Ceremony to receive the UNESCO Global Geopark title for Lang Son

(PLVN) - As part of the UNESCO Director-General's visit to Vietnam, on the afternoon of June 28, 2025, in Lang Son City, the People's Committee of Lang Son province, in coordination with the Vietnam National UNESCO Committee, will organize a ceremony to receive the UNESCO Global Geopark title for Lang Son.

The ceremony to receive the title is expected to be attended by the Director-General of UNESCO; the Head of UNESCO's Representative Office in Vietnam; representatives from several ministries and central agencies; the Vietnam National UNESCO Committee and the Sub-committee on Geoparks; the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to UNESCO; the Department of Foreign Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy – Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Vietnam National Tourism Administration; the Institute of Science, Geology and Minerals; representatives from the People's Committees and Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the provinces of Ha Giang, Cao Bang, and Dak Nong; representatives from the Management Boards of the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, Non Nuoc Cao Bang, Dak Nong, and Phu Yen; and representatives from several tourism and travel businesses, cave clubs, etc.

Tourists explore Lang Son Global Geopark.

Within the framework of the ceremony to receive the UNESCO Global Geopark designation, several activities will take place: the annual meeting of the Sub-committee on Global Geoparks of Vietnam in 2025; a seminar on the construction and development of the UNESCO Global Geopark of Lang Son ; and witnessing the signing of cooperation agreements with several geopark partners.

Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark

With its exceptional international-level geological, cultural, and landscape values, Lang Son Geopark was recognized as a Global Geopark by the Geopark Council in September 2024 and officially recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark in April 2025, becoming the fourth Global Geopark in Vietnam, after Dong Van Karst Plateau, Cao Bang Non Nuoc, and Dak Nong Geopark.

This title marks a significant milestone, officially bringing Lang Son province into the UNESCO Global Geopark Network, which comprises 229 destinations in 50 countries worldwide. This is a great honor and a source of pride, reflecting the strong political determination and tireless efforts of the Party committees, government, and people of Lang Son province in their journey towards achieving this international recognition.

Spanning a vast area of ​​4,842.58 km2 and home to approximately 627,500 people (equivalent to about 58% of the province's area and 78% of its population), the UNESCO Global Geopark Lang Son is a gem in the northern mountainous region of Vietnam. It is a living testament, encapsulated in its diverse landscapes, to the 500 million-year evolution of life.

From ancient seas and volcanic lands to forests of ironwood trees, every aspect of the Geopark tells a unique story. The UNESCO Global Geopark Lang Son possesses unique geological heritage values ​​of international significance, with magnificent cave systems and unique sinkholes. Sites such as Nguom Mooc Cave, Tham Lum Sinkhole, and Ung Roac Sinkhole are clear evidence of this value, not only having scientific significance but also strongly attracting tourists, especially those with a passion for exploration and adventurous experiences.

A cave in Lang Son Global Geopark.

Furthermore, the UNESCO Global Geopark Lang Son boasts rich biodiversity, with diverse ecosystems and many rare plant and animal species, such as the Huu Lien Nature Reserve. This biodiversity opens up great potential for ecotourism and nature exploration tourism.

Moreover, Lang Son is a land rich in culture and history, with many unique historical and cultural relics, creating a harmonious blend of geological, biological, and cultural values. It is a vibrant tapestry of ethnic diversity, with unique customs and traditions contributed by each ethnic group.

The spiritual life of the Geopark is deeply rooted in the Mother Goddess religion, a UNESCO-recognized belief system. In addition, Then – an indispensable ritual practice in the spiritual life of the Tay and Nung people of Lang Son, as well as in the northeastern provinces of Vietnam and some other localities – reflects conceptions of humanity, the natural world, and the universe, and has also been inscribed on the UNESCO List of Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The harmonious blend of natural history, cultural diversity, and spiritual traditions makes the UNESCO Global Geopark Lang Son a unique destination for exploration and discovery. It is considered a beacon for sustainable development, a celebration of the resilience of nature and culture.

Since the establishment of the Geopark, the total number of tourists visiting Lang Son has increased annually, attracting more investors interested in seeking investment opportunities in the province. Currently, the UNESCO Global Geopark Lang Son has developed four tourist routes with 38 geopark attractions under the theme "The Flow of Life in the Sacred Land": Route 1: Exploring the Upper World; Route 2: Journey to the Heavenly Realm; Route 3: Simple Life on Earth; Route 4: The Road to the Aquarium.

The UNESCO Lang Son Global Geopark is expected to be a groundbreaking tourism product, attracting a large number of domestic and international tourists, contributing to the development of the province's tourism potential and strengths.

Lang Son will boost tourism development with the Lang Son Global Geopark.

In the coming period, Lang Son province will focus on implementing comprehensive solutions to preserve, enhance, and promote the value of the UNESCO Global Geopark Lang Son with a synchronized infrastructure and technical facilities system, rationally exploiting geological, landscape, and cultural values ​​to serve sustainable tourism development, building a brand development strategy "UNESCO Global Geopark Lang Son - Flow of Life in the Sacred Land" and the "Magnificent Journey" tour exploring the UNESCO Global Geopark Lang Son, making the UNESCO Global Geopark Lang Son an important driving force in the tourism and service development strategy, aiming to build tourism into a key economic sector of Lang Son province.

Minh Huu

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/le-don-nhan-danh-hieu-cong-vien-dia-chat-toan-cau-unesco-lang-son-post552964.html