Ho Khanh's journey is not only a story of perseverance but also a demonstration of his passion and endless love for nature. He grew up in the difficult years after 1975, living off the mountains and forests for a living. When Phong Nha-Ke Bang Nature Reserve was established, he and the local community began to realize the importance of protecting natural resources. His shift from loggers to tourism development began when he discovered Son Doong Cave in 2009. This discovery opened a new chapter not only for his life but also for the entire Quang Binh region, which has become a bright spot on the adventure tourism map thanks to the famous Son Doong tour. People's lives have improved, and awareness of environmental protection has increased. Every year, he still spends time exploring new caves, continuing his journey to develop sustainable tourism.

Son Doong Cave Explorer

Mr. Ho Khanh, a legendary name in the world of adventure exploration and tourism, is the one who brought new life to Quang Binh with the famous discovery of Son Doong Cave, the largest cave in the world. Not only that, every year, he still diligently searches for caves hidden deep in the jungle, not only because of his endless passion for nature but also to contribute to the sustainable development of local tourism.

Looking back, the memories of the hardships after 1975 are still present in his mind. After the war ended, life did not seem to get any easier. The young people in the village, Mr. Khanh being one of them, had to rely on Mother Nature, taking refuge in the forest. The forest was blessed with gifts from agarwood to precious wood, but it was also full of challenges and dangers when collecting bombs and mines left over from the war was an indispensable part of daily life.

New Directions in Nature Conservation

The turning point came when the Phong Nha-Ke Bang Nature Reserve was established and expanded between 1986 and 1991. This was when awareness of nature conservation began to take shape and spread. Concepts such as “loggers” became clearer, making many people in the area aware of the harm caused by indiscriminate exploitation of the forest. Many, including Mr. Khanh, felt the need to choose a different path. Some returned to agriculture, trying to rebuild their lives, while others headed to big cities in search of new opportunities.

For Mr. Khanh, the banks of the Son River with its harsh natural landscape became a place where his livelihood was challenged. Undaunted, he opened a small cafe called Ho Tren Nui, thanks to the increasing presence of expedition groups. Since 2001, when the reserve became a National Park, the wave of exploration brought him closer to a major turning point in his life.

In 2009, an arduous journey led Mr. Khanh and a team of experts to discover Son Doong Cave. For him, this discovery not only opened up opportunities for adventure tourism, but also served as a strong springboard for his career advancement. In 2013, when the Son Doong discovery tour officially began, he took on the role of porter team leader, shouldering the important responsibility of ensuring that each trip brought the best and safest experiences to visitors.

Social Change and the Role of Environmental Protection

The development of tourism not only brings many economic benefits but also significantly improves the lives of local people. Mr. Khanh has been able to pay for his children to study foreign languages, expanding learning and self-development opportunities for the younger generation. Local people have not only improved their living conditions but also raised their awareness of environmental protection and forest resources, thanks to sustainable financial resources from tourism activities.

But for Mr. Ho Khanh, the search never stops. He still believes that the underground of Quang Binh still contains countless secrets that have never been discovered. As the leader of a team of 125 porters, every year, he still persistently spends 10-12 days packing up and going on the road, continuing to search for new natural treasures.

He aspires to contribute to the development of tourism and improve the lives of the community, day by day turning Quang Binh into an attractive and sustainable destination on the world tourism map. Through each cave discovered, he not only finds personal satisfaction but also sees a brighter future for his homeland, where nature and people develop together.