UNESCO experts took a commemorative photo with artisans and students at Tham Khuyen - Tham Hai caves, Tan Van commune, a tourist destination located on Route 2 of the UNESCO Lang Son Global Geopark.
The UNESCO Global Geopark Lang Son was officially recognized in April 2025, covering an area of over 4,800 km². It is the fourth member of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network in Vietnam, after Dong Van, Cao Bang , and Dak Nong. The park brings together 38 representative heritage sites in geology, geomorphology, archaeology, and culture, reflecting the Earth's 500 million-year evolutionary journey through limestone mountain systems, ancient fossils, magnificent caves, and valuable archaeological sites. A prominent value of the park is the convergence of all six types of intangible cultural heritage, creating a diverse and unified cultural space in Lang Son, deeply rooted in local identity.
Advantages from the heritage system
Lang Son is a land rich in cultural identity with many distinctive folk art forms, most notably the Then singing of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups – a UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage of humanity. In addition, the sli, luon, pao dung, xang co melodies, along with nine national intangible cultural heritages such as the Tro Ngo Festival, Na Nhem Festival, and the Dao people's coming-of-age ceremony, create a rich cultural foundation, contributing significantly to the development of cultural and community tourism. Furthermore, folk knowledge about handicrafts (such as making anise essential oil and dried balm) and farming techniques (such as growing Chi Lang custard apples and Bao Lam persimmons) are invaluable assets, closely linked to the geological heritage and natural landscape of the region.
Dr. Trinh Hai Son, Head of the Vietnam Global Geopark Expert Subcommittee, commented: Most of the representative temples of the Mother Goddess worship in Lang Son are located within the core area of the Geopark. This represents a great potential for developing spiritual tourism linked to the construction and effective operation of the UNESCO Lang Son Global Geopark. Lang Son is one of the few places that fully embodies the values of ancient stratigraphy, rare fossils, archaeological relics, and rich ethnic cultural identity. This serves as a model for combining conservation and development, geology and community livelihoods.
UNESCO experts experience Then singing and Tinh lute playing at Tham Khuyen - Tham Hai caves, tourist destinations located on Route 2 of the UNESCO Lang Son Global Geopark.
The harmonious blend of the natural world's history, geological landscapes, and cultural diversity, along with the Mother Goddess worship, has shaped the tourism routes here with the theme "The Flow of Life in the Sacred Land". Currently, Lang Son Geopark has developed four tourism routes (exploring the highlands; journeys to the border regions; rustic life in the earthly world; and exploring the underwater kingdom) with 38 attractions under development.
In the Bac Son region, massive limestone formations stand as evidence of millions of years of geological processes. In Na Duong, sedimentary layers filled with fossils of hippos, rhinoceroses, ancient crocodiles, etc., clearly demonstrate the transformation of the ecosystem through different periods.
In particular, traces of prehistoric humans have been found in Tham Khuyen - Tham Hai Caves, providing evidence of human presence dating back over 500,000 years. The Bac Son culture – already included in textbooks – along with the Mai Pha culture, dating back approximately 4,000 years, reflects the progression from cave-dwelling life to settled agriculture, pottery, and community formation. In addition, the system of caves, sinkholes, and underground streams remains largely unexplored, offering significant opportunities for scientific research and ecotourism development.
Preserving and promoting heritage
Over the past period, the province has focused on implementing many solutions to preserve and promote the value of cultural heritage in conjunction with the development of the Geopark.
Mr. Luu Ba Mac, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said: Implementing the Project on Conservation of Geological Heritage, Development and Management of Geopark Network in Vietnam, approved by Decision No. 1590 dated September 9, 2014 of the Prime Minister, the construction of Lang Son Geopark is a concrete and necessary step to preserve cultural, historical, and natural values; protect the environment; develop tourism; and provide future-oriented education.
Accordingly, from 2024 to the present, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has been implementing the construction of three traditional cultural villages: Thach Khuyen stone village; Lan Chau hamlet and Quynh Son community tourism village (Bac Quynh) – invested as model villages, focusing on preserving and promoting intangible cultural values such as Then, Sli, Luon singing, lion dance, preserving traditional embroidery and weaving crafts, and folk knowledge.
In particular, Quynh Son community tourism village in Bac Son commune, a tourist destination located within the UNESCO Global Geopark of Lang Son, has just been honored as the "Best Tourism Village in the World in 2025," opening up golden opportunities for the strong development of community tourism.
Alongside infrastructure development, the human factor is given special attention. Classes teaching then, sli, and luon folk singing; policies supporting artisans and traditional performing arts groups not only help preserve heritage but also create motivation for the younger generation to continue the cultural tradition. Particularly since the beginning of 2025, the Provincial Cultural Center has established 10 folk culture clubs (including then, sli, and lion dance) in several areas within the Geopark in the province. Before establishment, these clubs received training in the knowledge and practice of performing various forms of folk culture and were provided with costumes and equipment for activities and performances, with a total support cost of nearly 1 billion VND.
The younger generation is well aware of preserving this heritage. Duong Thi Khanh Ly from Bac Son commune shared: "I have been learning to play the zither for more than three years now. Besides being able to play the zither, sing Then songs, and perform Chau dances, I also gain a better understanding of my ethnic group's cultural identity. I believe that preserving this precious intangible cultural heritage will contribute to the construction and development of Lang Son Geopark."
Orientation in the new phase
To continue managing, preserving, and effectively promoting the value of the UNESCO Global Geopark Lang Son, the Provincial Party Committee issued Resolution No. 223, dated May 30, 2025, with a vision and strategic goals until 2035. According to the resolution, Lang Son aims for an open development model, identifying tourism as a key economic sector, with the goal of welcoming 6 million tourists by 2030 and 9 million by 2035. Conservation goals are also clearly set: striving to have at least 6 sites and relics included in the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) list of International Geoparks by 2030.
Ms. Pham Thi Huong, Head of the Lang Son Geopark Management Department, Provincial Center for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion, said: The province is focusing on implementing the task of building and developing the geopark in the 2026-2030 period, aiming to maximize the advantages of landscape, ecosystem and local culture. In particular, we are currently implementing several solutions such as: raising awareness and responsibility of the entire society, especially the younger generation, regarding the preservation and promotion of geopark values; focusing on mobilizing, integrating and effectively utilizing social resources...
Efforts to preserve and disseminate cultural values are also demonstrated through the publication "Preserving and Promoting Intangible Cultural Values in the Lang Son Geopark Region," co-authored by Associate Professor - Dr. Vuong Toan and Mr. Nguyen Phuc Ha, Chairman of the Association of Literature and Arts, and published by the Information and Communications Publishing House. The book not only possesses academic value but also serves as a call for the community to join hands in preserving and promoting heritage, linking culture with sustainable tourism development.
The recognition of Lang Son Geopark as a UNESCO Global Geopark is a great source of pride, affirming the province's position and development potential. With an open development strategy, focusing on maximizing its geological advantages coupled with its unique intangible cultural identity, Lang Son is moving towards a sustainable development model, not only improving the material and spiritual lives of its people but also becoming an attractive and responsible destination within the global geopark network.
Source: https://baolangson.vn/vuon-tam-di-san-van-hoa-xu-lang-5065390.html
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