Hin Nam No: Laos' Limestone Crown Joins UNESCO’s World Heritage Elite

Hin Nam No National Park

A Landmark Moment for Laos

Laos has officially welcomed its fourth UNESCO World Heritage Site. On 13 July, Hin Nam No National Park in Khammouane Province was inscribed on the prestigious list during the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee held in Paris. This remarkable recognition not only honors the park’s extraordinary natural beauty and biodiversity, but also cements its global importance as a transboundary treasure shared with Vietnam.

Creating the World’s Largest Limestone Karst Landscape

The UNESCO designation of Hin Nam No establishes it as part of a Transboundary World Heritage Site, linking it with Vietnam’s acclaimed Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Together, they form the largest contiguous limestone karst landscape on Earth—a stunning realm of towering cliffs, hidden caverns, and remote valleys sculpted over 300 million years.

Covering 94,121 hectares along the Laos-Vietnam border, Hin Nam No offers a rare window into one of Southeast Asia’s most dramatic and least disturbed geological regions. Its signature formation, the Xe Bang Fai Cave, is believed to house the world’s largest functioning underground river system, and continues to captivate explorers and scientists alike.

Where Biodiversity Thrives

Hin Nam No National Park

Set within the rich Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, Hin Nam No serves as a vital sanctuary for a wide array of rare and endangered species. The park is home to over 1,500 plant species and 536 vertebrate species, including elusive and globally threatened wildlife such as the Red-Shanked Douc Langur, Sunda Pangolin, Lao Rock Rat, and the enigmatic Giant Huntsman Spider.

This ecological haven showcases the delicate balance of nature, where ancient limestone landscapes support vibrant ecosystems and species found nowhere else on Earth.

A Living Landscape of Culture and Heritage

Hin Nam No is not just a natural marvel—it is also a cultural landscape woven with human history. Several ethnic minority communities live within the park’s boundaries, preserving unique traditions, languages, and ways of life. Their deep connection to the land adds a cultural layer to the park’s value, making it a living heritage site where nature and people coexist.

Laos’ Growing World Heritage Legacy

Hin Nam No National Park

Hin Nam No proudly joins an esteemed list of Laos’ UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These include the historic Town of Luang Prabang (1995), the ancient temple complex of Vat Phou and the Champasack Cultural Landscape (2001), and the mysterious Megalithic Jar Sites in Xiengkhuang–Plain of Jars (2019).

Each inscription marks a step forward in Laos’ commitment to conservation, sustainable tourism, and cultural preservation.

Travel Information and Resources

For more details on visiting Hin Nam No and Laos’ World Heritage Sites, visit:
Laos Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism: www.tourismlaos.org
UNESCO World Heritage Centre: whc.unesco.org

For more information about Mekong tourism and regional updates, visit:
Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office
Website: www.mekongtourism.org
Email: info@mekongtourism-mtco.org

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