Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

With the establishment of the National Park in 2001, the local communities have been affected by the prohibition of access to forest resources and, in some cases, relocation. This has led to some impacts, notably for ethnic minorities, resulting from the loss of forest-dependent livelihoods. However, the Quang Binh Provincial People’s Committee has indicated that there is a possibility of reviewing the regulations to allow ethnic minorities to continue some customary practices (UNESCO and IUCN, 2018). Moreover, based on the Directive on conservation and promotion of the World Heritage values from 2020, the province has understood the need to cooperate with “entire people” on conservation of the site (State Party of Viet Nam, 2023). This is of particular interest when considered also in conjunction with the Strategic Management Plan, which states that “nothing in this document is intended to diminish in any way their (ethnic minority groups) rights, either legally recognized or customarily”. Some local communities receive government subsidies to compensate for the loss of access to forest resources, but still suffer food shortages both as a result of access restrictions and the limited availability of agricultural lands which, given the high proportion of local people dependent on agriculture and the increasing demand for food both from a growing population and a growing number of visitors, is a major concern for the community. An Action Plan, which has engaged local people in systematic patrolling to reduce poaching and other infringements, has been combined with a series of awareness raising activities, such that the number of people involved in the illegal exploitation of natural resources, has decreased while the number of people involved in forest protection has increased. A project run by the Park in cooperation with the Forestry University on providing solutions for sustainable use of natural resources has contributed to increasing the income of local people by creating new jobs. In parallel with this strategy, the Management Board has implemented various livelihood improvement programmes for villages in the buffer zone by introducing alternative income generating activities such as bee-keeping, animal husbandry, vegetable cultivation, and communal forestry. 29 forest protection groups in 8 communes of the buffer zone have been established alongside 21 village conservation groups that form forest protection patrols (State Party of Viet Nam, 2023).

The Quang Binh PPC implemented the Sustainable Forest Management and Biodiversity Conservation Project (VFBC) in the core and buffer zones of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park with activities to improve the capacity of the Management Board and improve the livelihoods of people in the buffer zone. With support from the VFBC Project, the Park Management Board has developed a Key Species Monitoring Plan in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park (8 key species in the IUCN Red List); established and effectively operated 11 community-based trap removal patrol teams. The staff participating in the management and protection of Heritage is increasingly strengthened through the maintenance and use of contracted forest protection staff from local people from programs and projects such as the "Agreement on payment for greenhouse gas emission reduction in the North Central region (ERPA)" according to Decree No. 107/2022/ND-CP dated December 28, 2022 of the Government and the "Sustainable forestry development program for the period 2021-2025" according to Decision No. 809/QD-TTg dated July 12, 2022 of the Prime Minister, attracting the participation of 50 buffer zone communities in forest management and benefiting from livelihood support activities from this source (State Party of Viet Nam, 2024).

The 2018 Reactive Monitoring Mission report noted that all members of the Management Board are government officials and even though many activities for the involvement of local communities have been conducted, there is no formal mechanism in place to ensure the participation of a wider group of stakeholders in the management of the site and makes recommendations to rectify this (UNESCO and IUCN, 2018). There are also strong cultural and economic ties to populations bordering the National Park on the Lao side. Such communities should also be involved in activities where possible (IUCN Consultation, 2020b). Currently, two policies have been implemented: the tourism development and payments for forest environmental services (PFES) programmes. Although PNKB NP has devoted much time to the tourism development policy, with some success, disparities in implementation have meant that central areas, such as Xuan Tien Village, have benefited significantly from tourism revenue, whereas remote areas, such as Rao Con village have not yet had the opportunity to participate in income-generating tourism activities. As a result, the gap between the livelihoods of the two villages has widened, exacerbated by inappropriate distributions of the financial budget (the Phong Nha fee). Moreover, the lack of participation in the policy by local residents has meant the PFES has had little effect on their livelihoods (Van Mai and Kin, 2020).

