UNESCO experts take souvenir photos with artisans and students at Tham Khuyen - Tham Hai cave, Tan Van commune, a tourist destination located in route 2 of the UNESCO Global Geopark of Lang Son.
Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark was officially recognized in April 2025 with an area of over 4,800 km². This is the 4th member of the UNESCO Global Geopark network in Vietnam, after Dong Van, Cao Bang, Dak Nong . The park converges 38 typical heritage sites of geology, geomorphology, archaeology and culture, reflecting the 500 million year evolution of the Earth through a system of limestone mountains, ancient fossils, majestic caves and precious archaeological sites. The outstanding value of the park is the convergence of all 6 types of intangible cultural heritage, creating a diverse, unified cultural space of Lang Son, imbued with local identity.
Advantages from the heritage system
Lang Son is a land rich in identity with many typical folk art forms, notably Then singing of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups - a heritage recognized by UNESCO as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity. In addition, the sli, luong, pao dung, and xang co melodies, along with 9 national intangible cultural heritages such as the Ngo Tro Festival, the Na Nhem Festival, and the Dao people's Cap Sac Ceremony, etc., create a rich cultural foundation, contributing significantly to the development of cultural tourism and community tourism. In addition, folk knowledge about handicrafts (such as making star anise essential oil and dried extract) and farming techniques (such as growing Chi Lang custard apples and Bao Lam persimmons) are also invaluable assets, closely linked to the geological heritage system and natural landscape here.
Dr. Trinh Hai Son, Head of the Vietnam Global Geoparks Expert Subcommittee, commented: The typical temples of Mother Goddess worship in Lang Son are mostly located in the core area of the Geopark. This is a great potential for developing spiritual tourism associated with the construction and effective promotion of the activities of the UNESCO Lang Son Global Geopark. Lang Son is one of the few places that fully converges the values of ancient stratigraphy, rare fossils, archaeological relics and rich national cultural identity. This is a model for combining conservation and development, geology and community livelihoods.
UNESCO experts experience Then singing and Tinh lute at Tham Khuyen - Tham Hai cave, a tourist destination located in route 2 of Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark.
The harmonious combination of the history of the formation of the natural world, geological landscapes and cultural diversity along with the Mother Goddess worship has shaped the tourist routes here with the theme "The flow of life in the sacred land". Currently, Lang Son Geopark has formed 4 tourist routes (discovering the world of the upper world; journey to the border; rustic life on earth; exploring the aquarium) with 38 attractions being deployed.
In the Bac Son area, giant limestone blocks exist as evidence of geological tectonic processes over millions of years. In Na Duong, sedimentary layers filled with fossils of hippos, rhinos, ancient crocodiles, etc. clearly demonstrate the transformation of the ecosystem over time.
In particular, traces of prehistoric humans were found in Tham Khuyen - Tham Hai Cave with evidence of human presence more than 500,000 years ago. The Bac Son culture - which has been included in textbooks - and the Mai Pha culture about 4,000 years ago, reflect the progress from cave life to agricultural settlement, pottery and community formation. In addition, there is a system of caves, sinkholes, and underground streams that have not been fully explored, opening up great opportunities for scientific research and ecotourism development.
Preserving and promoting heritage
In recent times, the province has focused on implementing many solutions to preserve and promote cultural heritage values associated with the development of geoparks.
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, which was approved in Decision No. 1590 dated September 9, 2014 of the Prime Minister, the construction of Lang Son Geopark is a specific and necessary step to preserve cultural, historical and natural values; protect the environment, develop tourism and future-oriented education.
Accordingly, from 2024 to present, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has been implementing the construction of three traditional cultural villages including: Thach Khuyen stone village; Lan Chau village and Quynh Son community tourism village (Bac Quynh) - invested as a pilot model, focusing on preserving and promoting intangible cultural values such as then singing, sli, luong, lion dance, preserving traditional embroidery and weaving, and folk knowledge.
In particular, Quynh Son community tourism village, Bac Son commune, a tourist destination located in the UNESCO Lang Son Global Geopark, has just been honored as "The best tourist village in the world in 2025", opening up a golden opportunity for community tourism to develop strongly.
Along with infrastructure, the human factor is given special attention. Classes teaching then, sli, luong; policies to support artisans and traditional art troupes not only help preserve heritage, but also motivate the younger generation to continue the cultural source. In particular, since the beginning of 2025, the Provincial Cultural Center has established 10 ethnic folk cultural activity clubs (including then singing, sli singing, lion dance) in some of the geopark areas in the province. Before being established, the clubs were taught knowledge, practiced performing some types of folk cultural activities and invested in costumes and tools for activities and performances with a total support cost of nearly 1 billion VND.
The preservation of heritage has been clearly recognized by the younger generation. Duong Thi Khanh Ly, from Bac Son commune, shared: I have been learning to play the Tinh lute for more than 3 years now. In addition to being able to play the Tinh lute, sing Then, and dance Chau, I also understand more about the cultural identity of my people. I believe that preserving the precious intangible cultural heritage of the nation will contribute to the construction and development of Lang Son Geopark.
Orientation in the new phase
To continue to effectively manage, preserve and promote the value of Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark, the Provincial Party Standing 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. The conservation goal is also clearly set: striving to establish a profile to rank at least 6 sites and relic sites, and have at least 1 site on the list of International Geoheritage of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) by 2030.
Ms. Pham Thi Huong, Head of Lang Son Geopark Management Department, Provincial Center for Promotion, Investment, Trade and Tourism, said: The province is focusing on implementing the task of building and developing the Geopark in the period of 2026 - 2030, aiming to maximize the advantages of landscape, ecosystem and indigenous culture. In particular, we have been implementing a number of solutions such as: raising awareness and responsibility of the whole society, especially the young generation, on preserving and promoting the value of the Geopark; focusing on mobilizing, integrating and effectively using social resources...
The effort to preserve and spread cultural values is also demonstrated through the publication "Preserving and promoting intangible cultural values in the Lang Son Geopark area" co-edited by Associate Professor - Doctor Vuong Toan and Mr. Nguyen Phuc Ha, Chairman of the Literature and Arts Association, published by the Information and Communications Publishing House. The book not only has academic value but also calls 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 source of great pride, affirming the province's position and development potential. With an open development strategy, focusing on maximizing geological advantages associated with unique intangible cultural identity, Lang Son is moving towards a sustainable development model, not only improving the material and spiritual life of the people but also becoming an attractive and responsible destination in the global geopark network.
Source: https://baolangson.vn/vuon-tam-di-san-van-hoa-xu-lang-5065390.html
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