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As I mentioned in a previous trip report - http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/laos-ride-reports/3541-another-mapping-trip-laos.html the Nam Lod or Xebanfai Cavehas been opened for the public with the official opening taken place late March this year. The cave is located north-east of Bualapha and you can find it here: N17.37286 E105.83786
Vientiane Times published this report on the opening ceremony - Vientiane Times
Khammuan opens 11km long cave to visitors
Khammuan authorities last week officially opened Tham Nam Lod Cave to visitors, touting it as one of the province's most intriguing attractions and hoping it will entice more people to visit the area. The opening ceremony took place at the cave in Nongping village in Bualapha district, and was attended by senior officials from the province. Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice Governor of Khammuan province, Mr Somchay Phetsinouane, said the opening of the cave was of great significance to local people, especially those in Nongping village and neighboring communities.
“It's meaningful for the people of these communities because they will be able to earn money from passers-by and people who come to visit the cave,” he said. Mr Somchay said visitors would generate a large amount of money if villagers could provide useful services such as selling food, drinks and souvenirs, and offering accommodation. “The unique character of lo cal products will be a special draw and we can sell our goods to visitors. We can expect living standards to improve so long as people are prepared to get involved in activities associated with tourism,” he said. Mr Somchay called on the province's Information, Culture and Tourism Department and other sectors to advise the local community on how they could benefit from the potential offered by the cave. “The cave isn't owned by a specific individual but belongs to everyone in the province, so it is the responsibility of all parties. It should be protected and improved upon so that it attracts more visitors each year,” he said.
But access to the cave still poses a problem for visitors because of poor road and bridge access, which is in urgent need of improvement. Tham Nam Lod Cave is 11km long and is about 14km from the district administration office. Perhaps its main attraction is that the Xebangfai River runs through it, affording visitors a special perspective of the cave.
According to the provincial Information, Culture and Tourism Department, Bualapha district has 10 officially designated tourist sites, of which nine are natural attractions and one is a historical site. “To promote tourism in the district effectively, we face several challenges, especially where infrastructure is concerned. But we're overcoming these obstacles by building an asphalt road and several bridges,” Mr Somchay told Vientiane Times . A path leading to the cave has been improved and several small boats have been made available so that visitors can explore the interior.
On the same occasion, Khammuan authorities handed over an upgraded traditional house to the local authority, to be used as a guesthouse by visitors to the cave. The upgrade of the guesthouse was funded by the Rhone-Alpes region of France at a cost of more than 30,000 euros.
By Bounfaeng Phaymanivong
(Latest Update April 03, 2013)
Some more pictures by the National Geographic are here: PHOTOS: Gigantic River Cave Revealed in Laos
Vientiane Times published this report on the opening ceremony - Vientiane Times
Khammuan opens 11km long cave to visitors
Khammuan authorities last week officially opened Tham Nam Lod Cave to visitors, touting it as one of the province's most intriguing attractions and hoping it will entice more people to visit the area. The opening ceremony took place at the cave in Nongping village in Bualapha district, and was attended by senior officials from the province. Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice Governor of Khammuan province, Mr Somchay Phetsinouane, said the opening of the cave was of great significance to local people, especially those in Nongping village and neighboring communities.
“It's meaningful for the people of these communities because they will be able to earn money from passers-by and people who come to visit the cave,” he said. Mr Somchay said visitors would generate a large amount of money if villagers could provide useful services such as selling food, drinks and souvenirs, and offering accommodation. “The unique character of lo cal products will be a special draw and we can sell our goods to visitors. We can expect living standards to improve so long as people are prepared to get involved in activities associated with tourism,” he said. Mr Somchay called on the province's Information, Culture and Tourism Department and other sectors to advise the local community on how they could benefit from the potential offered by the cave. “The cave isn't owned by a specific individual but belongs to everyone in the province, so it is the responsibility of all parties. It should be protected and improved upon so that it attracts more visitors each year,” he said.
But access to the cave still poses a problem for visitors because of poor road and bridge access, which is in urgent need of improvement. Tham Nam Lod Cave is 11km long and is about 14km from the district administration office. Perhaps its main attraction is that the Xebangfai River runs through it, affording visitors a special perspective of the cave.
According to the provincial Information, Culture and Tourism Department, Bualapha district has 10 officially designated tourist sites, of which nine are natural attractions and one is a historical site. “To promote tourism in the district effectively, we face several challenges, especially where infrastructure is concerned. But we're overcoming these obstacles by building an asphalt road and several bridges,” Mr Somchay told Vientiane Times . A path leading to the cave has been improved and several small boats have been made available so that visitors can explore the interior.
On the same occasion, Khammuan authorities handed over an upgraded traditional house to the local authority, to be used as a guesthouse by visitors to the cave. The upgrade of the guesthouse was funded by the Rhone-Alpes region of France at a cost of more than 30,000 euros.
By Bounfaeng Phaymanivong
(Latest Update April 03, 2013)
Some more pictures by the National Geographic are here: PHOTOS: Gigantic River Cave Revealed in Laos
