Officially recognized by UNESCO in April 2025, the Lang Son Global Geopark covers an area of over 4,800 km2. A special highlight of the geopark is its system of approximately 200 massive caves of considerable length. Beyond their geological value, these caves also serve as "stone historical records," preserving traces of prehistoric people.
Strengthening international cooperation
To exploit the potential of cave tourism, in recent years, the provincial authorities and departments have implemented many practical solutions such as: renovating some caves for tourism; including some cave sites in the province's tourism development plan... especially, immediately after Lang Son Geopark was recognized as a global geopark, relevant agencies and units have intensified international cooperation activities in developing cave exploration tourism.
Ms. Pham Thi Huong, Head of the Lang Son Geopark Management Department, Center for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion (CTDTTM&DL) of the province, said: “The construction and development of the UNESCO Global Geopark Lang Son directly contributes to the socio -economic development goals of the province. In particular, the development of geotourism – focusing on cave exploration products – is a new trend that aligns with the potential, creating a strong connection between the fields of culture, education, transportation, agriculture, and the environment. To ensure sustainable exploitation, we follow a strict roadmap from scientific surveys and topographic mapping to ensuring international standards for adventure safety. Our overarching principle is that development must be linked to conservation, absolutely avoiding encroachment on archaeological sites and natural stalactite formations. Besides cooperating with international organizations to standardize processes, we pay special attention to raising awareness among the community, as preventing negative impacts from human activities is crucial.” "Accessing the cave environment is a key factor in protecting the long-term value of the heritage."
Notably, from 2024 to the present, the Center for Trade Promotion, Investment and Tourism has worked with the Australian Business Association in Vietnam to promote cooperation activities in trade, investment and tourism; and has also met and worked with members of the National Cave Association of the United States, the National Cave Association of France and Vietnam Expeditions on promoting cooperation in developing cave exploration tourism in the UNESCO Global Geopark of Lang Son.
International partners have pledged to support the province in developing unique tourism products. Accordingly, the Center for Investment Promotion, Trade and Tourism has coordinated with various units to organize nearly 30 surveys, thereby creating new tourism products, including cave tourism products.
One of the key milestones is the publication of maps of Khuon Bong Cave (Vu Le commune) and Nguom Mooc Cave (Binh Gia commune) at a cooperation promotion program held in Hanoi at the end of 2025. Standardizing scientific data through detailed maps not only serves conservation purposes but also acts as a "guide" for designing professional adventure tourism products according to international standards.
In conjunction with the efforts of all levels and sectors, businesses like Vietnam Expeditions have implemented a standardized safety system and complied with the national standard TCVN 12592 (ISO 21101). As a result, the cave tourism product, despite being newly operational, has attracted a large number of tourists.
Mr. Pham Van Manh, Director of Vietnam Expeditions Company, said: since the beginning of 2025, the company has implemented extensive cooperation with the UNESCO Global Geopark Lang Son. By June 2025, the two sides signed a strategic partnership agreement to develop adventure tourism products associated with geological conservation and promote the local economy.
In July 2025, Vietnam Expeditions opened its operating office in Huu Lien commune, marking a significant step in building a specialized tour system. Among its offerings, the Yen Son mountain climbing and abseiling tour has become a standout product, attracting many young people thanks to its spectacular scenery and adventurous cave experiences with unique geological features.
According to Mr. Manh, the company has so far had over 1,000 tourists participate in its experiential activities. This is a positive sign showing the great potential of adventure tourism in Lang Son.
Towards sustainable development
Alongside exploitation activities, the province also places special emphasis on conservation and promoting the image of its heritage to the world. Since June 2025, the Provincial Center for Tourism Promotion and Trade and the National Cave Association of the United States have signed a memorandum of cooperation. Following the signing, the association has implemented measures to promote the values and tourist routes; provided policy advice and action plans; supported mapping; and introduced American explorers to Lang Son province.
Carson, a member of the National Cave Association of the United States, said: “Through field surveys at Oc Cave and Nuoc Cave (Huu Lien commune), we found that the cave system here possesses immense geomorphological value and remains pristine. However, the authorities need to focus on raising public awareness about protecting the stalactite system and the cave environment.”
Continuing its development momentum, in the first quarter of 2026, the Provincial Center for Tourism Promotion and Trade actively welcomed and worked with many prestigious expert delegations from the National Cave Association of the United States, the Velebit Scenic Society (Croatia), the SPEKUL Cave Club (Belgium), and the Dongguan University Cave Club (South Korea).
Entering the second quarter of 2026, the Center for Tourism Promotion and Trade will accelerate the completion of infrastructure to ensure safety at Vuon Cave (Van Linh commune), Nuoc Cave (Huu Lien commune), and Nguom Mooc Cave (Binh Gia commune); at the same time, it will renovate and upgrade the Mai Pha archaeological site. Measures to protect visitors, such as installing water level signs at Keng Tao Cave and warning of the risk of rockfalls at Tham Khuyen - Tham Hai Cave, will also be implemented simultaneously.
With a well-planned investment roadmap and a professional approach, cave exploration tourism products in the UNESCO Global Geopark Lang Son are gradually being developed, promising to become a distinctive brand of Lang Son province on the international tourism map.
Source: https://baolangson.vn/phat-trien-du-lich-tham-hiem-hang-dong-5081337.html
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