List of World Heritage Sites in Southeast Asia

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The UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) has designated 41 World Heritage Sites in eleven countries (also called "State parties") of Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Singapore, and Laos. Only Brunei and East Timor lack World Heritage Sites.^[1][2]

Indonesia lead the list with nine inscribed sites, followed by Vietnam with eight inscribed sites, with the Philippines having six, Thailand five, Malaysia four, Cambodia and Laos three each, Myanmar two, and Singapore one.^[3] The first sites from the region were inscribed at the 15th session of the World Heritage Committee in 1991.^[4] The latest sites inscribed are the Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto in Indonesia, Plain of Jars in Laos, and Bagan in Myanmar, inscribed in the 43rd session of the Committee in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, in July 2019.^[5] Each year, UNESCO's World Heritage Committee may inscribe new sites or delist those no longer meeting the criteria, the selection based on ten criteria of which six stand for cultural heritage (i–vi) and four for natural heritage (vii–x);^[6] some sites are "mixed" and represent both types of heritage. In Southeast Asia, there are 26 cultural, 13 natural and 1 mixed sites.^[3]

The World Heritage Committee may also specify that a site is endangered, citing "conditions which threaten the very characteristics for which a property was inscribed on the World Heritage List." One site in this region, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra, is listed as endangered; Angkor and Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras were once listed but were taken off in 2004 and 2012 respectively.

By comparison with other world regions such as East Asia, South Asia, Middle East, Central America, and Western Europe, the designation of UNESCO sites in the Southeast Asian region has been regarded as 'too few and too slow' since the inception of the 21st century. Scholars from various Southeast Asian nations have suggested for the establishment of an inclusive Southeast Asian body that will cater to the gaps of the region's activities in UNESCO as the majority of nations in the region are underperforming in the majority of the lists adopted by UNESCO, notably the World Heritage List. More than 20 sites have been in the tentative list for more than 20 years.

Currently, 4 Southeast Asian countries are serving as members of the UNESCO Executive Board. Vietnam and Malaysia's terms shall expire in 2019, while the Philippines and Indonesia's terms shall expire in 2021. The Philippines has expressed a possible UNESCO Director-General bid in 2021 or 2025. The country has cited its possible candidate to be Senator Loren Legarda, a United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change National Adaptation Plan Champion, United Nations Global Champion for Resilience, Dangal ng Haraya Patron of Arts and Culture, Chevalier/Cavaliere to France and Italy, and an honorary royalty to the indigenous peoples of Mindanao, Panay, and the Cordilleras. She has also been cited by the United States as one of the most powerful woman in the Philippines, having support from Asian, Oceanic, and Latin American peers. The ASEAN bloc supports the possible candidature of the Philippines.^[7][8]

Legend[]

The table is sortable by column by clicking on the at the top of the appropriate column; alphanumerically for the Site, Area, and Year columns; by state party for the Location column; and by criteria type for the Criteria column. Transborder sites sort at the bottom.

Site; named after the World Heritage Committee's official designation^[3]

Location; at city, regional, or provincial level and geocoordinates

Criteria; as defined by the World Heritage Committee^[6]

Area; in hectares and acres. If available, the size of the buffer zone has been noted as well. A value of zero implies that no data has been published by UNESCO

Year; during which the site was inscribed to the World Heritage List

Description; brief information about the site, including reasons for qualifying as an endangered site, if applicable.

World Heritage Sites[]

