Microclimate characteristics and tourist carrying capacity of Phong Nha cave, Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park

Phong Nha Cave's tourist carrying capacity is determined to be up to 3,780 visitors per day under optimal conditions, with recovery times of 497 minutes in summer and 318 minutes in winter. This study marks the first application of the Lobo method using microclimate indicators—temperature, relative humidity (RH), and CO₂ concentrations—to assess environmental impact in a Vietnamese cave system. Continuous monitoring revealed significant seasonal variations, with average visitor stay times of 7.8 minutes in summer and 12.7 minutes in winter. These findings provide actionable guidelines for sustainable tourism management in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and offer a scalable model for other show caves in Vietnam.

Vu, T. M. N., Van, P. H., Hoang, V. T., Ha, T. L., & Bui, V. Q. (2025). Microclimate characteristics and tourist carrying capacity of Phong Nha cave, Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park. Journal of Hydro-Meteorology, 03(22), 45–54. https://doi.org/10.36335/vnjhm.2025(22).45-54