Larger heritage space, more tourist attraction

According to Mr. Nguyen Chau A, General Director of Oxalis Adventure and Oxalis Holiday, the only unit currently operating Son Doong tours in Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, UNESCO's recognition of the first cross-border world heritage site between Vietnam and Laos is a good thing, but also poses many challenges.

"When there is a connection between the two national parks, it will create a larger open space, greater and more diverse opportunities for conservation as well as tourism development. It is possible to open tours starting from Phong Nha through Laos, then ending in Phong Nha without border barriers. Heritage is created by humans, so there are boundaries, but nature does not discriminate. Therefore, if we can do the above, the power to attract tourists will be very large," Mr. Nguyen Chau A emphasized.

Xe Bang Fai Cave, located in Laos' Hin Nam No National Park

PHOTO: QUANGTRI TOURISM

According to Mr. Nguyen Chau A, when Hin Nam No National Park (Laos) is officially listed as an extension of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, the responsibility of both sides in protecting and promoting the heritage will be attached. "To do this, both sides need to have specific mechanisms. For example, visitors with visas to Vietnam to explore Phong Nha - Ke Bang will also be accepted by Laos and vice versa. I also thought and proposed the idea of an international tourist border gate, meaning that this border gate only serves tourism between the two countries, without transporting minerals or goods. This is the basis for allowing the organization of cross-border tours," Mr. A emphasized.

Mr. Nguyen Chau A also faced the truth that the Hin Nam No National Park area in Laos is currently facing many difficulties in development due to poor transportation and limited services, despite its great potential, including the large Xe Bang Fai cave. "If you want to develop, you need to know what Laos wants and how open it is. I have just received an invitation from Laos to attend the UNESCO decision announcement event at the end of this month," said Mr. A.

Similarly, Mr. Dang Dong Ha, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Tri province, also said that for the first time Vietnam has a cross-border world natural heritage with Laos, which is an exciting thing. In order to gain UNESCO recognition, over the years, the cultural sectors of the two countries as well as the two provinces and the two national parks have had many connections, signed agreements, and supported each other from ideas to completing the dossiers, submitting them to competent authorities and UNESCO. According to Mr. Ha, the cross-border heritage journey of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Park has a lot of potential and expectations. "There is potential, natural values on our side and your side, in addition to preserving those values and developing tourism and economy, this is a beautiful story that strengthens the affection between the two countries, the two provinces like the long-standing tradition of Vietnam - Laos brothers", Mr. Ha emphasized.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/khong-gian-di-san-lon-hon-suc-hut-du-khach-nhieu-hon-18525072000170582.htm