VIENTIANE: Hin Nam No National Park has become Laos’ first natural World Heritage Site, marking a historic step in efforts to protect the natural environment and create new tourist attractions.
A ceremony to celebrate the inscription by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) took place on March 19 in Thakhaek district, Khammuan province.
Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone led the event, accompanied by ministers, former government leaders, provincial officials, foreign diplomats, and development partners.
Spanning about 82,000 hectares, Hin Nam No National Park is one of the most striking natural landscapes in Laos.
Towering limestone mountains rise sharply above forested valleys, forming part of a vast karst system that has developed over about 400 million years. This ancient formation is among the oldest and most extensive in Asia.
The park lies along the Laos-Vietnam border within the Annamite mountain range, a region known for its rich ecosystems.
Its landscape ranges from dry forests on high limestone ridges to dense, moist forests in the lowlands.
Beneath the surface, an extensive network of caves stretches through the mountains, including the Xe Bang Fai Cave, one of the longest river caves in the region.
Hin Nam No is also a refuge for wildlife. It supports rare and endangered species such as the great hornbill, Lao rock rat and southern white-cheeked gibbon. Its diverse habitats make it an important site for conservation in Southeast Asia.
The journey to World Heritage Site status took more than 20 years. Laos worked closely with the governments of Vietnam and Germany, with support from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
The World Heritage Committee approved the listing on July 13, 2025, during its 47th session in Paris.
The success of this endeavour reflects the government’s long-term policy to protect the country’s natural splendour and ensure preservation of the land for future generations.
The park forms a transboundary World Heritage Site with the Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park in Vietnam, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia.
Together, the two parks protect one of the world’s most intact karst landscapes and highlight the close links between Laos and Vietnam.
Hin Nam No is Laos’ fourth World Heritage Site, following Luang Prabang, Vat Phou Champasak, and the Plain of Jars.
The government sees the inscription as a chance to boost tourism while also protecting natural resources.
It is envisaged that the park’s increased popularity among visitors will create jobs and improve the livelihoods of communities living near the park. - Vientiane Times/ANN
