The entrance gate to the Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark (in present-day Tuyen Quang province) suddenly collapsed following days of continuous heavy rainfall, triggering a serious landslide in the surrounding area.

At noon on October 8, Mr. Pham Duc Nam, Chairman of the Dong Van Commune People's Committee, confirmed to VietNamNet that the incident occurred at 7:00 AM the same day.

The entire Dong Van welcome gate collapsed, fortunately without causing any injuries. However, the structure - long considered a famous photo spot and symbolic marker for visitors to the Dong Van Karst Plateau - was reduced to rubble, leaving many locals and tourists disheartened.

According to Mr. Nam, the collapse was triggered by the prolonged impact of tropical storms No. 10 and No. 11, which brought heavy rainfall that saturated the soil around the structure. The resulting soil erosion and ground slippage compromised the gate’s foundation, causing it to give way.

Immediately after the incident, local authorities and relevant agencies arrived at the scene to clear debris and ensure traffic safety. Restoration plans for the gate are already underway.

cong chao 2.jpg
The gate collapsed due to landslide activity after continuous heavy rains. Photo: THGT

cong chao 1.jpg
The Dong Van welcome gate was the first photo spot for travelers arriving at the highlands. Photo: HHGT

The Dong Van Commune gate, inaugurated in November 2024, was built with a span of 10.5 meters, a height of 6.3 meters, and constructed using 740 stone blocks, nearly 18.5 cubic meters of wood, and over 26,000 yin-yang roof tiles.

This structure was considered a cultural emblem of the Dong Van Karst Plateau, reflecting highland identity with a mountain-inspired design and Hmong ethnic patterns. Beyond its architectural value, the gate symbolized the tourism identity of the former Ha Giang province, where visitors often stopped to capture photos commemorating their journey to Vietnam’s rugged northern frontier.

Duc Hoang