World

Laos’ Hin Nam No national park - transboundary world heritage site

The recognition not only raises awareness of biodiversity conservation but also paves the way for deeper cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in eco-tourism development and sustainable management of nature reserves.

Located in Boualapha district, Khammouane province in central Laos, Hin Nam No borders the renowned Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park in Vietnam’s central region. (Photo: VNA)
Located in Boualapha district, Khammouane province in central Laos, Hin Nam No borders the renowned Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park in Vietnam’s central region. (Photo: VNA)

Vientiane (VNA) – At the ongoing 47th session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) officially recognised the Hin Nam No National Park in Laos as a transboundary world natural heritage site together with Vietnam’s Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park.

This marks a historic milestone for Laos, as Hin Nam No becomes its first-ever natural heritage site on the UNESCO list. The designation highlights the country’s significant progress in nature conservation and strengthens its international standing.

Located in Boualapha district, Khammouane province in central Laos, Hin Nam No borders the renowned Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park in Vietnam’s central region. Covering more than 94,000 ha, the site features a rich forest ecosystem, stunning waterfalls, rare flora and fauna, and an extensive cave system, including the giant limestone cave Sebangfai, one of the world’s largest river caves. Positioned in the heart of the Truong Son Mountain Range, which forms the natural border between Vietnam and Laos, Hin Nam No and Phong Nha–Ke Bang together constitute one of the world's largest contiguous limestone karst landscapes. The region is geologically significant, with the name "Hin Nam No" meaning “mountain crest, spiky as bamboo shoots,” a reference to the area’s sharp limestone formations shaped over 300 million years of geological evolution.

To date, 173 caves and cliffs rising up to 300 metres high have been discovered in the park, creating a safe and unique habitat for diverse wildlife, including species that exhibit distinct evolutionary traits found nowhere else.

Hin Nam No is recognised as one of Southeast Asia’s most ancient and biologically rich natural areas. It is home to many rare species such as the Laotian rock rat and southern white-cheeked gibbon, along with a variety of reptiles and rare plant species.

The recognition not only raises awareness of biodiversity conservation but also paves the way for deeper cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in eco-tourism development and sustainable management of nature reserves./.

VNA
#UNESCO #Hin Nam No National Park #Phong Nha-Ke Bang #limestone cave Sebangfai #Laos Laos
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (R) and UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, UNESCO deepen strategic partnership

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to multilateral cooperation and the role of UNESCO while receiving UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay in Hanoi on June 28.

See more

Illustrative Image (Photo: Bangkokpost)

Thailand extracts bio-calcium from fish waste

Researchers at Rajamangala University of Technology, Thanyaburi (Thailand) developed a method to extract calcium from discarded parts of blackchin tilapia, including heads, bones, scales and tails - materials typically treated as waste and a source of pollution.

Philippines receives first Russian oil shipment in five years

Philippines receives first Russian oil shipment in five years

On March 24, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a national energy emergency through an executive order, allowing the government to fast-track fuel procurement, make advance payments for fuel contracts, and ensure the availability of fuel and other essential goods amid rising prices.

Philippines declares energy emergency over Middle East tension (Photo: BBC)

Philippines declares energy emergency

The Philippine Government on March 24 announced an "imminent danger of a critically low energy supply" as tensions in the Middle East threaten fuel supplies and the stability of the country’s power system.

Delegates at the event (Photo: cambodia.un.org)

Cambodia accelerates access to climate-resilient water services

Funded by the UN Joint Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Fund, the Water Infrastructure & Smart Energy Joint Programme (WISE JP) introduces a pioneering financial model that combines commercial and low-interest capital - a revolving blended‑finance facility - dedicated to ensuring climate‑smart water systems.

Officials inspect the 10-wheel tanker found smuggling fuel to Myanmar in Mae Sot border district on Sunday. (Photo:bangkokpost.com)

Thailand seizes 20,000 litres of diesel bound for Myanmar

Authorities of Thailand's Tak province have ordered intensified patrols and stricter inspections to prevent fuel stockpiling and illegal cross-border exports. They also called on local residents to report any suspicious signs related to fuel hoarding or smuggling.

Illustrative image (Photo: Internet)

Wildfires surge to 96 hotspots in Thailand

According to the provincial forest fire and haze prevention centre, satellite data from the Suomi NPP VIIRS system recorded the hotspots at 02:13. The fires were spread across multiple districts though firefighting teams have been working around the clock to contain the blazes.

In major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, demand for pet-related services is surging. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese pet market attractive to RoK businesses

RoK pet food companies are increasingly targeting Vietnam as a key growth market, leveraging the country’s rapidly developing pet economy and rising demand for premium pet care products in Southeast Asia.

Residents refuel at a petrol station in Stung Treng province, north-eastern Cambodia. (Photo: VNA)

Cambodia introduces energy-saving measures amid Middle East conflict

Despite these challenges, the government noted that Cambodia’s fuel and electricity supply remains stable, supporting economic activities and public service delivery, based on assessments conducted with the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Electricité du Cambodge (EDC), and fuel import companies.