After continuous effort to obtain the Transboundary World Heritage Site status, Hin Nam No National Park’s pristine natural beauty is finally acknowledged by the world, officially earning its title as Laos’ 4th UNESCO World Heritage Site on 13th July 2025. Hin Nam No National Park’s designation as a part of Laos’ heritage spots marks a significant milestone for Southeast Asia’s conservation and sustainable tourism.
With lush forest and sublime contiguous limestone karsts stretching almost 94,121 hectares, Hin Nam No represents the nation’s major preserved areas. What exactly makes this tourism site so special? Let's find out in the explanation below.
Introduction to Hin Nam No: Laos’ New National Pride
Hin Nam No National Park is situated in a relatively remote part of Laos, namely at the northern Khammouane Province, according to All Points East. Containing a total of 2.200 square kilometers of lush jungle and intact limestone karsts, the Hin Nam No National Park is actually a direct extension of Vietnam’s Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, which is also inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003. Different from previous renowned UNESCO sites in Laos, this joint inscription makes the Hin Nam No National Park the first to be regarded as a transnational World Heritage Site in the Southeast Asia region.
As mentioned in the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office site, Hin Nam No National Park was formally crowned as Laos’ 4th UNESCO World Heritage Site during the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee held in France on the 13th July 2025.
Recognized as one of Indochina’s last surviving limestone karst ecosystems, Hin Nam No National Park serves as a place where several ethnic minority groups and various endangered species—including endemic ones—take refuge. For example, the Red-Shanked Duoc Langur, Sunda Pangolin, Lao Rock Rat, Giant Huntsman Spider and Southern White-Cheeked Gibbon.
Behind the name of “Hin Nam No”
Hin Nam No is not just a random name. For any of you who’s wondering, in Lao the word “Hin Nam No” means “mountain crest, spiky as bamboo shoots”. This meaning refers to the park’s rocky limestone structure that has evolved over 300 million years of geology. The long evolution process forms several striking cliffs in the park that soar up to more than 300 meters tall.
What makes Hin Nam No National Park a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Compiled from True Indochina Tours and Viet Vision Travel, these are the several qualities the Hin Nam No National Park possesses that makes it deserving of a UNESCO World Heritage Site title:
1. Connection across boundaries with Phong Nha-Ke Bang, Vietnam
Hin Nam No’s appointment as part of the transboundary UNESCO site alongside Vietnam’s Phong Nha-Ke Bang forms a gigantic conservation area that transcends borders, with a total of 217,447 hectare area combined (94,121 hectares in Him Nam No and 123,326 hectares in Phong Nha-Ke Bang).
With support from the 2018 Laos-Vietnam Agreement, this partnership resulted in Southeast Asia’s first ever natural World Heritage Site shared by two countries, therefore promoting sustainable tourism, conservation of biodiversity, and transnational community development.
In addition, this extensive park that showcases ecological and cultural diversity from both respective nations inspires cross-border itineraries, offering a different travel experience like never before.
2. Distinct Natural Treasure
Being different is a good thing, and in this case, Hin Nam No is a breath of fresh air in Laos’ environmental and heritage tourism. Unlike its predecessors, such as the Vat Phou, Plain of Jars, and Luang Prabang, Him Nam No is the first natural wonder to snatch the title of UNESCO World Heritage site.
3. Magnificent Geological Landscape
Like its name suggests, Hin Nam No National Park is surrounded by spectacular limestone mountains that were formed over a period of 300 million years. Situated in the central Annamite Mountains, in this site you can explore approximately 173 caverns, including the famous Xe Bang Cai Cave, which has one of the largest subterranean rivers in the world, as well as hidden valleys and tall cliffs. The exceptional biodiversity and distinct geological feature that Hin Nam No offers is even praised by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
4. Cultural and Historical Importance
In Hin Nam No National Park, nature, culture and history all come together. Aside from flora and faunas, several ethnic minority communities including the Brou and Katang ethnic group also reside in this park. As an ethnic group living in the woods, they still practice traditional customs and rituals, such as sustainable farming and karst-related spiritual rituals.
5. Representation of sustainable tourism
Hin Nam No’s designation is the result of years of collaborative conservation efforts between local communities, Lao government and foreign partners like Germany’s GIZ.
The park’s previous designation as an IUCN Green List candidate highlights its responsible management, and now with its new status as Laos’ 4th UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hin Nam No is expected to bolster the nation’s ecotourism by providing visitors with unique experiences that simultaneously supports local communities like jungle trekking, river cave exploration, and ethnic village experiences.
Hin Nam No National Park’s new status as a UNESCO World Heritage site as well as its natural, cultural and historical charms makes this tourism spot worth visiting when traveling to Laos. This designation promotes greater cross-border collaboration and sustainable tourism for future generations to enjoy.