Site	Image	Location	Criteria	Area ha (acre)	Year	Description	Refs
Angkor		Siem Reap Province,  Cambodia 13°26′N 103°50′E / 13.433°N 103.833°E / 13.433; 103.833 (Angkor)	Cultural: (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)	40,000 (99,000)	1992	The site was listed as endangered from its inscription in times of political instability following the civil war in the 1980s to 2004.	[9][10] [11]
Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley		Perak,  Malaysia 5°4′N 100°58′E / 5.067°N 100.967°E / 5.067; 100.967 (Lenggong Valley)	Cultural: (iii), (iv)	399 (990)	2012		[12]
Bagan		Mandalay Region,  Myanmar 21°10′00″N 94°52′00″E / 21.166667°N 94.866667°E / 21.166667; 94.866667 (Bagan)	Cultural: (iii), (iv), (vi)	5,005.49 (12,368.8) buffer zone 18,146.83 (44,841.8)	2019		[13]
Ban Chiang Archaeological Site		Udon Thani Province,  Thailand 17°32′55″N 103°47′23″E / 17.54861°N 103.78972°E / 17.54861; 103.78972 (Ban Chiang Archaeological Site)	Cultural: (iii)	64 (160)	1992		[14]
Baroque Churches of the Philippines		Manila; Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur; Paoay, Ilocos Norte and Miag-ao, Iloilo;  Philippines 14°35′24″N 120°58′12″E / 14.59000°N 120.97000°E / 14.59000; 120.97000 (Baroque Churches of the Philippines)	Cultural: (ii), (iv)	—	1993		[15]
Borobudur Temple Compounds		Magelang Regency, Central Java  Indonesia 7°36′28″S 110°12′13″E / 7.60778°S 110.20361°E / -7.60778; 110.20361 (Borobudur Temple Compounds)	Cultural: (i), (ii), (vi)	—	1991	Buddhist monument dating from the 8th and 9th centuries, located in Central Java. The monument structure is a large stepped pyramid crowned with rows of stupas.	[16]
Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi		Hanoi,  Vietnam 21°2′22″N 105°50′14″E / 21.03944°N 105.83722°E / 21.03944; 105.83722 (Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi)	Cultural: (ii), (iii), (vi)	18 (44); buffer zone 108 (270)	2010		[17]
Citadel of the Hồ Dynasty		Tây Giai, Vĩnh Lộc District, Thanh Hóa Province,  Vietnam 20°4′41″N 105°36′17″E / 20.07806°N 105.60472°E / 20.07806; 105.60472 (Citadel of the Ho Dynasty)	Cultural: (ii), (iv)	156 (390); buffer zone 5,079 (12,550)	2011		[18]
Complex of Hué Monuments		Thừa Thiên–Huế Province,  Vietnam 16°28′10″N 107°34′40″E / 16.46944°N 107.57778°E / 16.46944; 107.57778 (Complex of Hué Monuments)	Cultural: (iii), (iv)	—	1993		[19]
Cultural Landscape of Bali Province: the Subak System as a Manifestation of the Tri Hita Karana Philosophy		Bali  Indonesia 8°20′0″S 115°0′0″E / 8.33333°S 115.00000°E / -8.33333; 115.00000 (Cultural Landscape of Bali Province)	Cultural: (iii), (v), (vi)	19,520 (48,200)	2012		[20]
Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex		Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi, Sa Kaeo and Buriram Provinces  Thailand 14°20′N 102°3′E / 14.333°N 102.050°E / 14.333; 102.050 (Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex)	Natural: (x)	615,500 (1,521,000)	2005		[21]
Gunung Mulu National Park		northern Sarawak, Borneo,  Malaysia 4°8′N 114°55′E / 4.133°N 114.917°E / 4.133; 114.917 (Gunung Mulu National Park)	Natural: (vii), (viii), (ix), (x)	52,864 (130,630)	2000		[22]
Hạ Long Bay		Quảng Ninh Province,  Vietnam 20°54′N 107°6′E / 20.900°N 107.100°E / 20.900; 107.100 (Ha Long Bay)	Natural: (vii), (viii)	150,000 (370,000)	1994[nb 1]		[23]
Historic City of Ayutthaya		Ayutthaya Province,  Thailand 14°20′52″N 100°33′38″E / 14.34778°N 100.56056°E / 14.34778; 100.56056 (Historic City of Ayutthaya)	Cultural: (iii)	289 (710)	1991		[24]
Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns		Sukhothai and Kamphaeng Phet Provinces,  Thailand 17°0′26″N 99°47′23″E / 17.00722°N 99.78972°E / 17.00722; 99.78972 (Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns)	Cultural: (i), (iii)	11,852 (29,290)	1991		[25]
Historic Town of Vigan		Ilocos Sur,  Philippines 17°34′30″N 120°23′15″E / 17.57500°N 120.38750°E / 17.57500; 120.38750 (Historic Town of Vigan)	Cultural: (ii), (iv)	—	1999		[26]
Hội An Ancient Town		Hội An, Quảng Nam Province,  Vietnam 15°53′0″N 108°20′0″E / 15.88333°N 108.33333°E / 15.88333; 108.33333 (Hoi An Ancient Town)	Cultural: (ii), (v)	30 (74); buffer zone 280 (690)	1999		[27]
Kinabalu Park		Sabah, Borneo,  Malaysia 6°15′N 116°30′E / 6.250°N 116.500°E / 6.250; 116.500 (Kinabalu Park)	Natural: (ix), (x)	75,370 (186,200)	2000		[28]
Komodo National Park		East Nusa Tenggara  Indonesia 8°33′S 119°29′E / 8.550°S 119.483°E / -8.550; 119.483 (Komodo National Park)	Natural: (vii), (x)	219,322 (541,960)	1991		[29]
Lorentz National Park		Papua  Indonesia 4°45′S 137°50′E / 4.750°S 137.833°E / -4.750; 137.833 (Lorentz National Park)	Natural: (vii), (ix), (x)	2,350,000 (5,800,000)	1999		[30]
Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca		Malacca and Penang, Malay Peninsula,  Malaysia 5°25′17″N 100°20′45″E / 5.42139°N 100.34583°E / 5.42139; 100.34583 (Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca)	Cultural: (ii), (iii), (iv)	148 (370); buffer zone 284 (700)	2008		[31]
Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary		Davao Oriental,  Philippines 6°43′2″N 126°10′24″E / 6.71722°N 126.17333°E / 6.71722; 126.17333 (Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary)	Natural: (x)		2014		[32]
Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary		Duy Phú, Duy Xuyên District, Quảng Nam Province,  Vietnam 15°31′0″N 108°34′0″E / 15.51667°N 108.56667°E / 15.51667; 108.56667 (My Son Sanctuary)	Cultural: (ii), (iii)	142 (350); buffer zone 920 (2,300)	1999		[33]
Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto		West Sumatra  Indonesia 0°40′0″S 100°47′0″E / 0.66667°S 100.78333°E / -0.66667; 100.78333 (Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto)	Cultural: (ii),(iv)	—	2019	Sawahlunto is the oldest coal mining town in South East Asia. At the end of the 19th century, Dutch Indies had discovered and further exploited coal in Sawahlunto.	[34]
Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park		Bố Trạch and Minh Hóa districts, Quảng Bình Province,  Vietnam 17°32′14″N 106°9′5″E / 17.53722°N 106.15139°E / 17.53722; 106.15139 (Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park)	Natural: (viii)	123,326 (304,750)	2003		[35]
Plain of Jars		Xiangkhouang Province,  Laos 19°25′48″N 103°9′10.8″E / 19.43000°N 103.153000°E / 19.43000; 103.153000 (Plain of Jars)	Cultural: (iii)	174.56 (431.34)	2019	Located on a plateau in central Laos, gets its name from more than 2,100 tubular-shaped megalithic stone jars used for funerary practices in the Iron Age.	[36]
Prambanan Temple Compounds		Central Java and Special Region of Yogyakarta,  Indonesia 7°45′8″S 110°29′30″E / 7.75222°S 110.49167°E / -7.75222; 110.49167 (Prambanan Temple Compounds)	Cultural: (i), (iv)	—	1991		[37]
Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park		Palawan,  Philippines 10°10′0″N 118°55′0″E / 10.16667°N 118.91667°E / 10.16667; 118.91667 (Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park)	Natural: (vii), (x)	5,753 (14,220)	1999		[38]
Pyu Ancient Cities		Mandalay, Magway, Bago,  Myanmar 22°28′12″N 95°49′7″E / 22.47000°N 95.81861°E / 22.47000; 95.81861 (Pyu Ancient Cities)	Cultural: (ii), (iii), (iv)		2014		[39]
Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras		Ifugao, Cordillera Region,  Philippines 16°56′2″N 121°8′12″E / 16.93389°N 121.13667°E / 16.93389; 121.13667 (Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras)	Cultural: (iii), (iv), (v)	—	1995		[40][41]
Sangiran Early Man Site		Central Java  Indonesia 7°24′0″S 110°49′0″E / 7.40000°S 110.81667°E / -7.40000; 110.81667 (Sangiran Early Man Site)	Cultural: (iii), (vi)	5,600 (14,000)	1996		[42]
Singapore Botanic Gardens		Central Region,  Singapore 1°18′55″N 103°48′58″E / 1.31528°N 103.81611°E / 1.31528; 103.81611 (Singapore Botanic Gardens)	Cultural: (ii), (iv)	49 (120)	2015		[43]
Temple of Preah Vihear		Preah Vihear Province,  Cambodia 14°23′18″N 104°41′2″E / 14.38833°N 104.68389°E / 14.38833; 104.68389 (Temple of Preah Vihear)	Cultural: (i)	155 (380); buffer zone 2,643 (6,530)	2008		[44]
Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk, Archaeological Site of Ancient Ishanapura		Kompung Thom Province,  Cambodia 12°52′54″N 105°54′20″E / 12.88167°N 105.90556°E / 12.88167; 105.90556 (Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk, Archaeological Site of Ancient Ishanapura)	Cultural: (ii), (iii), (vi)	39,000 (96,000)	2017		[45]
Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries		Kanchanaburi, Tak and Uthai Thani Provinces  Thailand 15°20′N 98°55′E / 15.333°N 98.917°E / 15.333; 98.917 (Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries)	Natural: (vii), (ix), (x)	622,200 (1,537,000)	1991		[46]
Town of Luang Prabang		Luang Prabang Province,  Laos 19°53′20″N 102°8′0″E / 19.88889°N 102.13333°E / 19.88889; 102.13333 (Town of Luang Prabang)	Cultural: (ii), (iv), (v)	—	1995		[47]
Tràng An Landscape Complex		Ninh Binh Province,  Vietnam 20°15′24″N 105°53′47″E / 20.25667°N 105.89639°E / 20.25667; 105.89639 (Trang An - Ninh Binh)	Mixed: (v), (vii), (viii)		2014		[48]
Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra†		Sumatra,  Indonesia 2°30′S 101°30′E / 2.500°S 101.500°E / -2.500; 101.500 (Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra)	Natural: (vii), (ix), (x)	2,595,124 (6,412,690)	2004		[49][50]
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park		Cagayancillo, Palawan,  Philippines 8°57′12″N 119°52′3″E / 8.95333°N 119.86750°E / 8.95333; 119.86750 (Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park)	Natural: (vii), (ix), (x)	130,028 (321,310)	1993[nb 2]		[51][52]
Ujung Kulon National Park		Banten and Lampung,  Indonesia 6°45′S 105°20′E / 6.750°S 105.333°E / -6.750; 105.333 (Ujung Kulon National Park)	Natural: (vii), (x)	78,525 (194,040)	1991		[53]
Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape		Champasak Province,  Laos 14°50′54″N 105°49′20″E / 14.84833°N 105.82222°E / 14.84833; 105.82222 (Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape)	Cultural: (iii), (iv), (vi)	39,000 (96,000)	2001		[54]

