Tuyen Quang has a tourist area honored as 'Asia's Leading Cultural Destination 2025'

VTV.vn - Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark, Tuyen Quang province, was honored by World Travel Awards as "Asia's Leading Regional Cultural Destination 2025".

Lung Cu flagpole in Lung Cu commune ( Tuyen Quang )

On the evening of October 13, 2025, in Hong Kong (China) , the World Travel Awards (WTA) Asia and Oceania 2025 ceremony took place solemnly, gathering representatives of international organizations, management agencies, businesses and journalists from many countries and territories.

At the event, Tuyen Quang province (Vietnam) was honored to receive the title: "Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark, Tuyen Quang, Vietnam - Asia's Leading Regional Cultural Destination 2025" by the World Travel Awards (WTA).

Representative of Tuyen Quang province at the event. (Photo: Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Tuyen Quang province)

This is one of the most prestigious categories of WTA, honoring destinations with outstanding achievements in preserving indigenous culture, developing sustainable tourism and preserving natural ecosystems .

Previously, Ha Giang province (before the merger) was also honored by WTA for two consecutive years as "Asia's Leading Emerging Tourist Destination 2023" and "Asia's Leading Regional Cultural Destination 2024".

UNESCO Global Geopark – Heritage of nature and people

On October 1, 2010, Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark, Tuyen Quang was recognized by UNESCO as the first Global Geopark of Vietnam , and at the same time one of the most unique geological regions in Southeast Asia .

To date, the Park has been periodically re-evaluated by UNESCO three times (2014, 2018, 2022) and has always maintained its title , affirming Vietnam's prestige and international position in the global Geopark network.

In 2025, the Park will continue to be entered into the second round of the global World Tourism Awards , marking a new step in the journey of international integration. In 2026, the Park will enter the fourth UNESCO re-evaluation period , an important milestone to continue to maintain and improve global geoheritage standards.

Dong Van Stone Plateau has an area of ​​over 2,345 km² , preserving a geological formation dating back more than 500 million years with hundreds of geological, paleontological, geomorphological heritages and majestic karst landscapes.

Traces of marine fossils , ancient limestone layers , pristine cave systems , and evidence of the Earth's crust's tectonic activity have created a rare " living geological museum " in the world.

Not only has geological value, this place is also the living space of 17 ethnic groups , a place of convergence and cultural exchange of diverse and unique features . The rammed earth houses , highland markets , Mong flute festivals , Dao people's ordination ceremony , or Khau Vai love market ... have become " living cultural signs ", proving the enduring vitality in the midst of majestic nature .

The harmonious combination of geological heritage - cultural heritage - human heritage has created the unique identity of Dong Van Stone Plateau, inspiring domestic and foreign tourists, researchers and photographers.

Speaking at the event, a representative of Tuyen Quang province shared: "Continuing to be named at the World Tourism Awards is a great source of pride, affirming the right direction in the strategy of sustainable tourism development associated with preserving and promoting the cultural identity of the rocky plateau. This title is not only an international recognition of the local efforts, but also a driving force for Tuyen Quang to continue expanding connections, improving product quality and promoting the destination's image to the region and the world."

The award "Asia's Leading Regional Cultural Destination 2025" once again affirms Tuyen Quang's position on the regional and international tourism map, and is a worthy successor to the series of titles that the locality has achieved in recent years.

This is also a testament to the province's strategic vision in promoting the value of UNESCO heritage, turning geological and cultural resources into a driving force for green economic development, sustainable tourism and community livelihoods.

Held annually since 1993, the World Travel Awards is a prestigious award of the global tourism industry, considered the "Oscars of the world tourism industry". The awards aim to honor organizations, businesses and destinations with outstanding achievements in the fields of aviation, hotels, resorts, golf tourism, destinations, rail transport and many other categories.

Source: https://vtv.vn/tuyen-quang-co-khu-du-lich-duoc-vinh-danh-diem-den-van-hoa-hang-dau-chau-a-2025-100251013232002327.htm