International heritage exchanges provide accounts of interlinked histories
Vietnam and Laos Celebrate Transboundary World Heritage Site
Vietnam and Laos have jointly been designated as transboundary World Natural Heritage sites by UNESCO, with Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No being recognised in 2003 and 2015 respectively. This shared heritage site is a vibrant symbol of cooperation among countries in Southeast Asia and a significant milestone in the strategy of heritage diplomacy.
The joint UNESCO designation enables both nations to share practical experience in implementing heritage protection under the 1972 UNESCO Convention. It serves as a model for cross-border heritage management, fostering collaborative efforts to protect an ecologically and geologically unique landscape.
Close coordination among heritage management agencies, scientific research organisations, forest protection forces, and communities on both sides of the national border has created a sustainable operational mechanism to enhance the resilience of the heritage against climate change and human impacts. Bilateral cooperation agreements signed between provinces, ministries, and management boards of special-use forests have become a new social contract to protect resources and build trust and responsibility.
From a diplomatic standpoint, this shared natural heritage symbolises close cultural and political ties, contributing to peace promotion and reinforcing bilateral relations. It highlights global cooperation to conserve unique natural and cultural values that span borders, while promoting mutual respect and solidarity between neighbouring countries.
The transboundary site connects the world’s largest contiguous limestone karst landscape, spanning pristine woodlands, imposing limestone formations, and one of the world’s largest underground river systems. This collective recognition bolsters conservation efforts for rare and endangered species endemic to the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, while also acknowledging the cultural significance of ethnic minority communities living within the area.
Buì Hoài Sơn, a member of the National Assembly's Culture and Society Committee, emphasises the symbolic importance of this transboundary heritage site. He states that it symbolises peace, friendship, and mutual development between Vietnam and Laos, reflecting a profound political vision and the long-term strategic bond between the two countries.
- The shared World Natural Heritage site between Vietnam and Laos, a result of diplomacy, serves as a model for research and collaboration in implementing heritage protection policies.
- Amidst the backdrop of the transboundary World Heritage site, Ronald Lap, a researcher, is investigating the use of AI to monitor climate change effects on the unique limestone formations.
- In a press conference, General News Anchor, Jane Doe, discussed the significance of the agreement between Vietnam and Laos for technology and education-and-self-development, highlighting the opportunities for cross-border collaboration.
- A lifestyle piece from a popular magazine features the cultural exchange programs that have been established between the two countries as a result of their shared heritage site.
- The strategic location of the transboundary World Heritage site in Southeast Asia's space sector has sparked discussions about future possibilities in space exploration and research, setting the stage for outstanding scientific advancements.
- As the transboundary World Heritage site continues to attract tourists, the local governments of both Vietnam and Laos have implemented sustainable lifestyle practices to preserve the environment and ensure a positive impact on the ecosystem and the endangered species residing within.