Location of sites[]

Southeast Asia has the fewest UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Asia, next to Central and North Asia, despite being the base of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific headquarters located in Bangkok, Thailand and having a diverse line of natural and cultural heritage sites. Due to this, numerous scholars have been calling on Southeast Asian governments to participate and nominate more sites in UNESCO annually.

Various institutions have also criticized UNESCO for its 'Europe-centric' designations. An example of which was when UNESCO declared 10 UNESCO sites in Italy (a European country) in just a single year (1997). During the same time, 8 sites were declared for the entire Asian continent, where no designated site was located in Southeast Asia at all.^[55]

Green - Natural; Yellow - Cultural; Blue - Mixed; Red - In danger

Angkor

Borobudur

Ayutthaya

Sukhothai

Komodo

Prambanan

Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng

Ujung Kulon

Ban Chiang

Philippine Churches

Hué

Tubbataha Reefs

Hạ Long Bay

Cordillera Terraces

Luang Prabang

Sangiran

Vigan

Hội An

Lorentz NP

Mỹ Sơn

Puerto-Princesa

Gunung Mulu NP

Kinabalu

Vat Phou

Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng NP

Sumatra Rainforest

Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai

Melaka and Georgetown

Preah Vihear

Thăng Long Citadel

Hồ Citadel

Lenggong

Subak System

Mt Hamiguitan

Sambor Prei Kuk

Pyu Ancient Cities

Tràng An

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Bagan

Sawahlunto

Plain of Jars

Location of World Heritage Sites in Southeast Asia

Performance of Southeast Asia in UNESCO[]

The performance of Southeast Asia is contrasted by the performance of South and East Asia. Southeast Asian countries are in blue.

UNESCO Tentative List of Southeast Asia[]

Brunei, Singapore and Timor-Leste currently have no tentative list sites. Both Brunei and Timor-Leste are presently undergoing comprehensive research for tentative site submissions^{[citation needed]}. Malaysia, Viet Nam revised their tentative lists in 2017. Laos, Philippines and Myanmar revised their tentative lists in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Cambodia last revised its tentative list in 2020. Indonesia last revised their tentative lists in 2018. Thailand last revised their tentative lists in 2019. The following lists also include the current nomination process being focused on by each country.

