Every year, Quang Binh and Kham Muon meet to reach agreements to contribute to preserving the cross-border heritage of both sides.
Cross-border "fate"
Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Park are highly appreciated by scientists and international organizations for their conservation value, and their global significance in terms of science, education and development. Since June 1998, Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Biodiversity Conservation Area (now Hin Nam No National Park, Kham Muon) have established an official cooperative relationship with a Joint Declaration on Transboundary Biodiversity Conservation. Since then, along with the development and connection between the two countries and two provinces, the cooperation activities between Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Park have continued to reap many new achievements, towards the goal of transboundary heritage.
An important milestone in the cooperation journey between the two National Parks was in 2016, with the support of the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ) through the Phong Nha - Ke Bang Regional Project, the two sides completed a common map of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No; established a working group to support cross-border cooperation, and started to conduct dialogue activities and exchange technical information on a regular basis.
Then, in 2020, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism sent a delegation of experts including members from the Department of Cultural Heritage, Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, Department of International Cooperation... to support Laos in completing the dossier for Hin Nam No National Park to submit to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The proposal to recognize Phong Nha - Ke Bang and Hin Nam No as Transboundary Heritage not only affirms the global value of the area but also opens up opportunities for international cooperation in conservation and sustainable development. Once recognized, this area will become a model of cross-border cooperation in protecting natural heritage and joining hands to develop tourism.
(Mr. Nguyen Chau A , General Director of Oxalis Sour Apple Company Limited)
At the workshop celebrating the 20th anniversary of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park as a World Natural Heritage (2023) organized by Quang Binh province, Mr. Khamkeo Latthayod - Director of Hin Nam No National Park said: If Hin Nam No National Park is nominated as a World Natural Heritage accepted by UNESCO, and is also a cross-border extension of the Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park World Natural Heritage, this will be the first world natural heritage site in Laos.
Most recently, on June 29, 2024, Quang Binh and Kham Muon provinces signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement on tourism development, conservation and promotion of values, as well as continuing to complete the joint dossier on Southeast Asia's first trans-border world natural heritage area Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Park.
Mr. Pham Hong Thai, Director of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park said: “Quang Binh province has supported all issues for Laos, in order to soon have a dossier to submit to the competent authorities. The two sides are actively involved in cooperation activities on conservation and promotion of common values in biodiversity, geology and geomorphology. Every year, Quang Binh and Khammouane meet to reach agreements to contribute to the conservation of the values and landscapes across the border of the two sides.”
Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park is seamlessly connected in terms of geology and geomorphology with Hin Nam No National Park (Laos)
Sparkling green “diamonds”
Considered as sparkling green diamonds, Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No are magnificent natural treasures on the Vietnam - Laos border.
Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park covers an area of over 125,700 hectares, spanning Bo Trach and Minh Hoa districts (Quang Binh). Characterized by dense limestone formations, Phong Nha - Ke Bang is considered the "Kingdom of Caves" with more than 400 large and small caves, of which Son Doong Cave is considered the largest cave in the world by the British Royal Cave Association. This place also possesses an underground river system and rare flora and fauna, many of which are listed in the Vietnam Red Book and the World Red Book. With its valuable, global values in geology, geomorphology and biodiversity, Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park has been twice recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage.
On the other side of the border, Hin Nam No National Park in Bualapha District (Kham Muon Province, Laos) has a total area of over 82,000 hectares. With a rich ecosystem located on continuous limestone mountains, this is a diverse habitat for 40 species of mammals, more than 200 species of birds, 25 species of bats, 46 species of amphibians and reptiles, more than 100 species of fish, more than 520 species of plants... There are many rare species such as red-shanked douc langur, white-cheeked black langur, Vu Quang mang, flying fox, flower-spotted bat, io bat, hornbill, black-throated laughingthrush...
The special feature of Phong Nha - Ke Bang and Hin Nam No is the geological continuity. Both are part of the ancient karst formation formed over millions of years, creating hundreds of caves with unique structures. According to Mr. Dinh Huy Tri, Deputy Director of the Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park Management Board, both national parks are considered one of the important ecological areas in Southeast Asia with large karst areas of global value in biodiversity. Therefore, the management and protection of biodiversity in Phong Nha - Ke Bang and Hin Nam No are related to each other.
Tourists visit Phong Nha Cave. Photo: PVT
Join hands to develop tourism
Not only are these two areas of natural value, they are also closely linked in terms of culture and tourism. The communities living around Phong Nha - Ke Bang and Hin Nam No, such as the Bru - Van Kieu or the indigenous Lao people, all have unique cultural features, reflecting the historical connection between the two peoples. The journey back and forth between the two sides of the border is not only a material exchange, but also a cultural bond. The songs and festivals of the Bru and Lao people have a clear overlap, from the way of worshiping the forest god to the harvest festivals.
In particular, Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No have great potential for cave tourism.
After a long journey with the unity and support of the two countries Vietnam - Laos, the tireless efforts of the Ministries and branches of the two provinces of Quang Binh - Kham Muon, especially the important role of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, in February 2024, the Heritage nomination dossier for Hin Nam No National Park was submitted to UNESCO.
adventure, ecology, indigenous communities. Once Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No are combined into a national park, the transboundary heritage will form one of the largest limestone areas in the world.
In terms of tourism, this joint national park will also become a major destination attracting foreign tourists to explore caves, study geology, geomorphology and biodiversity, as well as establish cross-border tours. One of the outstanding initiatives is the “Green Cross-Border Tourism” program, connecting destinations in Phong Nha - Ke Bang and Hin Nam No.
Mr. Nguyen Chau A, General Director of Chua Me Dat Company Limited (Oxalis), a tourism operator in Phong Nha - Ke Bang, said that Phong Nha - Ke Bang and Hin Nam No have similarities in tourism development orientation and methods, and will become partners. According to Mr. A, the proposal to recognize Phong Nha - Ke Bang and Hin Nam No as Transboundary Heritage not only affirms the global value of the area but also opens up opportunities for international cooperation in conservation and sustainable development. Once recognized, this area will become a model of cross-border cooperation in protecting natural heritage and joining hands in developing tourism.
Phong Nha - Ke Bang and Hin Nam No are not only natural treasures but also symbols of solidarity and cooperation between Vietnam and Laos. The protection and promotion of the value of this cross-border heritage not only brings economic and social benefits but also makes an important contribution to preserving the precious heritage of humanity.
The greatest hope of both the local people and conservationists is that this area will soon be recognized as the first Transboundary Heritage Site in Southeast Asia. At that time, the natural, cultural and tourism values of Phong Nha - Ke Bang and Hin Nam No will be better protected, while bringing many opportunities for sustainable development to the community.
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/du-lich/di-san-lien-bien-gioi-chung-tay-phat-trien-du-lich-119747.html
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