Rescue and emergency response play a crucial role in the management and conservation of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. With its rugged terrain, complex cave systems, numerous underground rivers, waterfalls, and dense forests, emergencies such as tourist accidents, getting lost, landslides, or natural disasters can occur at any time. Therefore, building a systematic and professional rescue capacity not only ensures the safety of tourists and the community but also demonstrates the management capacity of the National Park Management Board in managing a world-class heritage site.
Phong Nha – Ke Bang has been invested with a modern system of rescue facilities and equipment, capable of handling various situations. Rescue teams are fully equipped with motorboats, canoes, diving equipment, life ropes, communication radios, GPS devices, high-powered lights, and first aid supplies. In key areas, especially in adventurous cave tourism routes or underground river areas, warning systems, safety signs, and rescue checkpoints are always in place to respond when needed.
This infrastructure not only serves the rescue of humans but also supports the rescue of injured, trapped, or illegally trafficked wildlife. Many rare species have been successfully rescued, cared for, and released back into the forest, contributing to the protection of the heritage site's biodiversity.
The rescue force of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park includes forest rangers, management staff, tour guides, and highly trained local volunteers. They regularly participate in training courses on first aid, cave rescue, rope climbing, jungle trekking, river diving, and disaster response.
In addition, the Management Board collaborates with specialized units such as the Border Guard, the Quang Binh Provincial Police, the Wildlife Rescue Center, and international organizations to enhance professional capacity and share practical experience. This close cooperation between domestic and international teams has created a solid foundation for rescue operations in the area.
When an incident occurs, rescue operations are carried out according to strict procedures, ensuring speed and safety. The on-site personnel will receive information, assess the level of danger, cordon off the area, and implement a plan to reach the victims. In special situations such as accidents in deep caves, loss of communication, or landslides, the Management Board will mobilize additional specialized support forces from the local or central government.
Coordination between all parties is carried out synchronously and clearly: the forest rangers are responsible for coordinating and commanding the scene, medical personnel provide first aid, and professional rescue teams handle the technical aspects. Recording, reporting, and learning from each incident are also carried out rigorously to improve future response capabilities.
Rescue operations in Phong Nha – Ke Bang are conducted in accordance with Vietnamese law and international safety standards. The Management Board regularly updates technical guidelines, safe operating procedures, and regulations on the responsibilities of organizations and individuals participating in adventure tourism or research activities within the heritage area.
In the coming period, the National Park aims to modernize rescue operations through the application of digital technology, the construction of a smart command center, a real-time positioning system, and an early warning network. Simultaneously, it will strengthen human resource training, international cooperation, and awareness campaigns on safety in eco-adventure tourism, aiming to ensure absolute safety for visitors and the sustainable preservation of the world natural heritage site.
Amidst the majestic mountains and magnificent cave systems, the rescue workers at Phong Nha - Ke Bang are on duty day and night, ready to respond to any situation to protect the safety of tourists and preserve the pristine beauty of the heritage site. They are the "silent guardians of the forest," contributing to the image of Phong Nha - Ke Bang as not only majestic but also safe, friendly, and responsible.
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