• Cambodia: Currently in process of nominations on 27 March 2020
  • Beng Malea Temple (27/03/2020)
  • Ancient City of Oudong (27/03/2020)
  • Former M-13 prison/ Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (former S-21)/ Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre (former Execution Site of S-21) (27/03/2020)
  • Koh Ker: Archeological site of Ancient Lingapura Or Chok Gargyar (27/03/2020)
  • Phnom Kulen: Archeological Site/Ancient Site of Mahendraparvata (27/03/2020)
  • The ancient complex of Preah Khan Kompong Svay (27/03/2020)
  • The Archeological complex of Banteay Chhmar (27/03/2020)
  • The Site of Angkor Borei and Phnom Da (27/03/2020)
• Indonesia: Currently in process of nominating Kebun Raya and Yogyakarta since 2018.^[56]
  • Betung Kerihun National Park (Transborder Rainforest Heritage of Borneo) (2004)
  • Bunaken National Park (2005)
  • Raja Ampat Islands (2005)
  • Taka Bone Rate National Park (2005)
  • Wakatobi National Park (2005)
  • Derawan Islands (2005)
  • Tana Toraja Traditional Settlement (2009)
  • Bawomataluo Site (2009)
  • Muara Takus Compound Site (2009)
  • Muarajambi Temple Compound (2009)
  • Trowulan - Former Capital City of Majapahit Kingdom (2009)
  • Prehistoric Cave Sites in Maros-Pangkep (2009)
  • Sangkulirang - Mangkalihat Karts: Prehistoric rock art area (2015)
  • Old Town of Jakarta (Formerly old Batavia) and 4 outlying islands (Onrust, Kelor, Cipir dan Bidadari) (2015) (Nominated in 2018)^[57]
  • Semarang Old Town (2015)
  • Traditional Settlement at Nagari Sijunjung (2015)
  • The Historic and Marine Landscape of the Banda Islands (2015)
  • Historical City Centre of Yogyakarta (2017)
  • Kebun Raya Bogor (2018)
• Laos: Currently in process of nomination Vientiane in the world heritage list since 1992.
  • Pha That Luang (Vientiane) (1992)
  • Hin Nam No National Protected Area (2016)
• Malaysia: Currently in process of nominating Taman Negara to the world heritage list since 2014.
  • National Park (Taman Negara) of Peninsular Malaysia (2014)
  • FRIM Selangor Forest Park (2017)
  • Gombak Selangor Quartz Ridge (2017)
  • Royal Belum State Park (2017)
  • Sungai Buloh Leprosarium (2019)
• Myanmar: Currently in process of nominating Mrauk U and Shwedagon to the world heritage list since 1996.^[58]
  • Wooden Monasteries of Konbaung Period: Ohn Don, Sala, Pakhangyi, Pakhannge, Legaing, Sagu, Shwe-Kyaung (Mandalay) (1996)
  • Badah-lin caves (1996)
  • Ancient cities of Upper Myanmar: Innwa, Amarapura, Sagaing, Mingun, Mandalay (1996)
  • Myauk-U Archaeological Area and Monuments (1996)
  • Inle Lake (1996)
  • Mon cities: Bago, Hanthawaddy (1996)
  • Ayeyawady River Corridor (2014)
  • Hkakabo Razi Forest Complex (2014)
  • Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary (2014)
  • Natmataung National Park (2014)
  • Myeik Archipelago (2014)
  • Hukaung Valley Wildlife Sanctuary (2014)
  • Taninthayi Forest Corridor (2014)
• Philippines: Currently in process of nominating Mayon Volcano and Batanes in the world heritage list since 1993.^[59]
  • Batanes Protected landscapes and seascapes (1993)
  • The Tabon Cave Complex and all of Lipuun (2006)
  • Paleolithic Archaeological Sites in Cagayan Valley (2006)
  • Kabayan Mummy Burial Caves (2006)
  • Butuan Archeological Sites (2006)
  • Baroque Churches of the Philippines (Extension)(2006)
  • Petroglyphs and Petrographs of the Philippines (2006)
  • Neolithic Shell Midden Sites in Lal-lo and Gattaran Municipalities (2006)
  • Chocolate Hills Natural Monument (2006)
  • Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park (2006)
  • Mt. Pulag National Park (2006)
  • Apo Reef Natural Park (2006)
  • El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area (2006)
  • Coron Island Natural Biotic Area (2006)
  • Mt. Iglit-Baco National Park (2006)
  • Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park and outlying areas inclusive of the buffer zone (2006)
  • Mt. Mantalingahan Protected Landscape (2015)
  • Mayon Volcano Natural Park (MMVNP) (2015)
  • Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary (2015)
• Thailand: Currently in process of nomination Phuphrabat Historical Park and Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex.
  • (2004)
  • Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex (KKFC) (2011)
  • Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, Nakhon Si Thammarat (2012)
  • Monuments, Sites and Cultural Landscape of Chiang Mai, Capital of Lanna (2015)
  • Phra That Phanom, its related historic buildings and associated landscape (2017)
  • Ensemble of Phanom Rung, Muang Tam and Sanctuaries (2019)
  • The Ancient Town of (2019)
• Viet Nam: Currently in process of nominating Sapa in the world heritage list since 1997.
  • The Area of Old Carved Stone in Sapa (1997)
  • Huong Son Complex of Natural Beauty and Historical Monuments (1991)
  • Cat Tien National Park (2006)
  • Con Moong Cave (2006)
  • The Complex of Monuments and Landscape (2014)
  • Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago (2017)
  • Ba Be - Na Hang Natural Heritage Area (2017)

