UNESCO names Phong Nha-Ke Bang a World Biosphere Reserve

Mr. Pham Hong Thai, Director of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, announced that UNESCO had officially recognized Phong Nha-Ke Bang as a World Biosphere Reserve. With this designation, Phong Nha-Ke Bang has become a member of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

The decision was made on June 5 during the 38th session of the International Coordinating Council of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme, held in Hernandarias, Paraguay. This is the 12th World Biosphere Reserve in Vietnam to be recognized by UNESCO.

The Phong Nha-Ke Bang Biosphere Reserve covers a total area of 515,830 hectares, including a core zone of 123,326 hectares, a buffer zone of 220,055 hectares, and a transition zone of 172,449 hectares.

Le Van Bao, deputy chairman of the Quang Tri administration, said the new designation is both a source of pride and a responsibility to preserve natural values for future generations.

He added that it also opens greater opportunities for international cooperation, scientific research, environmental education, and the expansion of green and community-based tourism.

The latest recognition adds to Phong Nha-Ke Bang's growing list of international honors.

The site was first inscribed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 2003 for its outstanding geological and geomorphological values, and its listing was extended in 2015 to include ecosystems and biodiversity criteria.

It also forms part of a transboundary World Natural Heritage Site shared with Hin Nam No National Park in Laos, which UNESCO recognized in 2025 as the first of its kind in Southeast Asia.

The new biosphere reserve designation is expected to further strengthen the park's global standing and support more sustainable development in the region, particularly by promoting ecotourism, scientific research, and long-term conservation efforts in Quang Tri.

The latest UNESCO recognition once again affirms the outstanding global value of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in terms of biodiversity, ecosystems, and unique natural landscapes. It also acknowledges the locality’s persistent efforts in nature conservation, natural resource management, and promoting heritage values associated with sustainable development.

The designation as a World Biosphere Reserve marks the third time that Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park has been internationally honored by UNESCO, following its two previous recognitions as a World Natural Heritage Site and as Southeast Asia’s first transboundary World Natural Heritage Site.

UNESCO’s global network currently includes 759 biosphere reserves across 136 countries. With Phong Nha-Ke Bang’s addition, Viet Nam now counts 11 World Biosphere Reserves. This recognition is expected to drive socio-economic development, particularly tourism in Quảng Trị, while elevating the province’s profile on the global map of nature conservation and sustainable tourism, in pursuit of green growth and long-term sustainability.

In 2003, UNESCO recognized Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park as a Natural World Heritage Site for its geological and geomorphological values. On July 3, 2015, the park was recognized by UNESCO for the second time as a World Natural Heritage Site under the criterion of biodiversity.

On July 13, 2025, during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Paris, UNESCO officially approved the expansion of the boundaries of the World Natural Heritage Site of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park. This expansion included Hin Nam No National Park, creating the first transboundary World Heritage Site in Southeast Asia, designated as “Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Park.”

The Phong Nha cave system has a total length of over 45 km and originates from the southern limestone mountains of the Ke Bang area. The main entrances of this system are Hang En and Hang Khe Ry, located at an elevation of about 300 meters above sea level, and it ultimately extends to Phong Nha Cave, with a total length of nearly 45 km.

Recognition as a World Biosphere Reserve will further enhance the international standing of Phong Nha-Ke Bang while opening up new opportunities for scientific research, biodiversity conservation, environmental education, ecotourism, community-based tourism, and the development of a green economy.