The exhibition featuring top class photography and video footage of cavers and caving systems in the Dales and Vietnam

Where in the world is most like the Yorkshire Dales National Park? The best answer is possibly Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Vietnam, as illustrated in the latest special exhibition at the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes.

 “Underground worlds – caves of the Yorkshire Dales and Vietnam” showcases how both national parks have large tracts of limestone underfoot and boast some of the world’s largest and longest cave systems. The exhibition was officially opened this week and will run until 4 January.

Featuring top class photography and video footage of cavers and caving systems in the Yorkshire Dales and Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Parks, the exhibition celebrates 35 years of exploration and exchange between British and Vietnamese cavers.

Chair of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Derek Twine, opened the exhibition, remembering “being a kid coming up from the southeast of England” in the 1970s to stay at Whernside Manor to try caving.

He said: “We are very proud of this exhibition. Caves are one of the undersold, or hidden, special qualities of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. 

“We might be 6000 miles apart, but we have been learning from each other.  Phong Nha-Ke Bang is probably the best-preserved limestone cave system in the world. In the Yorkshire Dales, we’ve got the longest cave system in Britain. 

“An international caving community began in 1990 when Howard and Deb Limbert were given permission by the Vietnamese government to lead parties of cavers in explorations. That led to the discovery of the expanse of the caves. 

“Full compliments to those who put this exhibition together. We are grateful to the film makers and photographers who have kindly presented their work for free at this exhibition.”

The partnership between the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park has developed from a cooperation agreement established in January 2024.

Mr. Dinh Huy Tri, Deputy Director of the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Management Board said: “The exhibition is very impressive, very special, and not just for the caving, but how it presents the history, conservation values and the indigenous people of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. We are hoping to build our first interpretation centre in the National Park, and the partnership with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority means we can learn much that will help us to progress our plans and ultimately secure funding.”

Ms. Nguyen Ha Dung, the Deputy General Director of Oxalis Adventure, which offers caving tours in Phong Nha, said: “This is the first time I’ve been in England.  I’m very happy to be here today.  It’s a moving experience.  I would like to use this opportunity to thank all the British cave explorers who came to Vietnam, especially Howard and Deb Limbert.  We’ve been able to develop sustainable tourism, and we would like to thank the Yorkshire Dales National Park and Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park for their support.”

The Yorkshire Dales National Park has three show caves where people can get underground without crawling or expertise:  Ingleborough Cave near Clapham,

Stump Cross Caverns near Greenhow and White Scar Cave near Ingleton.  For the more adventurous, there are caving clubs including Bradford Pothole Club and Craven Pothole Club.