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Register of Southeast Asia[]

The Intangible Cultural Heritage of Southeast Asia is represented by Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Myanmar, Brunei, and East Timor have either not yet submitted an intangible heritage to UNESCO or they have yet to ratify and participate in the Intangible Cultural Registrar of UNESCO. Southeast Asia has two endangered intangible cultural heritage, Ca trung singing of Vietnam and Noken multifunctional knotted or woven bag, handcraft of the people of Papua of Indonesia. The latest inscription for Southeast Asia is Hawker Culture in 2020, which was submitted by Singapore.

Member state	Element[A]	Year Proclaimed[B]	Year Inscribed[C]	Description[D]	Reference
Cambodia	The Royal Ballet of Cambodia	2003	2008		[60]
	Sbek Thom, Khmer Shadow Theatre	2005	2008		[61]
	Chapei Dang Veng		2016		[62]
	Lkhon Khol Wat Svay Andet		2018		[63]
Indonesia	Wayang puppet theatre	2003	2008		[64]
	Indonesian Kris	2005	2008		[65]
	Indonesian Batik	2009	2009		[66]
	Education and training in Indonesian Batik intangible cultural heritage for elementary, junior, senior, vocational school and polytechnic students, in collaboration with the Batik Museum in Pekalongan		2009		[67]
	Indonesian Angklung	2010	2010		[68]
	Saman dance		2011		[69]
	Noken multifunctional knotted or woven bag, handcraft of the people of Papua		2012		[70]
	Three genres of traditional dance in Bali		2015		[71]
	Pinisi, the art of boatbuilding in South Sulawesi		2017		[72]
	Traditions of Pencak Silat		2019		[73]
Laos	Khaen music of the Lao people		2017		[74]
Malaysia	Mak Yong Theatre	2005	2008		[75]
	Dondang Sayang		2018		[76]
	Silat		2019		[77]
Philippines	The Hudhud Chants of the Ifugao	2001	2008		[78]
	The Darangen Epic of the Maranao People of Lake Lanao	2005	2008		[79]
	Buklog, thanksgiving ritual system of the Subanen		2019		[80]
Singapore	Hawker culture	2019	2020		[81]
Thailand	Khon, masked dance drama in Thailand		2018		[82]
	Nuad Thai, traditional Thai massage		2019		[83]
Vietnam	Nhã nhạc, Vietnamese Court Music	2003	2008		[84]
	Space of Gong Culture	2005	2008		[85]
	Quan Họ Bắc Ninh folk songs	2009	2009		[86]
	Ca Trù singing	2009	2009		[87]
	Gióng festival of Phù Ðổng and Sóc Temples	2010	2010		[88]
	Worship of Hùng Kings in Phú Thọ	2012	2012		[89]
	Art of Đờn ca tài tử music and song in southern Việt Nam	2013	2013		[90]
	Ví and Giặm folk songs of Nghệ Tĩnh	2014	2014		[91]
	Practices related to the Viet beliefs in the Mother Goddesses of Three Realms		2016		[92]
	Xoan singing of Phú Thọ province, Viet Nam	2011	2017		[93]
	The art of Bài Chòi in Central Viet Nam		2017		[94]
	Practices of Then by Tày, Nùng and Thái ethnic groups in Viet Nam		2019		[95]
Cambodia  Philippines  South Korea  Vietnam	and games	2015	2015		[96]
China  Malaysia	Ong Chun/Wangchuan/Wangkang ceremony, rituals and related practices for maintaining the sustainable connection between man and the ocean	2020			[97]
Indonesia  Malaysia	Pantun	2020			[97]

Southeast Asia Memories of the World Register[]

UNESCO's Memory of the World Programme is an international initiative launched to safeguard the documentary heritage of humanity against collective amnesia, neglect, the ravages of time and climatic conditions, and willful and deliberate destruction.[1] It calls for the preservation of valuable archival holdings, library collections and private individual compendia all over the world for posterity, the reconstitution of dispersed or displaced documentary heritage, and the increased accessibility to and dissemination of these items.

