Unlocking tourism value from global geoparks

Vietnam currently has 4 UNESCO-recognized Global Geoparks (GGPs), each a “living museum” of geology, culture and community life. Developing tourism in these areas not only helps spread the value of heritage but also opens up new directions for the local green and sustainable economy.

Dong Van Stone Plateau. Photo: Nguyen Quy.

From geological heritage to tourism development driver

4 Geoparks recognized by UNESCO include: Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark; Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark, Dak Nong Geopark and Lang Son Geopark. Each park is considered a living geological museum, with its own unique and characteristic values ​​in terms of geology, geomorphology, stratigraphy, paleontology, minerals, tectonic structures, biodiversity,... and cultural - historical and community cultural resource values. UNESCO's recognition is both a source of pride and our commitment to heritage conservation associated with sustainable tourism development.

According to statistics in 2024, Cao Bang welcomed 1,834,730 visitors (49,097 international visitors), with total revenue of 1,466 billion VND; Lang Son, total visitors reached 4.2 million, mainly domestic; total revenue was about half of Dong Van. Dak Nong is in the initial stage, welcoming 699,000 visitors, including 6,200 international visitors, with revenue reaching 195 billion VND...

Dr. Hoang Thi Binh - Deputy Director of the Vietnam Institute of Culture, Arts, Sports and Tourism said that the honored Geoparks have great advantages in socio-economic development, culture - education, sustainable development, heritage conservation and tourism development, increasing prestige to promote and attract domestic and international tourists. In fact, localities have done a good job of preserving and effectively exploiting the values ​​of Geopark resources to develop tourism. Many resources have been exploited and developed into famous tourist areas and destinations.

Sharing the same view, Mr. Hoang Hoa Quan - Deputy Head of the Tourism Department, Vietnam National Administration of Tourism said that UNESCO's recognition of the Global Geoparks in Vietnam marks an important step forward in the strategy of sustainable tourism development associated with the conservation of natural and cultural resources. These geoparks not only have unique scientific and geological values, but also contain profound cultural, historical and humanistic values. Along with conservation, the management and exploitation of tourism in the Global Geoparks become a decisive factor in developing the local economy, improving people's livelihoods, and maintaining the sustainability of resources.

Putting community at the center

Although tourism exploitation at the geoparks in our country has achieved certain results in recent times, reality has revealed many shortcomings and uneven development. From preserving and promoting the value of resources; developing specific products; expanding and positioning the market; perfecting infrastructure and technical facilities; connecting routes - points - regions; public-private partnership mechanisms; promoting the role of the community; to developing human resources.

The current state of tourism development is showing a waste of resources when the most specific products are not invested in, the general product system is still poor, and the market is positioned in the low, short-term, low-spending segment. This creates a “vicious cycle” of unsustainable development: low investment leads to weak products, weak products only attract low-value markets, and low-value markets do not generate enough revenue to reinvest.

Therefore, Dr. Nguyen Xuan Hai proposed: To break this vicious cycle and develop sustainably, localities need to implement a dual strategy. First, restructure products in the direction of focusing investment resources on unique, high-class products, exploiting their unique core values. Along with that, reposition the market, proactively shifting from low-cost mass markets to niche market segments and international markets with high spending capacity. Developing unique souvenir products, rich in geology, culture and local stories, is also an urgent requirement to complete the tourism value chain, increase revenue and contribute to heritage conservation.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Nguyen Hong - former Head of the Faculty of Hotel and Tourism of the University of Commerce, said that tourism development in UNESCO Global Geoparks in Vietnam is only truly sustainable when the people become the creators, co-managers and co-beneficiaries. Empowerment, capacity building and creating a real participation mechanism are the keys to making tourism not only an economic development tool, but also a driving force to help local communities rise up with their own cultural identity and knowledge.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/khai-mo-gia-tri-du-lich-tu-cac-cong-vien-dia-chat-toan-cau-20251028141140908.htm