Awakening the potential of green economy

Possessing majestic natural landscapes and unique cultural imprints, Cao Bang is like a "green gem" hidden in the mountains and forests of the Northeast. Under the leadership of the Cao Bang Provincial Party Committee and Government in the 2020-2025 term, the potential for green economic development is being awakened thanks to new routes and sustainable economic exploitation methods.

Ban Gioc Waterfall is listed in the list of 21 most beautiful waterfalls in the world in 2024 voted by the prestigious American travel magazine Travel + Leisure.

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Linking green development with climate change response

Despite economic difficulties due to its remote geographical location, Cao Bang has one of the most pristine ecosystems in Vietnam . The province has chosen to develop organic agriculture, forestry and sustainable tourism as economic pillars, to avoid overexploitation of natural resources. The tourism industry has become a "bright spot" with a strong recovery after the pandemic. In the first 7 months of 2024, Cao Bang welcomed more than 1 million visitors, including 15,000 international visitors. In particular, Ban Gioc Waterfall is recognized as one of the 21 most beautiful waterfalls in the world.

Cao Bang Province is promoting green tourism, combining local culture and heritage. Ethnic minorities, living in areas rich in cultural and geological heritage, play an important role in conservation. Cao Bang focuses on “raising the bottom”, supporting ethnic minority communities to develop tourism, creating sustainable livelihoods, according to recommendations of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Developing a green economy combined with combating climate change is the province’s long-term strategy, with the motto “slow but sure”, creating solid steps for the future.

Khuoi Ky stone village (Trung Khanh) is the village chosen to build community tourism towards developing green tourism.

In the context of Typhoon Yagi making landfall in the north, Cao Bang Provincial Party Secretary Tran Hong Minh met with Ms. Lidia Brito, Assistant Director General of UNESCO for Natural Sciences. Ms. Brito affirmed that Cao Bang's mountains and rivers are considered a "precious gem" of nature, which cannot be valued economically. The recent devastation caused by Typhoon Yagi is a warning about people's responsibility to protect the environment and adapt to climate change.

Secretary Tran Hong Minh said that Cao Bang has been heavily affected by climate change with increased hail, flash floods and landslides. The province has focused on sustainable economic development, forest protection and increasing people's income. Key tasks include developing agriculture and forestry along the value chain, starting businesses, investing in ethnic minority areas, conserving biodiversity and complying with UNESCO's recommendations on the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark heritage.

Recently, the 8th International Conference of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network (GGN) Asia-Pacific Region in 2024 in Cao Bang (APGN-8) also marked the 20th anniversary of the mission of preserving the “Memory of the Earth”, promoting the relationship between humanity and nature. Facing new challenges on global issues, the Vietnam UNESCO Commission and GGN have built the “Cao Bang Declaration” with many progressive and oriented contents, recommending that geoparks step up to a new level of sustainable development.

Accordingly, the UNESCO Cao Bang Declaration with 8 recommendations for GGN members to implement has affirmed the important role of geoparks in promoting sustainable development and maintaining a harmonious relationship between humanity and nature. It is recommended that all stakeholders, local and regional authorities are represented in the management process of UNESCO global geoparks; in which, it emphasizes the need to preserve and promote ethnic minority cultures and indigenous knowledge in geopark areas. It is recommended to "take people as the center", especially ethnic minorities, to participate in the conservation and promotion of geopark areas, etc.

Quay Son River in Trung Khanh district, Cao Bang province is endowed by nature with wild and majestic beauty, and is a destination not to be missed by tourists when coming to Cao Bang.

“The APGN - 8 Conference marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of GGN as a “youth journey” with a typical model of sustainable socio-economic development to preserve the “Memory of the Earth”. I hope that GGN member countries will enhance education on geopark knowledge for the young generation to promote a new level of sustainable development, proactively solving and responding to urgent global issues”, emphasized Ms. Lidia Brito, Assistant Director-General of UNESCO.

The representative of the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark Management Board said: The Management Board has coordinated with the Department of Education and Training to organize many rich activities on geopark education for students, helping them become "ambassadors" of "Earth's memory", enhancing their responsibility to protect the heritage of the geopark, the natural environment, finding a career path towards a green, sustainable economy, fighting climate change, spreading the value of the geopark heritage in society.

