harbors more than 500 caves. Highlights include Son Doong Cave (the largest natural cave on Earth), En Cave (the world's third-largest cave), and magnificent cavern systems like Paradise Cave, Phong Nha Cave, Va Cave and Tien Cave — each featuring distinct geological formations and subterranean ecosystems.

Primary Limestone Forest Ecosystem

With forest coverage exceeding 94%, the park protects one of the most intact primary limestone karst forests in Asia. It supports rich biodiversity, providing a habitat for thousands of rare plant and animal species, including many listed in the Red Data Book of Vietnam and the IUCN Red List.

Diverse & Sustainable Tourism Experiences

Beyond challenging expedition tours, Phong Nha – Ke Bang offers eco-friendly activities suitable for all travelers: kayaking along the Chay River, relaxing at Mooc Stream, trekking through the Botanical Garden, exploring historic wartime sites, and cycling along the Son River to experience local culture.

3. Impact on Quang Tri and Vietnam's Tourism Industry

Winning these titles at the World Travel Awards 2026 delivers lasting benefits:

• Elevates the National Tourism Brand: Reinforces Vietnam's reputation as a premier destination for nature lovers and adventure travelers across Asia and worldwide.

• Drives Local Socio-Economic Growth: Attracts high-value international travelers, stimulating local hospitality, transport, and culinary services throughout Quang Tri.

• Validates Conservation-Led Tourism: Demonstrates the success of managing visitor capacity strictly to safeguard fragile karst ecosystems.

The double victory at the World Travel Awards 2026 stands as a proud milestone for Vietnamese tourism, inspiring ongoing efforts to enhance visitor experiences while preserving this world heritage site for generations to come.