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Recently, at the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Paris, France, UNESCO adopted a decision to adjust the boundaries of the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park World Natural Heritage Site, expanding it to include Hin Nam No National Park (Khammouane Province, Laos). This historic decision marks the formation of the first transboundary World Heritage Site between two Southeast Asian countries, named "Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Park".
According to the Department of Cultural Heritage (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam), the expansion of this heritage site's boundaries is based on a joint nomination dossier from the two countries, submitted to UNESCO in February 2024. This is the result of many years of close cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in the research, preservation, and promotion of heritage values.
The Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (Quang Tri Province, Vietnam) and Hin Nam No National Park (Khammouane Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic) are recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites under the names Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Park.
Based on the assessment of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) – UNESCO's advisory body – the shared heritage site was recognized according to three outstanding criteria: geology and geomorphology (criterion viii), ecosystem (criterion ix), and biodiversity (criterion x)...
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, recognized by UNESCO in 2003 and 2015, boasts a core area of 123,326 hectares and a buffer zone of 220,055 hectares. Its connection to Hin Nam Nno National Park, with its adjacent natural boundary, has created one of the most pristine limestone karst landscapes on the planet. Formed over 400 million years ago, this area lies at the intersection of the Annam Mountain Range and the Central Indochina Limestone Belt, creating a massive cave system with a total length of over 220 km, including Son Doong and Xe Bang Fai – considered among the world's largest caves.
Phong Nha - Ke Bang was first recognized as a World Natural Heritage Site in 2003 and again in 2015, with a core area of over 123,000 hectares and a buffer zone of approximately 220,000 hectares.
The expanded nomination dossier, submitted to UNESCO by the two countries in February 2024, has been thoroughly assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and presented for review at this session. The evaluation criteria focused on outstanding universal value in geology, geomorphology, ecosystems, and especially rich biodiversity.
Beyond its breathtaking caves, this transboundary heritage site is also a treasure trove of biodiversity. Its diverse ecosystems include dry karst forests, humid forests, and underground cave systems. Specifically, Phong Nha-Ke Bang is home to over 2,700 plant species and 800 vertebrate species, while Hin Nam Nno is equally rich with 1,500 plant species and 536 animal species. Many of these are endemic and endangered, further highlighting the importance of conserving this area.
Managing a transboundary heritage site requires close coordination, and Vietnam and Laos have demonstrated this commitment through years of cooperation in protection and law enforcement activities. The Lao Minister of Culture expressed deep pride in this achievement and reaffirmed his determination to cooperate closely with Vietnam in managing and protecting their shared heritage.
This area shares a natural border with Laos' Hin Nam No National Park – one of Asia's oldest karst limestone regions, formed during the Paleozoic era more than 400 million years ago.
Associate Professor Dr. Le Thi Thu Hien, Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage, emphasized that this success is the result of close guidance from the Government and smooth coordination between the two sides. In the future, Vietnam and Laos will continue to research and develop appropriate legal regulations, assess tourism carrying capacity, and jointly protect heritage from potential threats from climate change and human activities.
Also at this session, UNESCO inscribed the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiet Bac complex of historical and scenic sites in Vietnam onto the World Heritage List, once again affirming the unique cultural and historical value of the country.
