Xe Bang Fai Cave, Hin Nam No National Park. (Photo: hinnamno.org)

Under the official name: “Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Park”, this marks the first transboundary World Natural Heritage site jointly recognised by Viet Nam and the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

The Vietnamese delegation to the session was led by Hoang Dao Cuong, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, accompanied by representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Viet Nam National Commission for UNESCO, and provinces that are home to UNESCO World Heritage sites. The delegation held working meetings with the World Heritage Centre and UNESCO advisory bodies to finalise the nomination dossier and conservation plans.

The nomination to extend the heritage site was jointly submitted by Viet Nam and Laos to UNESCO in February 2024. After evaluation, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) highly commended the area’s outstanding universal value, highlighting the significance of its geology, geomorphology, biodiversity, and ecosystem.

Phong Nha–Ke Bang and Hin Nam No together form one of the oldest and most intact limestone karst systems in Asia, dating back some 400 million years. The region boasts more than 220 kilometres of caves and underground rivers, rich biodiversity including many endemic species.

Management of the site will be based on two separate plans for each national park, but with close cross-border coordination. Border localities of both countries have already signed various cooperation programmes on resource protection, law enforcement, and community awareness-raising.

Speaking at the session, Suanesavanh Vignaket, Lao Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism and Chair of the National Heritage Committee, said: “Today marks a meaningful and proud moment for the Government and people of the Lao PDR, as Hin Nam No National Park has officially been inscribed as an extension of Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park, a World Heritage site in Viet Nam.”

Deputy Minister Hoang Dao Cuong stated that the inscription of “Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Park” as the first transboundary World Heritage site of Viet Nam and Laos reflects the importance of international cooperation through joint nominations. This contributes to the promotion of peace and security in the spirit of UNESCO, while further strengthening the special bond of friendship and solidarity between the two nations.

He also extended an invitation to all delegates to visit the newly recognised transboundary World Heritage site and called for continued support and experience-sharing in itsmanagement.

With this new inscription, Viet Nam now has nine UNESCO World Heritage sites, including three trans-regional or transnational sites: Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago; the Complex of Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son – Kiep Bac Monuments and Landscapes; and Phong Nha–Ke Bang – Hin Nam No Transboundary Heritage Site.