MOU signing between Oxalis Adventure (Vietnam) and Green Discovery (Laos) to promote cave tourism in Vietnam and Lao DPR.

On September 15, 2022, as a part of a consultation meeting to promote cave tourism between Viet Nam and Lao PDR, organised by IUCN in collaboration with Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park Management Board, other departments in Quang Binh and Kham Muon Provinces, Oxalis Adventure (Viet Nam) and Green Discovery Laos (Lao PDR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop transboundary tourism activities in Phong Nha – Ke Bang and Hin Nam No National Parks (NPs), providing high-quality experiences for tourists while preserving natural resources.

Phong Nha – Ke Bang (PN-KB) is located in Bo Trach and Minh Hoa Districts, Quang Binh Province with a total area of ​​over 123,000 hectares. The Park was recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Site (WHS) for its Outstanding Global Values ​​of geology, geomorphology (2003) and biodiversity (2015). 

Hin Nam No (HNN) is a national Nature Reserve in Bualapha District, Khammouane Province, central Lao PDR, with a total area of ​​more than 82,000 hectares. With a rich ecosystem covering a large karst system, HNN is the habitat of  many flora and fauna species, rare animals and magnificent caves.

HNN Nature Reserve is finalising its nomination process to become an UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site as an extension of the Phong Nha – Ke Bang World Natural Heritage Site. If the nomination is successful, HNN will be Lao PDR’s first WHS. Moreover, combining HNN and PN-KB will form an area of ​​217,000 hectares and become one of the largest karst ecosystems in the world.

Two NPs are adjacent to each other and share the same boundary of a large karst system in the border of Vietnam and Laos. It is essential to have the Transboundary Management Framework for two NPs to exchange information, share experience in terms of forest protection patrol, biodiversity conservation, livelihood development and tourism development. 

Over the years, community-based-ecotourism products and nature adventure tours in Quang Binh and Kham Muon have developed rapidly. Two most prominent companies in this area are Oxalis Adventure and Green Discovery Laos.

Through the survey participated by IUCN and UNESCO along with some significant activities of Oxalis Adventure in recent years in PN-KB NP and Green Discovery Laos, it has been recognised that collaboration between Oxalis Adventure and Green Discovery Laos will contribute to promoting nature tourism between Quang Binh and Kham Muon Provinces; developing transboundary tourism products; improving local livelihoods and reducing pressure on NPs.

MOU between Oxalis Adventure and Green Discovery Laos embraces the followings: 

1. Oxalis Adventure and Green Discovery Laos cooperate with Hin Namno National Nature Reserve and Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park to develop transboundary tourism activities 
2. Exchange knowledge in high-quality adventure products developments 
3. Exchange staffs/manager secondment of learning and sharing experiences 
4. Exchange training programs on safety, conservation, and services for staff, managers and local communities 
5. Exchange risk management assessment between Oxalis Adventure and Green Discovery Laos. 

This activity is a part of the project “Sustainable Tourism and Protected Areas in the Post-COVID World” implemented by IUCN and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).