The flow of life in the sacred land

UNESCO Global Geopark Network expert team appraises Site 35: Na Duong Lake World (Loc Binh district)

Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark includes the entire administrative boundaries of Bac Son, Chi Lang, Huu Lung, Van Quan, Loc Binh districts and Lang Son city, along with part of Binh Gia and Cao Loc districts, with a total area of 4,842.58 km2 and a population of about 627,500 people, accounting for about 58% of the area and 78% of the population of the whole province.

Unique features

Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Tan Van, former Director of the Institute of Geological Sciences and Mineral Resources, said: The special feature of Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark is the distinct Karst fields, which are completely different from the old Karst towers and peaks located in Cao Bang or Ha Giang before. In particular, Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark has the largest number of geological heritages (over 180 heritages) compared to other UNESCO Global Geoparks recognized in Vietnam.

In addition, Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark also has many archaeological sites with potential international value such as: marine sedimentary rocks from 250 million years ago with fossils (fish, eels, vertebrates) which are the basis of many international scientific publications; Na Duong Basin, Loc Binh District (a unique location corresponding to the lake water environment 30-20 million years ago, giant fauna (crocodiles, turtles, monitor lizards), which is described in many international publications)... In addition, the long-standing intangible cultural heritage resources of 7 main ethnic groups: Nung, Tay, Kinh, Dao, Hoa, San Chay, H'Mong. Notably, the worship of the Mother Goddess of the Three Realms and the practice of Then have been recognized by UNESCO as representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity. In addition, along with more than 200 traditional festivals, including the Ky Cung - Ta Phu Temple Festival and the Na Nhem Festival, are recognized as national intangible cultural heritages.

Ms. Pham Thi Huong, Deputy Head of Lang Son Geopark Management Department, Provincial Center for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion (XTĐT, TM&DL) said: Geopark is an open economic model, both preserving and promoting heritage values, raising awareness, helping the community to be more proud of their living environment. With unique values in terms of history, culture, intangible cultural heritage in the region, Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark has all the conditions to develop, becoming tourism products that create connections between regions.

In recent years, all levels and sectors in the province have implemented solutions to build the Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark in accordance with the province's socio-economic development plan. Accordingly, infrastructure and technical facilities for tourism services have initially received investment attention; tourism products have been increasingly diversified with 4 tourist routes, 38 tourist attractions, and the quality and value of tourism services have been increasingly improved.

A working delegation from Hanoi University of Mining and Geology conducted a field survey to assess the potential for building a practice route for students majoring in geological tourism at the Lang Son Geopark Information Center (Bac Son district).

Currently, Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark has been moving towards building a multi-layered tourism ecosystem: from experiential tourism, resort tourism, to specialized products such as geological exploration tourism, health care tourism, high mountain resorts... Regional tourism routes will also be promoted, especially connecting with Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, localities that share the global Geopark, creating a unique "geological heritage corridor" in the North.

Mr. Pham Van Manh, Director of Vietnam Expeditions Joint Stock Company, said: Lang Son owns a system of majestic and diverse caves with stalactites, waterfalls, sinkholes and rivers flowing in the caves, creating a wonderful scene that is not inferior to the caves in Quang Binh. We have spent about 2 years surveying the Lang Son Geopark and realized that this place has a lot of potential for developing geological tourism in the caves.

In addition, relevant levels, sectors and units also pay special attention to training local tour guides and collaborators, encouraging young people to participate in heritage conservation, and applying digital transformation in tourism promotion.

In parallel, activities to promote and promote tourism in the UNESCO Lang Son Global Geopark area have also been focused on. Specifically, the Center for Promotion, Trade and Tourism has proactively promoted the image of the Geopark through international forums and fairs, developed digital technology applications, smart tourism maps, 3D models of antiquities, signboard systems and symbols specific to each heritage site. In particular, the Center for Promotion, Trade and Tourism has strengthened international integration and cooperation, participated in activities of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network, the Asia-Pacific Regional Geopark Network, the Vietnam Global Geopark Network, etc. Thereby, gradually spreading geological values to a large number of domestic and international tourists.

Open new page

To continue to effectively promote the value of Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark, the Provincial Party Standing Committee issued Resolution No. 223-NQ/TU dated May 30, 2025 on preserving, embellishing and promoting the value of Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark for the period 2025 - 2030, with a vision to 2035. The Resolution sets out the vision and strategic goals for the period 2025-2030, with a vision to 2035.

According to the plan, on June 28, 2025, the province will organize a ceremony to receive the Certificate of recognition of the title of UNESCO Global Geopark Lang Son with many important activities. Specifically, there will be meetings between leaders of the Government, ministries, central branches, the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, leaders of the Provincial People's Committee with the UNESCO High-level Delegation; a discussion on the construction and development of the UNESCO Global Geopark Lang Son, signing cooperation agreements with a number of Geopark partners; an annual conference of the Vietnam Global Geopark Technical Subcommittee in 2025; organizing an exhibition space on the UNESCO Global Geopark Lang Son. Currently, the Center for Investment Promotion, Trade and Tourism has actively coordinated with relevant agencies and units to prepare conditions for the reception ceremony.

Mr. Hoang Xuan Thuan, Director of the Provincial Center for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion, said: We are advising the Provincial People's Committee to issue a Plan to implement Resolution No. 223 of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee. In which, we focus on promoting the role of Party committees, authorities, the Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations, along with the coordination between all levels and sectors to raise awareness and responsibility of the whole society, especially the young generation, in preserving and promoting the value of the Geopark; promote linkages in developing the UNESCO Lang Son Global Geopark, actively contributing to the development of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network...

Accordingly, Lang Son aims for an open development model, meeting the requirements of preserving the province's cultural and natural heritage. The geopark will be a center for scientific research and international cooperation, contributing to environmental protection and promoting socio-economic development. The province will build and operate a complex center and information centers; develop human resources and raise public awareness; regularly organize training and fostering to improve the quality of human resources serving geopark and tourism management. Strive for 100% of cadres, civil servants, public employees and 80% of people to be informed about the value of the geopark, while ensuring that 80% of schools include this content in their curriculum.

The recognition of Lang Son Geopark as a UNESCO Global Geopark is a great source of pride, affirming the potential and position of the province. This is an opportunity for Lang Son to continue to develop rapidly and sustainably, improve the material and spiritual life of the people, and at the same time become an attractive and responsible destination in the Global Geopark Network.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/nang-tam-vi-the-cong-vien-dia-chat-toan-cau-unesco-lang-son-5051079.html