Green math, sustainable development

Cao Bang province's planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, focuses on developing agriculture, forestry and fisheries in a modern and sustainable direction, associated with restructuring the rural labor force, protecting the environment and adapting to climate change. Despite investment in the period 2020-2025, this sector has not yet developed synchronously, growing at only 3%/year with an income of 46 million VND/ha. However, agriculture and forestry still help protect Cao Bang's natural landscape.

Cao Bang currently has 144 high-quality OCOP products, creating stable livelihoods for people and expanding tourism potential.

Provincial Party Secretary Tran Hong Minh affirmed that the province always prioritizes the protection of natural resources. With an area of over 6,700 km², of which 90% is mountains and forests, the province has preserved its natural landscape and increased forest cover to 55-60%. This helps reduce damage from natural disasters, improve the living environment, and support the development of organic agriculture. Cao Bang currently has 144 high-quality OCOP products, creating stable livelihoods for people and expanding tourism potential.

“We believe that combining development and protection will create a green, sustainable Cao Bang,” said Mr. Tran Hong Minh.

According to experts, the reason why Cao Bang still has many natural forests and biodiversity (not protected) is because the people consider "sacred forests to protect human life" so no one is allowed to cut down forests. From the development orientation, Cao Bang Provincial Party Committee has directed the planning of agricultural and forestry production areas associated with the strengths of endemic crops and livestock in each region.

In addition, the province has implemented 59 plans to support value chain-linked production, along with 773 community production development projects with 41,650 households participating, creating 144 high-quality OCOP products. For forestry, the province has identified three key tasks: developing the carbon credit market; developing biomass electricity; promoting the processing industry of agricultural, forestry, medicinal, wood and other products.

Cao Bang province has implemented 59 plans to support value chain-linked production, along with 773 community production development projects with 41,650 participating households, creating 144 high-quality OCOP products.

Regional planning in agricultural and forestry development has created a “push” for businesses and farmers to boldly develop a green economy. Mr. Hoang Manh Ngoc, Chairman of the Cao Bang Provincial Business Association, said: The Phja Den mountainous area has a temperate climate suitable for forming a closed economic model that does not emit waste into the environment, becoming a destination for tourists to experience community tourism and agricultural tourism.

Thus, the necessary conditions for the development of the green economy in Cao Bang are already there. But the sufficient condition must be a route to help tourism and agricultural and forestry products "take off" to large markets. Speaking at the launching ceremony of the emulation movement for 525 days and nights to open the Dong Dang - Tra Linh expressway project to celebrate the 525th anniversary of the founding of Cao Bang province, Provincial Party Secretary Tran Hong Minh expressed his hope that with favorable trade connections, Cao Bang's agricultural products and goods will have the opportunity to access larger markets, not only domestically but also for export abroad.

“Special products such as Trung Khanh chestnuts, Thach An black jelly, Phja Den vermicelli, etc. will be brought to market more quickly and effectively, helping to improve the lives of farmers and develop the local economy,” Secretary Tran Hong Minh affirmed.

Competition for 525 days and nights to open the Dong Dang-Tra Linh expressway project.

By harmoniously combining conservation and development, Cao Bang has been affirming its position as an ideal destination for domestic and foreign tourists. The Dong Dang-Tra Linh Expressway plays a key role in improving the province's transportation capacity, and is believed that when completed, it will become the "wings" that help Cao Bang fulfill its aspirations to reach far, as the song says:

The new road is here.

From Dong Dang to Tra Linh

Tunnel through the mountain

Tears choked in laughter

Give children a dream sky

Give the old man sparkling eyes,...

Minh Tuan - Minh Trang

Source: https://nhandan.vn/danh-thuc-tiem-nang-kinh-te-xanh-post847030.html?gidzl=yAUnRwpoGtp-lx9fgUv4VFgyicgmlKejjxliFhQyJYJaxBnajhzF8hVejpFYxK0bvRsoDMHaOy0YflP2UW