The natural resources of the Nam Ngum Watershed are significant as sources of:

• One quarter of the country's foreign exchange income through hydro-electricity, and most of the country's own grid-linked electricity;
• Livelihood to farmers from numerous ethnic groups including Thai Phuan, Hmong, Khamu in more than 200 villages of 3 provinces;
• Forest products for subsistence uses and in commercial enterprises: domestic and for export; and,
• A large proportion of fish entering the Vientiane markets.