The Tam Chuc - Van Long complex has the opportunity to become a World Heritage Site.

The process of establishing boundaries, selecting criteria, and finalizing the scientific basis for the Tam Chuc - Van Long World Heritage nomination dossier is being accelerated by Ninh Binh province, with the participation of domestic and international experts...

Van Long Lagoon.

On January 14th, at the Tam Chuc Complex National Special Monument, the Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee organized an international scientific conference on establishing the proposed boundaries of the nomination area and determining criteria for outstanding universal value. This activity is linked to the orientation of building a dossier to be submitted to the United Nations Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the recognition of the Tam Chuc Complex and the Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve as World Heritage Sites.

In his opening remarks, Standing Vice Chairman of the Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee Tran Song Tung emphasized that Tam Chuc - Van Long is a special heritage space, where nature, landscape, culture, and spiritual elements converge harmoniously. This area is typical of tropical karst topography on the southern edge of the Red River Delta, with a system of limestone mountains, karst valleys, wetlands, and interconnected bodies of water, creating a unique landscape structure rich in scientific and aesthetic value.

Mr. Tran Song Tung, Standing Vice Chairman of the Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee, delivered the opening remarks at the workshop. Photo: Ninh Binh Newspaper

According to the leaders of the Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee, it is noteworthy that Tam Chuc - Van Long has preserved a high degree of integrity in its geological, geomorphological, ecological, and hydrological processes. This is an important foundation for the area to be considered for meeting the strict criteria for World Heritage status, in the context of many karst spaces around the world that have been fragmented or degraded due to human impact.

UNIQUE WET KARST SPACES WITH OUTSTANDING BIOLOGICAL VALUE

One of the outstanding global values ​​of the Tam Chuc - Van Long area highlighted at the workshop is its biodiversity, especially its role as a habitat for the white-buttocked langur. This is a primate species endemic to Vietnam, and is among the 25 most endangered primate species in the world.

Scientists believe that the population of white-buttocked langurs in Tam Chuc - Van Long is not only significant for species conservation but also serves as an important indicator reflecting the ecological integrity of the entire wetland karst system.

However, in the context of socio-economic development, this area is facing significant pressure from limestone mining, cement production, and infrastructure development in the surrounding areas. These impacts are shrinking and fragmenting the habitat, affecting the ecological corridor and the ability to maintain a stable population of white-faced langurs in the long term.

Overview of the conference

Based on this reality, the delegates unanimously agreed that the conservation of the White-faced Langur should be placed at the center of the strategy for building the heritage nomination dossier. Strengthening strict habitat protection, tightly controlling mineral exploitation activities, and gradually restoring and connecting ecological spaces not only aims to protect a globally endangered species but also demonstrates the local commitment to conservation and sustainable development standards as recommended by UNESCO.

The workshop also devoted considerable time to reviewing existing scientific research findings related to the geology, geomorphology, and ecosystems of Tam Chuc - Van Long. Much of the data accumulated through long-term research by specialized institutes and centers revealed a diversity of endemic species, including newly recorded species, contributing to strengthening the scientific basis for the nomination criteria according to the Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention.

THE "FINAL SPRINT" AND THE CHALLENGE OF HERITAGE MANAGEMENT

In his opening remarks at the workshop, Associate Professor Dr. Tran Tan Van, former Director of the Institute of Geological Sciences and Minerals, stated that Ninh Binh is at a pivotal moment in its journey to put the local heritage values ​​on the world map. The Tam Chuc – Van Long nomination project is in the final stages of completing the summary report to be submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Center, requesting Upstream consultation, and moving towards building the official nomination dossier.

Associate Professor Dr. Tran Tan Van, former Director of the Institute of Geological Sciences and Minerals, delivered the opening remarks at the Workshop. Photo: Ninh Binh Newspaper

According to Associate Professor Tran Tan Van, this process is not simply an administrative procedure, but a series of in-depth scientific dialogues, requiring arguments to meet increasingly stringent international standards, especially regarding integrity and management mechanisms. Delays in establishing the scientific basis pose a significant risk of wasting resources and time.

In this context, the workshop was identified as having the role of "screening" and reviewing the entire scientific data base, aiming at three core objectives: proposing and moving towards consensus on the boundaries of the nominated area; affirming and convincingly arguing the proposed criteria; and simultaneously creating a unified heritage governance model that ensures long-term effectiveness.

Mr. Jonathan Wallace Baker, Head of the UNESCO Office in Vietnam, speaks at the workshop. Photo: Ninh Binh Newspaper

Notably, the discussion group on cultural values ​​clarified the prehistoric archaeological traces at Tam Chuc, the system of murals on the cliffs in the Van Long area, along with evidence of ancient inhabitants, traditional livelihoods, and the process of human adaptation to the flooded karst environment. This is considered an important supplementary layer of value, contributing to enriching the overall picture of the heritage space.

Concluding the workshop, Professor Nguyen Van Kim, Vice Chairman of the National Council for Cultural Heritage and member of the World Heritage Committee, stated that the Organizing Committee had received a total of 12 papers on natural values, 11 papers on cultural values, and 7 papers related to the integrity, boundaries, and management of the nominated area.

In addition, the workshop also received important advice and guidance from representatives of the UNESCO Office in Hanoi and UNESCO experts in charge of heritage nomination work. Based on these results, the Steering Committee for the dossier preparation will finalize the report, and then implement the next steps in the process of proposing UNESCO recognition of the Complex as a World Heritage Site.

Source: https://vneconomy.vn/quan-the-tam-chuc-van-long-truc-co-hoi-tro-thanh-di-san-the-gioi.htm