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

Thailand, Cambodia ink new ceasefire agreement

Thailand, Cambodia ink new ceasefire agreement

Discussions to finalise the ceasefire agreement were approved in principle by the secretariats of the two countries’ General Border Committees (GBC) after three days of technical negotiations involving military officials.

Thailand warns of four scam trends to watch in 2026

Thailand warns of four scam trends to watch in 2026

The four scam methods most frequently found are fake SMS/LINE messages with links demanding payment; AI-powered deepfake calls and fake videos; bogus crypto or “digital stock” investment schemes; and fake profiles on social apps: romance scams, fake shops and fake hotels.

Philippines poised to shape future of regional tourism

Philippines poised to shape future of regional tourism

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said looking ahead, the Philippines prepares to host the United Nations Tourism Global Forum on Gastronomy and the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2026 in Cebu, affirming the country’s leadership and resilience in shaping the future of tourism in the region.

Malaysia–Thailand Caravan launched to boost Hat Yai tourism

Malaysia–Thailand Caravan launched to boost Hat Yai tourism

The caravan was officially sent off in Hat Yai on December 24, with TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaiboon joining board members, executives, local business leaders, partner associations, and media representatives to dispatch a convoy of 30 cars and 22 big bikes from Malaysia, carrying more than 100 participants, from the Buri Sriphu Hotel in Songkhla province.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (Photo: Bangkok Post)

Thailand, Cambodia agree on terms of initial ceasefire

The Thai Minister of Defence will attend a Thailand – Cambodia GBC meeting with the Cambodian counterpart on December 27 in Chanthaburi, with the aim of finalising a joint statement under the Kuala Lumpur Agreement.

At the accident scene (Photo: The Star)

Bus accident kills 4, injures 23 in Philippines

The bus, which was carrying 27 people, including the driver and the alternate driver, was traveling southbound from Metro Manila, and the accident occurred in the municipality of Del Gallego.

Passenger volumes are expected to peak between December 27 and January 4. (Photo: thailand.prd.go.t)

Thailand: Air travel surges ahead of New Year as seats added, fares cut

To accommodate the surge, CAAT arranged 66 special flights, adding 11,312 seats on routes connecting Bangkok with Krabi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Trang, and Samui. Airlines have also reduced fares by 30% from the maximum ceiling, offering 36,620 discounted seats across 202 flights on 11 routes, including services from Bangkok to Hat Yai, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, Phuket, Chumphon, and other major destinations.

Delegates at the inauguration of the fifth Laos–Thailand Friendship Bridge on December 26. (Photo: VNA)

New bridge inaugurated to boost Laos–Thailand–Vietnam trade connectivity

The 1,350m bridge significantly shortens the distance from Buengkan in northeastern Thailand, through Bolikhamxay in central Laos, to the Cau Treo border gate in Vietnam’s central Ha Tinh province to just over 200 km, compared to more than 350 km previously, creating the shortest and most convenient route for transporting goods from Thailand to Vietnam.

Thailand’s November exports rise 7.1%

Thailand’s November exports rise 7.1%

Thailand's exports continued to be driven mainly by electronics shipments, in line with the upswing in the computer cycle and the expansion of modern technologies, including AI, which has boosted demand for manufactured goods.

Indonesia investigates corporate role in floods and landslides (Photo: VNA)

Indonesia probes corporate responsibility for floods, landslides

The Indonesian government through the Forest and Mining Area Control Task Force (Satgas PKH) has found indications of a number of corporate and individual entities that contribute to the occurrence of floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.

Illustrative image (Source: AFP)

Indonesia tops world in methanol poisoning cases

Indonesia tops the list with more than 300 methanol poisoning incidents, affecting 2,185 people and recording a mortality rate of up to 50.4%, a level described by experts as exceptionally high. Cambodia ranks second, with over 1,300 people affected, though its fatality rate is significantly lower at around 14.2%.

Police step up security ahead of Christmas and New Year in Indonesia (Photo:straitstimes.com/)

Indonesia steps up security for Christmas, New Year holidays

With the 2025 year-end holiday fast approaching, Indonesia’s National Police have stepped up security measures nationwide, deploying hundreds of thousands of personnel to ensure the public can celebrate Christmas and New Year safely.