On the afternoon of September 9, 2025, the Management Board of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park held a conference to hand over and receive the World Natural Heritage nomination dossier under criterion (viii) on geology and geomorphology. This event carries great significance as it preserves and digitizes valuable documents associated with the journey that led to Phong Nha – Ke Bang being inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2003.
Overview of the Conference
Attending the conference were Mr. Le Huy Cuong – former officer of the Forest Inventory and Planning Institute (FIPI), Ministry of Agriculture and Environment – representing the handover of the dossier; together with former leaders of the Quang Binh Department of Science and Technology, former Directors of the National Park Management Board (2002–2009), as well as scientists and researchers who directly participated in compiling and finalizing the nomination dossier submitted to UNESCO and successfully defending it.
Representing the Management Board of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park were Mr. Pham Hong Thai – Director, with the Board’s leadership and representatives of its subordinate departments and units.
Mr. Le Huy Cuong – former officer of the Forest Inventory and Planning Institute (FIPI), Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, speaking at the conference
At the conference, Mr. Le Huy Cuong shared the difficulties and challenges encountered in preparing the dossier. He emphasized that the dossier is not merely a compilation of scientific documents but also a vivid testament to the aspiration of inscribing Phong Nha – Ke Bang as a World Natural Heritage Site. He expressed his wish that the collection would continue to serve as a valuable resource for research, education, and promotion, thereby spreading the spirit of heritage conservation to current and future generations.
Mr. Pham Hong Thai – Director of the Management Board of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park delivering his remarks
In response, Mr. Pham Hong Thai – Director of the Management Board – conveyed sincere gratitude to generations of staff, scientists, and leaders who have accompanied the Park throughout its journey of conserving and promoting heritage values. He underlined that today’s event is not only an occasion to look back proudly on the past journey but also a reminder for all officers and staff to continue their dedicated efforts in safeguarding and enhancing the values of Phong Nha – Ke Bang. He affirmed that the Management Board will preserve, protect, and utilize the dossier in full compliance with current legal regulations to support management, research, education, and promotion, thereby further disseminating the outstanding universal values of the World Natural Heritage Site Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park.
Signing of the handover minutes of the World Natural Heritage Dossier of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park
As part of the conference, the parties signed the handover minutes of the dossier, which included: the Technical–Economic Justification Report of Phong Nha Nature Reserve; the 1998 Registration Dossier of Phong Nha Cave World Heritage Site; the original 2000 Nomination Dossier of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park for World Natural Heritage inscription; together with a comprehensive collection of related images and materials.
Leaders of Management Board of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park presenting gifts to delegates who attending the conference
The nomination dossier is a collection of scientific studies, evidence, and historical data compiled and refined to secure UNESCO’s official recognition of Phong Nha – Ke Bang as a World Natural Heritage Site in 2003. The complete reception and preservation of this dossier not only helps safeguard historical memory but also reaffirms more than 20 years of steadfast dedication to protecting the outstanding universal values of the World Natural Heritage Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park./.
