especially impressive stalagmites and stalactites, as well as large sparkling sinter formations. History In 2006, the Tourism Department of Oudomxay found out about the existence of the cave, while looking for potential touristic interesting sights in the Province. However, villagers of Ban Chom Ong knew about it since generations before, using its most accessible areas for hunting bats, fishing and exploiting guano. Since then, measures were taken to prepare the village for a creation of value of the cave, in line with ecotourism. In order to reduce poverty, the village was thought to be involved in a large scale to benefit from the revenue. Supported by German Development Service, workshops as tourguiding and cooking trainings were arranged and a tourist guesthouse for overnight stays was built. In January 2009, an international group of scientists of the Northern Lao - European Cave Project measured the first part of the cave and calculated a preliminary length of 13,5 km. Supported by the Schmitz Foundation, toilet and bathroom facilities for the villagers were installed, as well as ceramic filters supplying clean drinking water. The first 450 m of the cave were equipped with illumination. In January 2010, research on Chom Ong cave continued. After completion of the measurements the cave, its length is assumed to be about 16,4 km. In the same month, an information board was installed in front of the cave entrance and the cave was opened for tourists for the first time. References External links Article about Tony Wheeler (author of Lonely Planet) visiting the cave Information about the cave on the website of the Provincial Tourism Department Oudomxay Detailed survey information on Chom Ong Information about research visit of the Northern Lao - European Cave Project Caves of Laos Geography of Oudomxay province