Con Moong Cave, in Thanh Hoa province, seeks recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site. — VNS Photo Truong Vi

Con Moong Cave, in Thanh Hoa Province, hopes to follow in the footsteps of Ha Long Bay and the ancient town of Hoi An, by being awarded UNESCO World Heritage status.

The province plans a scientific study of the 30 metre wide, 10 metre high cave, which will be submitted to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) for assessment.

The cave is special, says Nguyen Khac Su, associate professor of the Viet Nam Archaeological Institute in Ha Noi, because its layers of rock preserve evidence of human evolution from the Palaeolithic to the Neolithic Era-man’s progress from hunter-gathers to farmers. Excavations show that primitive men lived in a 100 square metre area of the dry and airy cave.

Archaeologists discovered Con Moong Cave in 1974. Its name means the Cave of the Beast in the language of the Muong people. The name is inspired by the cave’s two gaping mouths, which take the shape of an animal’s head.

The cave, which is in Thanh Yen Commune, Thach Thanh District of Thanh Hoa province, provided shelter to the people of three separate prehistoric cultures: the Son Vi, the Hoa Binh and the Bac Son.

UNESCO recognition will help safeguard the cave’s unique historical and scientific value and encourage more study of the site, provincial authorities said.

The Archaeological Institute plans to complete its scientific dossier by June 2009. A preliminary document will be submitted to UNESCO this month. (VNS)