More recently, the Park Management Board organized a multi-sectoral dialogue forum with authorities at all levels and stakeholders to discuss and agree on management solutions for livestock grazing in the Heritage area. The parties signed a Cooperation Agreement on the consensus to establish a Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue Forum and a Multi-Sectoral Consultative Council for the Sustainable Development of the World Natural Heritage of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, contributing to enhancing the effectiveness and participation of stakeholders in resolving issues arising in the management process of the World Natural Heritage of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park (State Party of Viet Nam, 2024).

Designated as a Nature Reserve in 1986, Phong Nha - Ke Bang became a National Park in 2001. A Management Board, established in 1994, is responsible for protection of forest resources and biodiversity. Cave conservation and tourism services are the responsibility of the Tourism Centre under the Management Board. The site is also included in the Special National Heritage List (2009), and the Special Use Forest system (1999). It is effectively protected by a number of national laws and government decisions, which prohibit any action that may have a significant impact on the site's OUV, therefore the legal framework would seem to be strong (World Heritage Committee, 2012). The operational bodies with powers of control and management are found across various responsible executive departments, and decisions on heritage-related questions are made at the following levels, according to the importance of the decisions: 1) Prime Minister’s office; 2) The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; 3) The Quang Binh Provincial People’s Committee; 4) The Management Board of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. The main operational responsibilities reside in the power of the Provincial People’s Committee including the decision-making on the important development issues and budget allocation, while implementation of technical activities is carried out by the Management Board, which controls human resources for operation of the property. Major projects and important directives are issued at the national level, through Prime Ministerial Decisions. There is evidence of a flaw in this structure in that two such decisions regarding the planned development of mass tourism in the administrative zone and the urbanization of the buffer zone are inconsistent with maintaining the site's OUV and there is no procedure for the integration of Environmental Impact Assessment in the planning process. Development and proposed development which is inconsistent with the management plan has resulted in the 2018 Reactive Monitoring Mission expressing the need for the State Party to establish an official mission statement to set an institutional vision that emphasizes the primary management objective of maintaining the OUV of the site (UNESCO and IUCN, 2018). Such an official mission statement may be unlikely, given the recent approval of a Master Plan for the development of tourism in Phong Nha – Ke Bang until 2030, which holds little indication for a change in directions (IUCN Consultation, 2020b). Currently, central ministries and branches are researching and consulting the Prime Minister to adjust the Master Plan for the construction of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh province until 2030 to preserve and develop Phong Nha -Ke Bang National Park comprehensively, in accordance with practical requirements and in accordance with current legal regulations (State Party of Viet Nam, 2024).

Quang Binh province has recently focused on stabilizing the organizational structure of the Management Board of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, however the board still faces difficulties and problems regarding the organizational model of the Forest Protection Department according to the provisions of the Forestry Law and Decree No. 01/2019/ND-CP of the Government (State Party of Viet Nam, 2024). The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has a Plan to develop legal documents in 2024, including the content
of amending Decree No. 01/2019/NDCP of the Government. In the coming time, the Provincial People's Committee will continue to propose to the Government, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Ministry of Home Affairs to consider
and provide guidance to resolve difficulties in the organizational model of the Management Board of National Park. At the same time, the Management Board will develop a project to improve the organizational structure, functions, and tasks of the unit to ensure compliance with regulations (State Party of Viet Name, 2024).

Following the socio-economic development plan for the period 2016-2020, Action plan for international integration in the period of 2019-2023 and Annual plan of foreign activities of the province, the Quang Binh province in Viet Nam has been cooperating with Khammuone province in Lao PDR on biodiversity conservation in the bordering area between Phong Nha National Park - Ke Bang and Hin Nam No National Park (Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park World Heritage Site, 2012). Recently an extension nomination was granted and the site is now a transnational property, which can be considered an important step in strengthening the overall integrity of the area.

The National Park is embedded in the planning of Quang Binh province for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050 with the aim of preserving and developing Phong Nha -Ke Bang National Park comprehensively, in accordance with practical requirements and in accordance with current legal regulations (State Party of Viet Nam, 2024).

