Six provinces are working on plans to get their geoparks recognized by UNESCO to promote tourism growth after Dong Van Karst Plateau in the northern province of Ha Giang became the first and only global geopark in Vietnam.

Tourists visit Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark in Ha Giang Province. Six provinces are working on plans to get their geoparks recognized by UNESCO to promote tourism growth.

The six provinces are Quang Ngai, Dak Nong, Cao Bang, Gia Lai, Phu Yen and Bac Can, heard a recent meeting on development of a national geopark network and geopark management model in Vietnam organized last week in the town of Dong Van by Ha Giang Province, Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO and Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources.

The plans of the six provinces are in line with Decision No. 1590/QD-TTg dated September 9, 2014 by the Prime Minister on geological heritage conservation and geopark network development and management in Vietnam.

Dong Van Karst Plateau has contributed much to  socio-economic development in the province since it was recognized by UNESCO as a global geopark.

Experts, scientists and local authorities have collaborated to build a network of national geoparks to protect gorgeous landscapes and create livelihoods for local people.

The provinces plan to ask UNESCO for recognition of their geoparks after they have made preparations. 

Le Hoai Trung, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, told the meeting that there will be subcommittees responsible for evaluating whether these geoparks meet UNESCO’s criteria or not. Eligible candidates will be submitted to UNESCO.

Lists of geoparks in the six provinces

- Quang Ngai: Ly Son Geopark was founded in December 2015 by the provincial government and covers about 127 square kilometers with a population of about 66,740.

- Dak Nong: Krong No Volcanic Geopark in the Central Highlands consists of Nam Nung mountains, Serepok River, Mo Nong Basalt Plateau, volcanic caves, nature reserves and cultural and historical sites featuring 40 ethnic minority groups.

- Cao Bang: The northern province is seeking to form a geopark comprising Ban Gioc Waterfall, Thang Then Lake, and geological, cultural and historical sites.

- Gia Lai: Gia Lai Geopark in the Central Highlands is expected to cover most of K’Bang District, the town of An Khe and parts of Mang Yang and Dak Doa districts with a total area of about 2,500 square kilometers. The geopark would contain the entire Kon Ka Kinh National Park on the Pleiku Plateau, Kon Chu Rang Nature Reserve on the Kon Ha Nung Plateau and the Ba River Valley.

- Phu Yen: The geopark in the central province would consist of Song Cau and Tuy An districts and a western part of the town of Tuy Hoa, including the coastal islands of the districts with a total area of about 1,250 square kilometers and a population of about 250,000.

- Bac Kan: The geopark in the northern province would include Ba Be National Park, Ba Be Karst Lake, Dau Dang Waterfalls, Nang River Karst Canyon, about 20 caves and fossil caves.