Within the framework of implementating the Task: Working with consultants to develop, evaluate, complete the Dossier to submit to UNESCO for recognition of an Global Geopark and prepare to welcome the UNESCO appraisal team, from October 9 to 14, 2022, the advisory team on the establishment and development of Lang Son Geopark led by Dr. Guy Martini, International Senior Expert, Chairman of UNESCO Global Geoparks Council paid a working visit to Lang Son province (hereinafter referred to as the advisory team).

The advisory team visited Chi Lang Pass, Chi Lang district in Lang Son Geopark

The advisory team surveyed and learned about Mother Goddess worship in Huu Lung district in Lang Son Geopark

The advisory team surveyed Bat Cave, Vu Le commune, Bac Son district in Lang Son Geopark

The advisory team surveyed Tham Khuyen - Tham Hai Cave, Tan Van commune, Binh Gia district in Lang Son Geopark

The advisory team surveyed Na La Cave, Lien Hoi commune, Van Quan district in Lang Son Geopark

On the afternoon of October 14, after a 5-day survey in Lang Son province, the advisory team had a working session with the Leaders of Lang Son Provincial People's Committee. Mr. Duong Xuan Huyen, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Head of the Steering Committee for Lang Son Global Geopark Construction chaired the meeting with the team.

Delegates at the meeting watched Video Clip promoting Lang Son Geopark

At the meeting, Dr. Guy Martini presented a report on the results of an overview survey on the current status of geological heritage values, biodiversity, archaeological sites, cultural heritages and tourism products in five districts in Lang Son Geopark and Loc Binh district; assessed potential, strengths as well as pointed out challenges and opportunities for Lang Son in the establishment and development of Lang Son Geopark into a UNESCO Global Geopark.

Dr. Guy Martini, International Senior Expert, Chairman of UNESCO Global Geoparks Council spoke at the meeting

The advisory team said that the biggest challenge for Lang Son Geopark is to find values different from, complementary to the values ​​of Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark (Ha Giang province) and Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark (Cao Bang province). If Lang Son Geopark only relies on Karst landscapes, cave systems, streams and waterfalls, it will be difficult to achieve the goal of being recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark.

After surveying more than 30 sites, the advisory team selected 15 potential and prospective sites and assessed the current status and investment level to develop into destinations in Lang Son Geopark. For example: Na Duong coal mine, Mau Son mountain (Loc Binh district); Chi Lang Pass (Chi Lang district); Tham Khuyen – Tham Hai Caves (Binh Gia district); Bac Le Temple, Dong Lam Eco-Tourism Site, Huu Lien Nature Reserve (Huu Lung district), Mo Mam Eco-Tourism Site (Bac Son district); Na La Cave, Lung Pa Pass (Van Quan district)...Among them, the advisory team initially found a number of geological heritages with potential to be assessed as international geological heritages, including Na Duong Basin, Loc Binh district (a unique place corresponding to lacustrine deposits of 20 million years ago with huge fauna (crocodiles, turtles, lizards), described in many international publications ); Early Trias Rocks from 200 million years ago together with fossils (fish, eels, vertebrates) are the basis of many international scientific publications; Tham Khuyen Cave, Binh Gia district (470,000-year-old site with Homo Erectus (more ancient people in Vietnam) associated with rich fauna (monkey, elephant, rhinoceros, etc.). These three sites within the territory of Lang Son Geopark are necessary and should provide scientific arguments to prove the international geoheritage value of Lang Son Geopark. The advisory team emphasized that the concept of Lang Son Geopark should be based on two pilars: The revolution of life and Mother Goddess worship (a unique aspect not found in two UNESCO Global Geoparks in Northeastern Vietnam).

The advisory team proposed a specific roadmap to proceed with the construction of the UNESCO Global Geopark, such as defining and adopting the concept, orientation for construction and development of Lang Son Geopark; conducting surveys to 35 additional sites to have enough 50 potential sites to develop into attractions and products of the Geopark; building image, development strategy of Lang Son Geopark; zoning and redefining the scope and boundaries of Lang Son Geopark in the direction of expanding to the area of ​​Loc Binh district; developing communication strategy, information centers, signs, panels, websites to promote Lang Son Geopark; building long-term plans, cost estimates for the development and operation of the Geopark and so on.