Following the socio-economic development plan for the period 2016-2020, Action plan for international integration in the period of 2019-2023 and Annual plan of foreign activities of the province, the Quang Binh province in Viet Nam has been cooperating with Khammuone Province in Lao PDR on biodiversity conservation in the bordering area between Phong Nha National Park - Ke Bang and Hin Nam No National Park (State Party of Viet Nam, 2021). The authorities of the two provinces have included the content of cooperation in conservation and promotion of biodiversity values and outstanding values of the two National Parks in the working program and the Minutes of the high-level talks of the two provinces in 2023 and 2024. Accordingly, the two provinces will continue to cooperate in preserving and promoting the values of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Park. In 2025 an extension nomination aiming to become the first transboundary World Natural Heritage site in Southeast Asia was accepted by the Committee.

In 2015 and 2025 boundary modifications have been approved to ensure a larger more intact ecosystem that offers additional protection to the water catchments, which are critical to the integrity of karst landscapes. The first extension increased the size of the existing site by some 46% and is part of the same karst plateau, covering largely undisturbed forest. The buffer zone encircled the entire extended site to the north, east and south to further strengthen integrity. The land immediately adjacent to the site is either designated as forest protection area or watershed protection zone.

In 2025, site was extended to include the Him Nam No National Park in Lao PDR to further improve connectivity with the karst landscape.

The property now totals an area of 217,447 ha with a buffer zone of 295,889 ha. The overall length of the HNN NP boundary is 245.0 km, out of which 72 km is congruent with the country border between Laos and Vietnam and is defined by 15 boundary markers. On most of this stretch, the boundary crosses an almost inaccessible forest area along the watershed of the Central Annamite Mountain Range. The buffer zone of Hin Nam No NP is congruent with the border between Laos and Vietnam on a length of 25.7 km, which is defined by 11 markers. The length of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and its buffer zone that is congruent with the border between Laos and Vietnam is 53.3 km and 134.2 km respectively. The former is defined by 8 markers, and the latter by 42 boundary markers. The total length of the shared boundary between Hin Nam No and Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Parks, which is entire congruent with both countries’ national shared border is 187.5 km. The total length of the shared buffer zone boundaries of the parks is 97.7 km. Of the 171.4 km of the Hin Nam No National Park’s boundary inside Lao PDR, 37.9 km (15.5%) follows the Xe Bang Fai River or the Nam Ngo River. In this case, the boundary is delimited either over the deepest part or in the middle of the river. Most of the remaining 133.5 km (54.5%) of the boundary follows the base of a karst cliff or traverses foothills of this mountainous landscape (Lao PDR, 2025).

In regards to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park the People's Committee of Quang Binh province issued a Decision in 2023 on approving the buffer zone dossier in Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park with the goal of determining the boundary scope, location, and area of the buffer zone in Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park in accordance with the land use status of people in Doong village,
Tan Trach commune, Bo Trach district to stabilize people's lives and minimize impacts on resources in the area. Accordingly, the buffer zone area in Phong Nha -Ke Bang National Park in Doong village is determined to be 55.5 hectares. On September 4, 2024, the Provincial People's Committee also issued Official Dispatch No.4241/VPUBND-TH on the policy of supporting funding for the
implementation of the project of Marking the boundary of the buffer zone inside Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park in Doong village, Tan Trach commune, Bo Trach district (State Party of Viet Nam, 2024).

None

The World Heritage Committee's concern regarding a cable car development in the area of Son Doong Cave and Hang En Cave were resolved when the Committee welcomed advice that 'the State Party has no intention to build a cable car to the Son Doong and Hang En caves or any other similar project within the property' (UNESCO, 2019). The World Heritage Committee and IUCN have both previously expressed concerns about the threat of road developments in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (Worboys, 2012) and this threat has not been adequately resolved as there has been no documented research to assess the impact of the now completed roadworks. The serious concern about use of the completed road has been partially resolved by the establishment of a number of ranger stations and checkpoints at key points of the road(s) (State Party of Viet Nam, 2019). The World Heritage Committee’s concern about the tourism infrastructure development has been addressed with the State Party’s response noting no infrastructure will be done in or near the caves to avoid the impact on OUV (World Heritage Committee, 2023).