Southeast Asia's entry to the Memories of the World Register was through the submission of the Philippine Paleographs (Hanunoo, Build, Tagbanua and ) by the National Museum of the Philippines in 1999, where it was inscribed on the same year as well. Following this landmark for the region, Malaysia followed with an immediate three submissions in 2001, all of which were inscribed the same year. Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia followed in 2003. After these landmark submissions and inscriptions, Southeast Asia's contribution to the Memories of the World Register has expanded into 24, 1 from Cambodia, 5 from Indonesia (1 of which is a multinational inscription), 4 from Malaysia, 3 from Myanmar (1 of which is a multinational site), 4 from the Philippines, 4 from Thailand, 1 from Timor-Leste, and 2 from Vietnam. Singapore, Laos, and Brunei have yet to inscript a submission in the Register.

Member state	Memory	Submission	Inscription	Submitted By	Detail	Reference
Cambodia	Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Archives	2008	2009			[98]
Indonesia	Borobudur Conservation Archives	2016	2017			[99]
	Asian-African Conference Archives	2014	2015			[100]
	Nāgarakrĕtāgama or Description of the Country (1365 AD)	2012	2013			[101]
	La Galigo	2010	2011			[102]
Multinational:  Indonesia  Sri Lanka	The Indian Ocean Tsunami Archives	2016	2017			[103]
Multinational:  Indonesia  Netherlands	Babad Diponegoro or Autobiographical Chronicle of Prince Diponegoro (1785–1855). A Javanese nobleman, Indonesian national hero and pan-Islamist	2012	2013			[104]
Multinational:  Indonesia  Netherlands  India  South Africa  Sri Lanka	Archives of the Dutch East India Company	2003	2003			[105]
Multinational:  Indonesia,  Cambodia,  Netherlands,  Malaysia,  United Kingdom	Panji Tales Manuscripts	2016	2017			[106]
Malaysia	Batu Bersurat Terengganu (Inscribed Stone of Terengganu)	2008	2009			[107]
	Correspondence of the late Sultan of Kedah (1882–1943)	2001	2001			[108]
	Hikayat Hang Tuah	2001	2001			[109]
	Sejarah Melayu (The Malay Annals)	2001	2001			[110]
Multinational:  Germany  United Kingdom  Myanmar	The Golden Letter of the Burmese King Alaungphaya to King George II of Great Britain	2014	2015			[111]
Myanmar	Myazedi Quadrilingual Stone Inscription	2014	2015			[112]
	Maha Lawkamarazein or Kuthodaw Inscription Shrines	2012	2013			[113]
	King Bayinnaung Bell Inscription	2016	2017			[114]
Philippines	Presidential Papers of Manuel L. Quezon	2010	2011	The Manuel L. Quezon Papers, University of Michigan Library		[115]
	José Maceda Collection	2007	2007	U.P. Center for Ethnomusicology, Quezon City		[116]
	Radio Broadcast of the Philippine People Power Revolution	2003	2003		[117]
	Philippine Paleographs (Hanunoo, Build, Tagbanua and )	1999	1999	National Museum, Manila		[118]
Thailand	The Royal Photographic Glass Plate Negatives and Original Prints Collections	2017	2016			[119]
	"The Minute Books of the Council of the Siam Society", 100 years of recording international cooperation in research and the dissemination of knowledge in the arts and sciences	2012	2013			[120]
	Epigraphic Archives of Wat Pho	2010	2011			[121]
	Archival Documents of King Chulalongkorn's Transformation of Siam (1868–1910)	2008	2009			[122]
	The King Ram Khamhaeng Inscription	2003	2003			[123]
Timor-Leste	On the Birth of a Nation: Turning points	2012	2013			[124]
Vietnam	Imperial Archives of Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945)	2016	2017			[125]
	Stone Stele Records of Royal Examinations of the Le and Mac Dynasties (1442–1779)	2010	2011			[126]
	Woodblocks of Nguyen Dynasty	2008	2009			[127]

UNESCO Biosphere Reserves of Southeast Asia[]

Launched in 1971, UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) is an Intergovernmental Scientific Programme that aims to establish a scientific basis for the improvement of relationships between people and their environments.

