One of the recently-discovered caves in the central Vietnamese province of Quang Binh has a name now: Thach Thuy or Water Stalagmite. The name was chosen among hundreds of suggestions put forth by Tuoi Tre readers.
Thach Thuy is part of 7 caves discovered in March in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park- famous for its cavern system - by a group of UK explorers headed by Howard Limbert.
Instead of naming it, Howard left the honor to Tuoi Tre Newspaper which then launched a contest calling on its readers to suggest ideas for the name.
Four UK explorers including Howard plus a translator were responsible for picking out a winning entry and they selected Thach Thuy, which was recommended by four readers who therefore win a free trip worth VND10 million (US$500) each to the site.
Winner Phuong Thanh (29) told Tuoi Tre she had been pondering long and hard at the marvel of nature that crafted such beautiful stalagmites rising up from sparkling water.
“Water and rocks seem intertwined”, she added, convinced that the name Water Stalagmite is a fitting description.
Besides the four prizes, Tuoi Tre Editorial Board has decided to award a special prize to the eldest person who took part in this naming contest. Mr. Ngo Van Ha, 97 years old from Ho Chi Minh City’s District 2, suggested “Ngoc” meaning “Gem” as the cave is like a precious stone to him.
In March, the British Cave Research Association found seven new caves in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park during a one-week trip there.
Ho Khanh, the team’s guide, said at the time that four of the seven grottos had already been named: Gio (Wind), Con Chay, Ky, and Hai Cua (Two Gates).
Phong Nha-Ke Bang area currently holds many world records: the area with the largest cave system, the area with the highest number of underground rivers, and with the longest dry cave.
Son Doong cave there has been known globally as the world’s largest cave after US magazine National Geographic gave it full coverage in late 2010.