On November 9, 2022, Lang Son Geopark Management Board organized a delegation to visit and work with UNESCO Office in Hanoi, Helvetas Organization, Huong Thu Travel Company and Vietnam Sports and Entertainment Joint Stock Company (VietClimb). The delegation included Mrs. Pham Thi Huong, Deputy Head of Lang Son Geopark Management Board and members of the Management Board.

The delegation of Lang Son Geopark Management Board visited and worked with UNESCO Office in Vietnam

At the meeting with the UNESCO Office in Vietnam, Lang Son Geopark Management Board gave an overview of the potential of geological, cultural, historical heritages, archaeology and biodiversity in Lang Son Geopark; results of implementing the project on establishing, constructing and developing Lang Son Geopark in the 2021-2025 period; proposed a number of cooperation initiatives with the UNESCO Office in Vietnam. Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Christian Manhart, Chief Representative of UNESCO to Vietnam introduced steps to submit the dossier to UNESCO. He highly appreciated the construction and development of Lang Son Geopark over the past time and said that Lang Son Geopark is on the right track, with great potential to be recognized as a Global Geopark; affirming that the UNESCO Office in Vietnam is ready to support the construction and development of Lang Son Geopark, complete the dossier to submit to UNESCO for recognition of the Global Geopark; connect and introduce UNESCO experts to provide technical support for the construction and development of Lang Son Geopark; consider supporting training to improve the quality of human resources and activities related to waste treatment, especially plastic waste treatment, contributing to building a circular economy and towards sustainable development in Lang Son Geopark. The Chief Representative of UNESCO to Vietnam expressed his desire to visit and work with the Leaders of Lang Son province, the Steering Committee for the Construction of Lang Son Global Geopark and survey Lang Son Geopark in early 2023.

The delegation of Lang Son Geopark Management Board took a souvenir photo with Mr. Chritian Manhart, Chief Representative of UNESCO to Vietnam

At the meeting with Helvetas, Mr. Pham Van Luong, Country Director briefly introduced Helvetas in Vietnam and its activities over the years. Helvetas is one of Europe's leading international NGOs with headquarters in Switzerland, Germany and the United States, with a network of operations in 30 countries around the world. Helvetas has been operating in Vietnam since 1994 in the fields of agriculture, forestry, governance, clean water - sanitation and rural development. Currently, Helvetas Vietnam's programs focus on sustainable and inclusive economic development; specific issues of climate change and vocational skills development. Lang Son Geopark Management Board introduced the potential of international geological heritage, geotourism, sports tourism in Lang Son Geopark, proposed cooperation ideas with Helvetas Organization in Vietnam on fields such as infrastructure in rural areas; natural resource management; education and culture; product value chain of Lang Son Geopark; capacity building for women; capacity building in eco-tourism and community-based tourism; culinary tourism training; specific issues on climate change and vocational skills development. Helvetas Vietnam wishes to promote cooperation with Lang Son province, especially in tourism value chains, agricultural specialty products (forestry products, timber), initially research on a tourism value chain project in Lang Son Geopark; wished to visit and survey Lang Son Geopark in December 2022 to assess the potential for tourism development and tourism services to promote cooperation in developing the eco-tourism and community-based tourism chain, thereby contributing to improving sustainable livelihoods for local communities in Lang Son Geopark.

The delegation of Lang Son Geopark Management Board visited and worked with Helvetas Organization in Vietnam

The delegation of Lang Son Geopark Management Board took a souvenir photo with the Leaders of Helvetas Organization in Vietnam

At the meeting with Huong Thu Travel Company, Mr. Mathieu Arnaudet, in charge of sales, briefly introduced the Company. Huong Thu Travel Company headquartered in Hanoi, has had an international travel license since 2006. The company has welcomed many French tourists to Vietnam to experience the eco-friendly, eco-tourism environment. The company specializes in organizing private tours at the request of customers. Mr. Mathieu Arnaudet and his family have just had a tour at Quynh Son Community Tourism Village, Bac Son district. He is very impressed with the local culture here. He said that the tourism infrastructure needs to be improved such as the system of panels, signs in heritage sites, tourism, scenic spots, parking lots, etc. Lang Son Geopark Management Board briefed on Lang Son Geopark and potential routes/tours in Lang Son Geopark. The two sides actively discussed solutions to pilot the unique experience route/tour in Lang Son Geopark for groups of tourists Europe, Australia and some Asian countries.

The delegation of Lang Son Geopark Management Board experienced the indoor climbing tourism model of VietClimb Company

Lang Son Geopark Management Board visited VietClimb Company, experienced indoor climbing tourism model; exchanged with Jean Verly, Director of VietClimb about sport climbing model - unique geological tourism product in Lang Son Geopark, potential for cooperation in developing sport climbing tourism products, promoting this geotourism product to domestic and international tourists, organizing the national or international sports climbing competition in Lang Son Geopark.

The delegation of Lang Son Geopark Management Board took a souvenir photo with Mr. Jean Verly, Director of VietClimb Company

The working program with the UNESCO Office in Vietnam, Helvetas Organization, Huong Thu Travel Company and Vietnam Sports and Entertainment Joint Stock Company took place successfully, contributing to introducting and promoting Lang Son Geopark to partners, strengthening international integration and cooperation, attracting resources to build and develop Lang Son Geopark.

Pham Huong