The State Party of Viet Nam (2023) reported it has developed a Plan on implementing the national strategy on climate change to 2025 in Quang Binh Province, which is waiting for approval. The Park notes that climate monitoring weather stations and a climate disaster database in the Park will form a response to climate monitoring (Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park World Heritage Site, 2012).

The main documents upon which management of the property is based are a 2013–2025 Strategic Management Plan Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park World Heritage Site, supported by the 2010–2020 Sustainable Tourism Development Plan, the 2013–2020 National Park Operational Management Plan and the Buffer Zone Development Plan (State Party of Viet Nam, 2021; Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park World Heritage Site, 2012). The Strategic Management Plan provides planning for the World Heritage property and the surrounding region. It is unclear whether the National Park Management Plan 2020-2040 has been adopted, but the State Party of Viet Nam (2023) noted that heritage values still need to be integrated into this plan. Following the evaluation of the re-nomination and extension of the World Heritage site in 2015, the World Heritage Committee requested the State Party to revise the Sustainable Tourism Development Plan, reflecting the site’s extension and to ensure an integrated and environmentally sensitive approach to tourism. The World Heritage Committee kept reiterating its request for the State Party to revise the Sustainable Tourism Development Plan (World Heritage Committee, 2019, World Heritage Committee, 2021; World Heritage Committee, 2023). A Master Plan for the Development of Tourism in Phong Nha – Ke Bang until 2030 was approved by the State Government (2017). There are severe concerns about its implementation, proposing 2,500ha of additional tourism site development in adjacent Park communes. There is little indication that the Plan will be implemented in line with the expressed conservation missions outlined in earlier plans (IUCN Consultation, 2020b). There are concerns in terms of the Park’s management structure. While the resources' management lies within the responsibilities of the Management Board of the Park, income from touristic activities and from environmental fees paid by visitors entering the strictly protected zone are administered by the Treasury House of the Province, which then returns revenues to the Park based on budget estimations and conservation proposals made. The Tourism Centre Unit, though functionally under the National Park Management, is however also able to access financing directly with the Treasury House. It is therefore difficult for the National Park Management to control touristic developments in the area, which may be under greater influence of the provincial government (IUCN Consultation, 2020b). Furthermore, the division of the National Park into three different functional zones holds dangers in that touristic developments in the Administrative and Service Area are made justifiable and that these can be facilitated easier (IUCN Consultation, 2020b). Although only recently inscribed as a transboundary property, collaboration with Him Nam No in Lao PDR on forest protection, monitoring and management of natural resources is ongoing. The two parks signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2023, enhancing cooperation in diverse areas, such as research planning, knowledge exchange, sharing of law enforcement, and capacity development.

The Strategic Management Plan for the period 2013 - 2025 for Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park and the Operational Management Plan for the period 2013 - 2020 for Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park have expired or are about to expire and many contents are no longer suitable or do not meet the practical and legal requirements for effective management.

The policy of developing a World Natural Heritage Management Plan for Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park is underway along with a decision on allocating from the Planning Capital source of the provincial budget in 2024 to provide funding for the Management Board of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park to develop a World Natural Heritage Management Plan for Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, period 2025 - 2030, vision to 2050. Currently, the Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park Management Board is coordinating with relevant departments, branches and localities to implement the next steps according to current regulations, expected to be completed in 2025. In addition, Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park Management Board has organized an assessment of the effectiveness of conservation management work through the use of the Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT-4). The METT-4 management performance monitoring tool helps the Park Management Board analyze risks and collect information on status and trends in protected areas. From there, it aims to propose solutions to improve management to maintain and increase forest cover and conserve biodiversity in Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park (State Party of Viet Nam, 2024).

