Contestants from over 80 countries and territories will participate in the competion. If it gets approved, this will be the first time an international beauty contest will take place inside a cave.
Known as an underground royal palace, the Paradise Cave is one of the country's major attractions. If a portion of the Miss Grand International 2017 will take place here, it will have a big impact on the tourism sector of the province.
"There will be some impact on the natural environment, but it's insignificant. The beauty of the contestants and Paradise Cave together will be tremendous. There is no question that the event should take place there", Nguyen Van Ky - Deputy Director of Quang Binh Department of Tourism - said.
Meanwhile, the managers of the Paradise Cave have began making preparations to minimize the negative effects of the event on its natural environment.
Despite this, researchers in the fields of tourism, culture, and geology are opposing the idea, saying that Paradise Cave is a world heritage that requires strict protection.
"Hundreds of people will be there. There will also be lighting and sound systems installed. The temperature and humidity will change for a certain time. This will affect the ecosystem inside the cave. Vietnam should not hold the event there", Prof. Ta Hoa Phuong - Head of Geological History Division, Geology Faculty, Hanoi University of Science - said.
Other experts are concerned that this might lead to other events being held in the cave in the future, which can be detrimental to its environment. In fact, just a few years ago, a Cave Festival took place there. Still, questions and discussions on whether Miss Grand International 2017 should be held in the cave remain.
