On October 31, 2022, Lang Son Geopark Management Board held an online meeting with Rinjani Lombok UNESCO Global Geopark Management Board, Indonesia and Vietnam Sports and Entertainment Joint Stock Company (VietClimb). On the Lang Son side, there were Mrs. Pham Thi Huong, Deputy Head of Lang Son Geopark Management Board, members of the Management Board, the working groups advising on construction and development of Lang Son Geopark in Bac Son, Binh Gia, Chi Lang, Huu Lung, Van Quan districts.

At the meeting, the participants watched a Video Clip about Lang Son Geopark and a Video Clip about Rinjani Lombok UNESCO Global Geopark. Lang Son Geopark Management Board briefed on Lang Son Geopark, the potential of international geological heritage, geotourism, sports tourism in Lang Son Geopark, activities of Lang Son Geopark. 

Participants watched a Video Clip about Lang Son Geopark

Mr. Jean Verly, Director of VietClimb shared about the sport climbing model - a unique geological tourism product in Lang Son Geopark. Sports climbing activities have initially been developed in Yen Thinh commune, Huu Lung district since 2012 with two forms of guided climbing and climbing with available anchor ropes. In 2018, sport climbing received stronger investment and development. Currently there are 11 climbing points, with more than 150 climbing routes at various levels. In each area, there is a climbing map designed by research and development experts, a basic information sheet of climbing routes. The tourism product "Sport climbing" in Yen Thinh commune has been exploited and built 2-day, 1-night tours or 1-day tours. The tour has a guide and a technical guide. Normally, the tour has a maximum of 20 people climbing at a climbing point to ensure safety because of limited standing and climbing path. Sports climbing tours have attracted many visitors, of whom 80% of mountaineering tourists are foreigners France, USA, Australia, Japan, Switzerland, Germany, etc. Besides, a large number of tourists are trainees of climbing clubs or some international high schools with climbing subjects. Sport climbing is a sustainable tourism product, bringing interesting experiences for tourists, local communities increasing income providing food and accommodation services for tourists.

VietClimb talked about indoor sport climbing model

VietClimb introduced the sport climbing model in Yen Thinh commune, Huu Lung district

The representative of Rinjani Lombok UNESCO Global Geopark Management Board introduced about Rinjani Lombok UNESCO Global Geopark, shared experiences in developing geotourism, sports tourism (climbing, hiking, mountain biking, paragliding, running, etc.). Every year, Rinjani Lombok UNESCO Global Geopark Management Board organizes Sports Tourism Festival in the Geopark area, attracting many domestic and international tourists. The organization of festivals has contributed to creating a driving force for socio-economic growth, improving traffic infrastructure, airports and roads, improving service quality of passenger carriers and service providers, accommodation, restaurants increasing income because tourists come to visit, experience the Geopark area and stay longer, traditional shops and markets selling a lot of local products, improved local souvenir quality, the significantly boosted quality of human resources as tour guides. The Indonesian participant proposed that the two sides promote cooperation in promoting each other's Geoparks, organize visits and exchanges between the two Geoparks; invited Lang Son Geopark Management Board to attend the 2023 Geopark Sports Tourism Conference.

Sport mountain bike model of Rinjani Lombok UNESCO Global Geopark, Indonesia

Rinjani Lombok UNESCO Global Geopark Information Center gets upgraded ahead of the Sports Tourism Festivals

Geopark Sports Tourism Festival enhances local community's organizational, marketing and bidding capacities

Participants both sides actively exchanged and discussed experiences in developing geotourism and sports tourism in the geopark area. The two sides agreed to continue to keep in touch, share information about events organized by each side, strengthen the promotion of the two geoparks’ geotourism and sports tourism products.

The working program with Rinjani Lombok UNESCO Global Geopark Management Board took place successfully, contributing to introducing and promoting Lang Son Geopark to partners, enhancing international integration and cooperation, participating in the activities of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network. At the same time, this is an opportunity for the staff of the Working Group advising on building and developing Lang Son Geopark to promote the local's potential and strengths to foreign partners, learn about the meaning, values, activities of UNESCO Global Geoparks, practice language skills, improve international integration skills in Geopark construction.

Pham Hương