The State Party advised in December 2014 of a series of measures to combat poaching and illegal activity within the World Heritage site, however, at the time of IUCN's evaluation in 2015, concerns remained regarding a lack of funding, staffing and capacity (IUCN, 2015). In 2017 and again in 2019 the State Party reported further measures to enhance law enforcement within the site, including the establishment of strategically located ranger stations and checkpoints, engagement with village based forest protection groups, collaboration with relevant local agencies to enhance forest protection measures and an extensive programme of community education and awareness activities in parallel with strong stance on pursuing the prosecution of violators. This strategic approach, combined with a livelihood improvement programme, has resulted in a significant reduction in the number of violations. Despite this, the 2019 State of Conservation report by the State Party also notes that forest fires, which do occur in the site, are mainly due to slash-and-burn agriculture, honey collection and the carelessness of those who engage in illegal tourism activities and that illegal exploitation of NTFPs continues due to high market demand and the lack of employment in parts of the buffer zone (State Party of Viet Nam, 2017 and 2019). Furthermore, illegal grazing within the site boundaries remains an issue (State Party of Viet Nam, 2024).

As of 2024, the Forest Protection Department of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park has 11 forest protection stations, 02 Mobile Forest Protection Teams, 02 Professional Departments. There are 02 Ranger Stations with barriers in charge of controlling the eastern and western gateways of the National Park. To strengthen the protection of the area adjacent to the core zone of Hin Nam No National Park (Lao PDR), Quang Binh province has approved the policy of establishing Con Roang Ranger Station under Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park Ranger Department to ensure better implementation of forest management and protection tasks in the border area, adjacent to Hin Nam No National Park (State Party of Viet Nam, 2024). The effectiveness of these measures remains to be evaluated.

The current annual allocation of funds by the State Party for management of the World Heritage site is unknown. The Master Plan for tourism development until 2030 states a target of 8200 billion VND to be generated from touristic activities in and adjacent to the National Park borders (IUCN Consultation, 2020b). The State Party of Viet Nam (2021) reported 376 VND were earned from tourism activities. The policy of developing a World Natural Heritage Management Plan for Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park is underway along with a decision on allocating from the Planning Capital source of the provincial budget in 2024 to provide funding for the Management Board of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park to develop a World Natural Heritage Management Plan for Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, period 2025 - 2030, vision to 2050.

From 2015 to 2018 there has been an extensive programme of training provided to Forest Protection Unit Rangers in the areas of enforcement and biodiversity monitoring (State Party of Viet Nam, 2019). The State Party of Viet Nam (2021) reported that the Park staff and Quang Binh province participated in several training workshops focused on the improvement of wildlife protection capacity for law enforcement forces, mitigation of natural disaster risks, and improvement of professional skills and expertise in relic management. Furthermore, the provincial government and Park staff participated in a study tour in Europe to gather experience about transboundary World Heritage Management, and tourism management in karstic cave ecosystems (Transboundary Conservation Specialist Group, 2024; Common Wadden Sea Secretariat, 2024). Park staff has also been trained in using spatial monitoring and reporting tool (SMART) for monitoring purposes, including conversion of SMART desktop to mobile system, application of drone devices, and ArcGIS (State Party of Viet Nam, 2023). The Provincial People's Committee has also directed the development and approval of the Job Position Project and Financial autonomy project in the period 2025-2030. Planning, training and coaching are focused on improving the quality of the National Park staff. In addition, departments, branches, sectors and units have actively coordinated with training institutions in the province to organize training courses to improve professional capacity for those participating in tourism activities, and basic skills in developing community tourism for people (State Party of Viet Nam, 2024).

From 2015 to 2018 the Board has conducted 25 environmental interpretation sessions for about 700 school students and youth union members in the buffer zone communes in collaboration with village forest protection teams; implemented an education and training programme on nature conservation, developed education skills for teachers and school students in secondary schools in the buffer zone; integrated the knowledge and information about the site into the teaching curriculum for grades 6, 7, and 8; organized writing contests to introduce PNKB NP as a natural World Heritage site promoted the development of school posters for secondary school students in the buffer zone communes; produced and installed 150 panels to communicate the values of forests and call for wildlife protection and forest fire management (State Party of Viet Nam, 2019). The educational activities continued throughout the 2020s, raising awareness of the local population on wildlife, forest protection, and control and prevention of invasive alien species (State Party of Viet Nam, 2021, State Party of Viet Nam, 2023).

