Feasibility study announced for Khammuan’s Khoun Kong Leng Lake development

Hinboun district administration office in Khammuan province on Wednesday announced the temporary closure of tourism services at Khoun Kong Leng Lake with the conducting of a feasibility study to develop the site.
Khoun Kong Leng Lake of Khammuan province is located approximately 50 km north of Thakhaek district in the Phu Hin Pun foothills.
The lake is one of 10 natural tourism sites in Hinboun district that the province has authorised local company Intra Crop to conduct a feasibility study on to develop into the Green World project.
The nine other natural tourism sites are Khounkhae, Vangnamtok Thamluang, Khoun Nam Pakan, Tart Khone Keo waterfall, Phou Khoy Sou, Phou Pha Dang, Sai Nam Khoun Kong Leng, Sai Nam Yen and Sai Nam Pakan.
Deputy Director of the provincial Information, Culture and Tourism Department, Mr Bounthavy Sisombath told Vientiane Times that the province has agreed for the local company to conduct the feasibility study over 18 months.
A tourism official under the department, Mr Manothong Phongsavanh said that a Memorandum of Understanding for the feasibility study to develop Khoun Kong Leng Lake, Khounkhae, Khoun Nam Pakan and Tart Khone Keo waterfall was signed on March 27, between the provincial Planning and Investment Department and the company.
“Currently, the company is conducting a feasibility study at Khoun Kong Leng Lake with the clearing of land and trees around the lake”, he added.
Mr Manothong explained that 27 tourism activities would take place at the 10 natural tourism sites for the Green World project including kayaking, swimming, restaurants, resorts, zip-lining, a glass bridge, trekking and cycling through the forest, rock climbing and others.
The company plans to conduct a feasibility study on all of the 31,739 hectares covering the 10 tourism sites. The first phase is covering 6,739 ha while the second is for 25,000 ha. 
Khammuan is located in the centre of the country. Travel by private vehicle to the province’s capital Thakhaek is about 4-5 hours from Vientiane.
The popular tourism sites include Khoun Kong Leng Lake, the Tha Falang site, and Tham Khonglor Cave.
Tha Falang is 10 km from urban Thakhaek district, located on the Nam Don River in Thakhaek district, while Tham Khonglor Cave which means “Beauty in the Dark” is part of the National Protected Forest Area of Hinboun Mountain.

ByViengdavanh Banphahaksa
(Latest Update April 1, 2019)