For the first time, there is a cross-border World Natural Heritage between Vietnam and Laos.

UNESCO has approved the adjustment of the World Natural Heritage boundary, officially connecting Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (Vietnam) and Hin Nam No National Park (Laos), forming the first cross-border World Heritage between the two countries.

Caves in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. (Source: VNA)

On July 13, at the 47th Session in Paris, France, the World Heritage Committee approved the decision to adjust the boundary of the World Natural Heritage Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (Quang Tri province, Vietnam) to include Hin Nam No National Park (Kham Muon province, Lao People's Democratic Republic).

The adjusted World Natural Heritage is named "Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Park".

The nomination dossier for Hin Nam No National Park of Laos, an extension of the World Natural Heritage Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park of Vietnam, was jointly submitted by the two governments to the United Nations Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in February 2024 for consideration by the World Heritage Committee at this session.

Thus, up to now, Vietnam has 9 World Heritages, including 2 inter-provincial World Heritages: Ha Long Bay-Cat Ba Archipelago (Quang Ninh province and Hai Phong city) and Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son, Kiep Bac relic and scenic complex (Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh provinces and Hai Phong city), along with the first inter-border World Heritages Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (Quang Tri province) and Hin Nam No National Park (Kham Muon province, Lao People's Democratic Republic).

The UNESCO recognition of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Park will be a model for the first transboundary world heritage management so that Vietnam can contribute practical experience to world heritage management according to the 1972 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

In addition, this is also a symbol of cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in the field of cultural heritage, thereby contributing to further strengthening and consolidating the close friendship and solidarity between the two neighboring countries.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/lan-dau-tien-co-di-san-thien-nhien-the-gioi-lien-bien-gioi-viet-nam-lao-320903.html