Paris, July 13 – At its 47th session held in Paris, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee officially approved the boundary modification of the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park World Natural Heritage Site (Quang Tri Province, Viet Nam), to include Hin Nam No National Park (Khammouane Province, Lao PDR). The decision establishes the first-ever transboundary World Heritage Site in the region, under the name “Phong Nha – Ke Bang and Hin Nam No National Parks.”
Overview of the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee
With this recognition, Hin Nam No National Park, which borders Phong Nha – Ke Bang, is now part of the World Heritage system for its Outstanding Universal Value under criteria (viii) geology and geomorphology, (ix) ecosystems, and (x) biodiversity. The two parks together boast a remarkable karst landscape formed from limestone, shale, sandstone, and granite. The area features over 220 km of caves and underground rivers, including the world-renowned Son Doong Cave (Viet Nam) and Xe Bang Fai Cave (Lao PDR), which bear witness to geological processes spanning millions of years. Biologically, the site is a haven for more than 2,700 vascular plant species and over 800 vertebrate species. Hin Nam No alone hosts 1,500 plant species and 536 vertebrates, including rare and endemic species such as the world’s largest huntsman spider, found only in Khammouane. The area also shelters 10–11 primate species, including the largest remaining population of Southern white-cheeked gibbons and the endemic black langur.
Boundary map of Phong Nha – Ke Bang and Hin Nam No National Parks.
The transboundary inscription is the outcome of sustained cooperation between Viet Nam and Lao PDR. The process began with a Memorandum of Understanding signed in January 2018 between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam and the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of Laos and that was reinforced in early 2023, when both governments agreed to jointly nominate Hin Nam No as part of a transboundary World Heritage Site with Phong Nha – Ke Bang.
Mr. Hoang Xuan Tan, Vice Chairman of Quang Tri Province, presents flowers to congratulate the Secretary and Governor of Khammouane Province (Laos).
At the 47th session in Paris, Mr. Hoang Xuan Tan, Vice Chairman of Quang Tri Province and head of the provincial delegation, shared that Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park has actively supported the Lao side in providing technical assistance for the preparation of the nomination dossier. As the two national parks are adjacent, future conservation and development management will be carried out in a coordinated and effective manner.
According to the plan, both sides will implement separate management mechanisms in parallel—namely, the Strategic Management Plan for Phong Nha – Ke Bang and the Management Plan for Hin Nam No National Park—while maintaining close cooperation in areas such as law enforcement, scientific research, community education, sustainable livelihood development, and managing tourism carrying capacity.
The recognition of “Phong Nha – Ke Bang and Hin Nam No National Parks” as a transboundary World Heritage Site not only strengthens conservation but also opens new opportunities for sustainable tourism and local community development, The recognition of “Phong Nha – Ke Bang and Hin Nam No National Parks” as a transboundary World Heritage Site not only strengthens conservation but also opens new opportunities for sustainable tourism and local community development. It also highlights the role of shared heritage in fostering international cooperation, contributing to peace and security in line with UNESCO’s mission, while deepening the bonds of friendship and solidarity between Viet Nam and Lao PDR. It also highlights the role of shared heritage in fostering international cooperation, contributing to peace and security in line with UNESCO’s mission, while deepening the bonds of friendship and solidarity between Viet Nam and Lao PDR./.
My Hanh
