Vientiane (VNA) - In the next five-year period (2026–2030), the Lao Government will step up efforts to nominate a range of intangible cultural heritage elements to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for recognition as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, while also proposing several outstanding sites and cultural landmarks for inscription on the World Heritage List.
This is part of national priorities announced by Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone during the rollout of the 10th Five-Year National Socio-Economic Development Plan.
The government will seek inscription of several traditions on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, including Larb, the Sou Khuan ceremony, Pu Yer – Ya Yer, Lao New Year (Bun Pi Mai Lao), and Khao Tom–Khao Lam. It will also pursue World Heritage status for Nakai-Nam Theun National Park, the Plain of Jars in Houaphanh Province, and That Ing Hang.
Previously, in last July, Hin Nam No National Park of Laos, together with Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park of Vietnam, was officially inscribed by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage site, becoming the first transboundary natural World Heritage property shared by the two countries.
The push to nominate additional cultural and natural heritage elements underscores Laos’ determination to safeguard its traditional cultural identity while harnessing heritage values to support sustainable socio-economic development in the years ahead./.