The 2013-2020 National Park Management Plan's objective for tourism development was to ensure that the conservation of the site’s heritage values is supported through tourism development that emphasizes research, learning and awareness-raising about those heritage values. It details the activities/requirements to meet this objective as the development of: a Tourism Monitoring and Management Programme; a Site Visitor Management Plan for any cave to be used for tourism activity; a water-based tourist product in the park and Buffer Zone; a concept plan for tourism operations in the Botanical Garden, Bamboo Valley, the Gao Forest and U Bo Peak; interpretation material for the Phong Nha Visitor Centre; site-specific interpretation plans and materials for priority sites; site interpretation tailored to reach the various audiences that visit the property including the construction of a visitor interpretation centre; allowing only guides certified to be knowledgeable about cave protection and safety to lead groups into the caves; environmental and social impact assessments together with an impact mitigation plan for any tourism development in the park particularly if the development or activity involves a cave; a sustainable project working towards the privatization of the Park’s (2,500 ha) Tourism Centre. In 2018 (with 75% of the planning period lapsed), progress towards meeting the plan's objective for tourism development was inadequate. Recently, several projects have been initiated towards reaching sustainability in tourism. The State Party of Viet Nam (2023) reported about an implementation of “Sustainable exploitation and development of cave tourism resources in Quang Binh province” project, the results of which have informed the Quang Binh tourism development planning document for 2021-2030, including a vision to 2050. Another project, “Evaluating the tourist capacity of some caves in Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park“, aims to synthesize the information on cave tourism (State Party of Viet Nam, 2023). A project on “ecotourism, resort and entertainment” in the National Park aims to inform sustainable tourism development by, among other issues, re-evaluating the 18 existing routes and ecotourism sites, as to improve the quality of cave tourism and reduce pressure on the environment (Word Heritage Committee, 2023). The noted Tourism development planning in the Quang Binh provincial master plan for the period of 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050 has been finalized, however, it is awaiting opinion of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (State Party of Viet Nam, 2023). The overall Master plan for the development of Phong Nha - Ke Bang national tourist area to 2030 was approved by the Government. This Master plan together with the Tourism development planning document, the ecotourism-focused project, and investment in the development of the tourist urban area, aim to integrate management, conservation and promotion of World Heritage values (State Party of Viet Nam, 2023).

Quang Binh Provincial People's Committee has coordinated with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to develop project documents, commit and be ready to arrange counterpart funds to implement the Project "Promoting wildlife conservation and responsible nature-based tourism for sustainable development in Vietnam". Quang Binh province has also ordered a state-level scientific research project on “Assessing the tourism capacity of some caves in Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park”. The project is chaired by the Institute of Geology under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and will be put into application in 2025 (State Party of Viet Nam, 2024).

With reports about over visitation in some areas, associated pollution and the lack of monitoring of tourist groups and their activities, further efforts are needed to ensure that tourism activities do not have a negative impact on the property's OUV (Le et al. 2025; Truong, 2022). If the above plans are implemented effectively and visitation is aligned with the results from the carrying capacity study, tourism management is likely to improve. However, it will be critical to align the development of tourism with the protection of the OUV as "by 2030, Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park aims to become an adventure tourism center in Asia, a leading destination for exploring and experiencing nature in Vietnam with a synchronous, modern infrastructure system, diverse, high-quality tourism products, sustainable tourism development associated with community benefits, in which typical products are cave exploration; research, study of biodiversity, indigenous culture and archaeological relics" (State Party of Viet Nam, 2024). Furthermore, it is somewhat unclear how the various tourism related plans form part of an integrated strategy.