The advisory team said that Lang Son Geopark Management Board plays an important role in the management and operation of the Geopark, in the immediate future, it is essential to strengthen cooperation with the advisory team to collect necessary administrative information (maps, ethnic group zoning by commune, ...); show regular visibility in Lang Son Geopark to carry out propaganda activities, investigate legends and practices of ethnic groups in the Geopark, participating in the inventory of new natural and cultural sites, finding and recommending the necessary new sites in accordance with the "highlights" of the UNESCO Global Geopark, developing Lang Son Geopark by-products to have economic impact on local people (Yin-yang tile production village, etc.), developing action against climate change (waste management, alternative use of plastic bottles, etc.), determining the type of basic infrastructure at important sites in the entire territory of Lang Son Geopark (designing paths, setting up parking lots, signs and panels, etc.); organizing periodic and regular meetings with the advisory team to support the operation of Lang Son Geopark in better conditions. Currently, Lang Son Geopark Management Board has only five full-time employees, not meeting the criteria of a Management Board with strong capacity to effectively manage and operate Lang Son Geopark. Lang Son province needs to add human resources for the Management Board in the upcoming time. In addition, in order to realize the goal of the Project on the establishment, construction and development of Lang Son Geopark in the 2021 – 2025 period, it is necessary to mobilize/cooperate strongly from all levels and sectors of Lang Son province (administration, finance, roads, etc.), coordination/best interests of all districts involved in Lang Son Geopark (leadership and residents); well invest to equip and open to welcome visitors to 50 sites of Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark in the future and move towards the formation and realization of related infrastructures that have been adjusted. The advisory team affirmed that if these orientations are strictly implemented and with the comprehensive cooperation between the advisory team, the Leaders of Lang Son Province, Lang Son Geopark Management Board, Lang Son Geopark have a great chance of success.

At the meeting, responding to participants’ inquiry on the expansion of Lang Son Geopark including Loc Binh district in terms of geographical distance and operation of Na Duong Thermal Power Plant; within the scope of the Geopark in the near future, Lang Son province will implement a number of economic development projects that may affect the status quo of the topography, is it required to ask for permission from UNESCO? the advisory team replied that activities in the Geopark area are carried out as normal on the basis of compliance with the laws of the host country and after Lang Son Geopark is integrated into Lang Son Provincial Master Plan for the 2021 – 2030 period, with a vision to 2050, economic activities in Lang Son Geopark are implemented according to the provincial planning.

Mr. Nguyen Phuc Ha, Director of Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Standing Deputy Head of the Steering Committee for Lang Son Global Geopark Construction spoke at the meeting

Mr. Duong Xuan Huyen, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Head of the Steering Committee for Lang Son Global Geopark Construction spoke at the meeting

Speaking at the meeting, the Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee highly appreciated the recommendations of the advisory team; requested the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Lang Son Geopark Management Board to absorb the opinions of the advisory team, complete the report and submit it to the Provincial People's Committee together with the draft statement to ask for policy of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee on expanding the scope and boundaries of Lang Son Geopark; it is important to speed up the approval of the procurement plan and the contractor selection plan to implement the Bidding Package: Investigating, surveying, researching to add, evaluate and rank heritage values to demonstrate international geoheritage values, supplementing the missing points of the Geopark, promptly completing the dossier to submit to UNESCO to recognize Lang Son Geopark as a Global Geopark; Lang Son Geopark Management Board is required to coordinate with agencies and units to review and revise 12 tasks of the project on establishment, construction and development of Lang Son Geopark in the 2021-2025 period, rebuild the cost estimate close to the actual situation; printing signs, panels appropriately; continue to strengthen propaganda on the purpose and meaning of the project on establishment, construction and development of Lang Son Geopark in the 2021 – 2025 period … The Standing Vice Chairman expressed that Lang Son province shows a strong commitment to build Lang Son Geopark into a UNESCO Global Geopark; wishes to continue to receive the attention and support of the advisory team so that Lang Son Geopark is on the right track and meeting UNESCO’s criteria for recognition of a Global Geopark.

The Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee delivered a concluding speech at the meeting

The working visit of the advisory team for the establishment and development of Lang Son Geopark in Lang Son province took place successfully. Thereby it has contributed to assessing the current status of geological heritage values, biodiversity, archaeological sites, cultural heritages, tourism products in Lang Son Geopark, potential and prospects to construct and develop Lang Son Geopark into a UNESCO Global Geopark, propose orientations and recommendations to develop tourist attractions in Lang Son Geopark worthy of a global Geopark./.

Pham Huong