MAB combines the natural and social sciences, economics and education to improve human livelihoods and the equitable sharing of benefits, and to safeguard natural and managed ecosystems, thus promoting innovative approaches to economic development that are socially and culturally appropriate, and environmentally sustainable.

Its World Network of Biosphere Reserves currently counts more than 650 biosphere reserves in at least 120 countries all over the world. Southeast Asia is currently represented by 29 Biosphere Reserves; 1 from Cambodia, 10 from Indonesia, 2 from Malaysia, 1 from Myanmar, 2 from the Philippines, 4 from Thailand, and 9 from Vietnam. Brunei, Laos, Timor-Leste, and Singapore currently has no inscribed biosphere reserves in the list.^[128]

Country	Biosphere Reserve	Representative Image	Designation Year (Periodic Reviews)	Description	References
Cambodia	Tonle Sap		1997 (2012)		[129]
Indonesia	Cibodas		1977 (2011)		[130]
	Komodo		1977 (1999, 2013)		[131]
	Lore Lindu		1977 (1999, 2013)		[132]
	Tanjung Puting		1977 (1998, 2013)		[133]
	Gunung Leuser		1981 (1998, 2013)		[134]
	Siberut		1981 (1998, 2013)		[135]
	Giam Siak Kecil-Bukit Batu		2009		[136]
	Wakatobi		2012		[137]
	Bromo Tengger Semeru-Arjuno		2015		[138]
	Taka Bonerate-Kepulauan Selayar		2015		[139]
	Belambangan		2016		[140]
	Berbak-Sembilang		2018		[141]
	Batang Kerihun-Danau Sentarum Kapuas Hulu		2018		[142]
	Rinjani-Lombok		2018		[143]
Malaysia	Tasik Chini		2009		[144]
	Crocker Range		2014		[145]
Myanmar	Inlay Lake		2015		[146]
Philippines	Puerto Galera		1997 (2014)		[147]
	Palawan		1990 (2012)		[148]
	Albay		2016		[149]
Thailand	Sakaerat		1976 (1999)		[150]
	Hauy Tak Teak		1997 (1999, 2014)		[151]
	Mae Sa-Kog Ma		1997 (1999)		[152]
	Ranong		1997 (2011, 2014)		[153]
Vietnam	Can Gio Mangrove		2001		[154]
	Dong Nai		2001 (2012) - Extended in 2011 and renamed from Cat Tien		[155]
	Cat Ba		2004		[156]
	Red River Delta		2004		[157]
	Kien Giang		2006		[158]
	Western Nghe An		2007		[159]
	Mui Ca Mau		2009		[160]
	Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An		2009		[161]
	Langbiang		2015		[162]

UNESCO Executive Board[]

Currently, 4 Southeast Asian countries are serving as members of the UNESCO Executive Board. Vietnam and Malaysia's terms shall expire in 2019, while the Philippines and Indonesia's terms shall expire in 2021. The Philippines has expressed a possible UNESCO Director-General bid in 2021 or 2025. The country has cited its possible candidate to be Senator Loren Legarda, a United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change National Adaptation Plan Champion, United Nations Global Champion for Resilience, Dangal ng Haraya Patron of Arts and Culture, Chevalier/Cavaliere to France and Italy, and an Honorary Royalty to the Indigenous Peoples of Mindanao, Panay, and the Cordilleras. She has also been cited by the United States as one of the most powerful woman in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. She initiated the formation of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, which encompasses initially 20 countries worldwide. The 10-nation ASEAN bloc, Timor-Leste, and Papua New Guinea support the possible candidature of the Philippines. The United States, Russia, Japan, China, and the Latin American bloc have expressed similar support as well.^[7][8]

See also[]

• List of World Heritage Sites in Indonesia
• List of World Heritage Sites in Thailand
• List of World Heritage Sites in the Philippines
• List of World Heritage Sites in Malaysia
• List of World Heritage Sites in Cambodia
• List of World Heritage Sites in Vietnam

Notes[]

References[]

General sources[]

• "World Heritage Committee: Sixteenth session" (PDF). UNESCO. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
• "World Heritage Committee: Twenty-eighth session" (PDF). UNESCO. Retrieved 26 June 2011.
• "List of World Heritage Sites in Southeast Asia with large pictures". Retrieved 6 March 2015.