Phong Nha-Ke Bang wins 2nd UNESCO recognition

Phong Nha-Ke Bang wins 2nd UNESCO recognition

The Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park in central Quang Binh province received its second UNESCO recognition on July 3.

At a conference held in Bonn, Germany, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee approved the addition of two natural sites in its World Heritage List - the Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park in Viet Nam and the Cape Floral Region Protected Area in South Africa.

It is the second time that the Vietnamese park received UNESCO recognition, the first time in 2003 for its geological and geomorphologic values.

In 2009, information of the park's biodiversity was submitted to the UN agency, but the files were returned. Viet Nam was asked to solve issues related to the integrity, protection and management of the heritage.

The site's new profile includes more geological and geomorphological data. Since 2012, the park area increased from 85,754ha to 123,326ha under a decision by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to adjust its boundaries.

The new information on the park's biodiversity and ecological and biological processes won it the latest recognition.

The UN agency said: "With this extension, the site shares a boundary with the Hin Namno Nature Reserve in the People's Democratic Republic of Laos.

"The Park's landscape is formed by limestone plateaux and tropical forests. It features great geological diversity and offers spectacular phenomena, including a large number of caves and underground rivers.

"The site harbours a high level of biodiversity and many endemic species. The extension ensures a more coherent ecosystem while providing additional protection to the catchment areas that are of vital importance for the integrity of limestone landscapes."

The characteristic of this national park are its karsts that are millions of years old, and said to be most valuable in Southeast Asia. It has majestic landscapes with a spectacular cave system, abundant biological diversity and many historical and cultural relics, and underground rivers.

The park, located in Bo Trach district, Quang Binh province, is home to nearly 2,934 species of fauna and flora.

In 2014, Quang Binh welcomed around 2.8 million tourists, including 43,000 foreigners, an increase of 129 percent compared to the previous year.

In the first three months, the number reached more than 56,000, and the province expects to welcome a total of 3.3 million guests this year.

A cave festival entitled "Quang Binh - Kingdom of the Caves," will be organised from July 15 to 21.

Many interesting activities such as the launch of new tourist destinations, promotions and tourist discounts and farm trips will be held during the event which is part of efforts to promote local culture, tourism and the uniqueness of the caves to attract both international and domestic investors and tourists.

Source: VNA

Bài viết liên quan

	World-class cruise liner makes first visit to Vietnam The world-class cruise liner Quantum of the Seas, carrying over 6,000 passengers and crew members, anchored in Vietnam for the first time in Tan Cang Cai Mep port in the Southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau on June 17. Detail >>

	Vietnamese culture shines in Argentina A seminar on Vietnamese culture took place at the Salvador University in Buenos Aires, Argentina on June 20. Detail >>

	Craft fruit artwork on General Giap wins gold prize at Southern Fruit Fest A craft fruit artwork entitled 'From Dien Bien Phu to the Great Victory of 1975 spring, Vo Nguyen Giap - Forever in our hearts' by artisan Phan Hong Dung won the gold prize at of the Contest on craft fruit art held within the framework of the 2015 Southern Fruit Festival at the Suoi Tien Tourist Park in Ho... Detail >>

	Major Mekong Delta tourism week to open this weekend The Mekong Delta Green Tourism Week will kick off in Can Tho City for the first time on June 27 with many activities for individual visitors and tourism companies, according to the Southwest Steering Committee, the organizer of the event. Detail >>

	PM okays new site for Phu Quoc casino Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has issued a decision approving a new location for a multi-billion-dollar recreational complex that includes a casino on Phu Quoc Island off mainland Kien Giang Province. Detail >>

	Hoi An holds int’l archaeology training course Hoi An City has opened an international archaeology course in collaboration with the Institute of Archaeology under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences. Detail >>

	The 9th Hue Festival to take place from April 29 to May 04, 2016 The 9th Hue Festival entitled "710 years since the founding of Thuan Hoa-Phu Xuan; cultural heritage with integration and development” will take place from April 29 to May 04, 2016. Detail >>

	Hundreds of artefacts discovered near Ho Dynasty Citadel Hundreds of artefacts dating back to the 10th century have been discovered in Vinh Long commune, Vinh Loc district in the central province of Thanh Hoa, about 1 km southeast of the Ho Dynasty Citadel. Detail >>

	Exhibition marks centenary birthday of late Party chief An exhibition offering a comprehensive view on the life of late Party General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh and achievements of the Doi Moi process that he strongly promoted opened in Hanoi on June 22. Detail >>

	An untouched beach near Hoi An Around three kilometers from Hoi An City on the central coast, An Bang beach is still in its primitive state. Clean water, yellow sand, a pure atmosphere and daily chores of local fishermen make the beach area unique. Detail >>