Past reports indicate several problems pertaining to sustainable use. One report indicates that the collection of certain plant species has ceased only because they can no longer be found and the abundance of certain fauna (pigs, binturong and primates) has noticeably declined (UNEP-WCMC, 2011). The impact of inappropriate lighting, inadequate site hardening and lack of behavioural control has caused significant damage to the Phong Nha and Tien son caves (Pers. obs., 2013; Trinh et al., 2018). The development of a mass tourism product (Paradise Cave) in the Strict Ecotourism Zone was in itself inappropriate, lacking behavioural control and leading to overcrowding. The development of the Nuoc Mooc Eco Trail area as an aquatic playground along with the development zip-lines and cave mud bathing all severely challenges a commitment to sustainable use. Furthermore, the World Heritage Committee observed that "Environmental Impact Assessments must be undertaken and complied with to ensure that any infrastructure and tourism developments being considered within the property and adjacent areas do not adversely affect the Outstanding Universal Value of the Property". The Worboys report (2012) additionally recommends that the Management Board be formally accountable for approval or non-approval of such assessments. A major sustainable use challenge concerns inadequate protection of customary use rights and equitable resource management planning.

Although progress has been made in this regard (see involvement of stakeholders above), there is no indication that customary forest use areas are currently effectively mapped out or recognized. Subsistence use and traditional agriculture is conflated with external pressures without adequate regulatory protection mechanisms (Larsen and Nguyen, 2012), although the Provincial People’s Committee has recently indicated that there is a possibility of reviewing the regulations to allow ethnic minorities to continue some customary practices. This is of particular interest when considered in conjunction with Section 1.8.2 of the Strategic Management Plan, which states that nothing in that document is intended to diminish in any way the customary rights of ethnic minority groups (UNESCO and IUCN, 2018).

Furthermore, there is an ongoing problem regarding livestock and grazing in the buffer zone and in parts within the property.
After consulting with local authorities of 13 communes and 3 districts in the buffer zone of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park in 2024, Phong Nha -Ke Bang National Park Management Board issued a Plan on managing livestock and livestock grazing activities in adjacent areas and within the forest area of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park (hereinafter referred to as the Plan). The plan includes activities, mobilizing local people to properly carry out livestock and animal grazing activities according to the provisions of law; Reviewing and making specific statistics to monitor and have control measures, minimizing the impact of livestock and animals on the outstanding global value of World Heritage, at the same time, research and propose zoning areas for livestock and pets suitable to natural conditions and the specific socio-cultural and religious characteristics of local communities, ensuring stable life, security, order, social safety and ensuring environmental sanitation and natural landscapes. After issuing the plan, local authorities of the buffer zone communes and the Forest Protection Department of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park worked together to
drastically and synchronously handle the situation of livestock grazing that affects the landscape, environment and tourism activities. In the Doong village area of Tan Trach commune, based on a Plan for implementation and has conducted inspections and
statistics of the entire number of buffaloes and cows in the village, organized propaganda to mobilize people not to buy more cattle for breeding to increase the herd due to mechanical factors, and required reporting to the Forest Protection Department when there is a change in the number of cattle (decrease/increase in number due to natural reproduction). Support funding for building fences to
demarcate livestock grazing areas for villagers to prevent livestock from entering the forests of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park (State Party of Viet Nam, 2024).

The introduction of wildlife monitoring using the spatial monitoring and reporting tool (SMART) in 2017 has been a significant step forward. Apart from SMART, monitoring tools include GIS mapping and camera trap surveys, allowing the identification and protection of high biodiversity areas and early warnings for natural disasters (State Party of Viet Nam, 2023). In 2021 and 2022, the Park Management Board conducted two surveys of photo traps, the analysis of which showed existence of 32 mammal species and 35 bird species (State Party of Viet Nam, 2023). Furthermore, the Park coordinated the development of a monitoring plan to monitor changes in the population status and distribution range of eight key species in the Park; namely, Brown-shamed Douc (Pygathrix nemaeus), Ha Tinh Langur (Trachypithecus hatinhensis), Southern White-cheeked Gibbon (Nomascus siki), Asiatic Black Bear (Ursus thibethanus), Southern Serow (Capricornis milneedvrardsii), Annamite Striped Rabbit (Nesolagus timminsi), Grey Peacock-pheasant (Polyplectron bicalcaratum), and Silver pheasant (Lophura riycthemera). It is planned to carry out regular annual monitoring activities for these species. A project focusing on the distribution, assessment of invasiveness and eradication of Merrimia boisiana in the National Park, is pending approval by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (State Party of Viet Nam, 2023).

