Vietnam gains another UNESCO Global Geopark
Lạng Sơn Geopark, in northern Vietnam, has been evaluated by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council and voted in as a UNESCO Global Geopark.
On the afternoon of Sept. 8, during the 8th Asia Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium (UNESCO Global Geoparks Network) held in Cao Bằng province, northern Vietnam, the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council voted to recognize Lạng Sơn Geopark as a UNESCO Global Geopark.
A delegation from Lạng Sơn province attends the session of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council during the 8th Asia Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium. (Photo: Lạng Sơn Newspaper)
Established in 2021, Lạng Sơn Geopark spans the former districts of Bắc Sơn, Chi Lãng, Hữu Lũng, Lộc Bình and Văn Quan, along with the former Lạng Sơn city. It covers a total area of 4,842 km² and is home to nearly 627,000 people, equivalent to about 58% of the province's area and 78% of its population.
The park comprises 38 sites of interest along four tourist routes: route one, "Exploring the World of the Highlands"; route two, "Journey to the Heavenly Realm"; route three, "Rustic Life in the Earthly World"; and route four, "The Road to the Underwater Palace".
Lạng Sơn Geopark was scheduled to receive its UNESCO Global Geopark certificate in 2025 in Chile.
Some of the fossils found by experts within Lạng Sơn Geopark. (Photo: Lạng Sơn Newspaper).
Lưu Bá Mạc, deputy director of the Lạng Sơn Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the recognition will give the province additional motivation and an opportunity to concentrate resources on managing, conserving and promoting its geological heritage, cultural, historical and archaeological heritage, biodiversity and distinctive scenic landscapes.
Earlier, based on many years of research, surveys and fieldwork, Vietnamese and international scientists had confirmed that Lạng Sơn province possesses values of global significance sufficient to establish and develop a geopark with the aim of becoming a global geopark.
On Nov. 30, 2023, the Lạng Sơn Provincial People's Committee, working with the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO (under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), finalized the nomination dossier for Lạng Sơn Geopark to become a UNESCO Global Geopark and then submitted it to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
With this recognition, Lạng Sơn Geopark becomes Vietnam's fourth UNESCO Global Geopark, after the Đồng Văn Karst Plateau Global Geopark in the former Hà Giang province (now part of Tuyên Quang), the Non nước Cao Bằng Global Geopark and the Đắk Nông Global Geopark (in the former Đắk Nông province, now part of Lâm Đồng).