Research projects on biodiversity and cave systems has been regularly ongoing, and the State Party of Viet Nam (2021) reported about the implementation of many scientific projects. For example, those on the distribution of Calocedrus rupestris, the impact of invasive species, and a test plan to eradicate Merremia boisiana invasive species. The Management Board has been cooperating with various domestic and international scientific institutions in conducting research on geology of the caves, tourism elements, and geoheritage values. Mapping of cultural values in addition to flora (2,952 species of plants added to a database), fauna (1,395 species of animals in a database), endangered species, invasive species, hydrology, geology, heat and rain, and topography, have all been completed. Also, 404 caves have been detected and surveyed.

Previous site assessments identified the property's significant external threats to be: the demand for illegal timber and non-timber forest products combined with a nearby impoverished community that is willing and able to access the site in order to supply the demand and the improved access to and within the site; lack of protection of customary user rights and a clear co-management strategy (UNEP-WCMC, 2011; Larsen, 2008; Larsen and Nguyen, 2012). Significant progress has been made on many fronts, most notably on establishing a transboundary site to more effectively protect the karst system and various projects to enhance relationships between the management authority and local communities. Nevertheless, further work is needed and time will tell to what extent the various programmes developed will improve overall management effectiveness. Problems regarding unsustainable resource use and access to the site for grazing remain issues to be fully addressed, while ensuring local communities benefit sufficiently from the protected area.

The Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Management Board is the government agency directly responsible for implementing the management plan for the World Heritage site. The majority of the Board's human resources are allocated to the Forest Protection Unit (FPU) and Tourism Centre, and the Board collaborates with other relevant agencies to enhance forest protection and engages with local communes to participate in management through an action plan developed to minimize violations of forest protection legislation in and around the site. To a very large extent, the management plan for the site is focused on a system of zoning by functional areas and also by proposed tourism use. There are three functional areas: a Strictly Protected Area, an Ecological Restoration Area and an Administrative and Service Area. Overlaying the functional system is a Tourism Use system designated to cater for: High Volume tourism; Nature and Heritage tourism; Strict Ecotourism; Community Benefit Tourism; Tourism Infrastructure Zone; and the Plan provides detailed tourism management objectives and requirements for each of these zones. Importantly, each functional area can have one or more tourism use zones and parts not zoned for tourism use at all. Concerns expressed in previous assessments about effective management have been variably addressed. In recent years, there has been a strong focus on training and development of FPU staff focusing on practical skills and technology application in forest protection and management and the Management Board has developed local community livelihood supporting initiatives to decrease the pressure of hunting and gathering from the National Park. At the same time, the Board has developed or permitted the development of a range of additional tourism products within the World Heritage site, including new show caves, adventure caving activities, kayaking and aquatic playgrounds associated with an extensive network of zip-lines and the site has been subject to a dramatic and ongoing increase in tourist arrivals projected to reach 3.5 million by 2030. The 2018 Reactive Monitoring Mission noted that the development and management of Paradise Cave is in contradiction to the management plan as are the aquatic playgrounds and zip-lines and concluded that there is a lack of human resource in terms of both numbers and capacity of staff to cope with highly complex issues in managing such a large protected area, particularly concerning the balance between the preservation of the site’s OUV and developing sustainable tourism activities. The Mission also concluded that an enhanced awareness of the requirements and obligations of the World Heritage Convention would lead to a better decision-making process and better coordination between national and local authorities within the development co-ordination framework of the site (UNESCO and IUCN, 2018).

The issuance of the Sustainable Forest Management Plan, the Project "Ecotourism, recreation and entertainment in Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, period 2021-2030", using the METT-4 management effectiveness monitoring tool and implementing the development of the World Heritage Management Plan demonstrate the efforts of Quang Binh province in implementing the
recommendations of the World Heritage Committee, contributing to the integration of goals and unification of governance vision in the management, conservation and promotion of the values of the Heritage site.

The METT score in 2020 was 102 i.e. 89% in 2020 and no updated assessment has been carried out (State Party of Viet Nam, 2024).