The 8th Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium in 2024 took place in Cao Bang province 8 to 15 September, 2024. The delegation Lang Son province led by Mr. Duong Xuan Huyen, member of the Provincial Party, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, Head of the Steering Committee for Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark Development attended the conference.

The Lang Son delegation took a commemorative photo with Mr. Bui Thanh Son, Member of the Central Party and Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam, Minister of Foreign Affairs along with Ms. Lidia Brito, Assistant Director-General of UNESCO for Natural Sciences, and other delegates attending the conference.

            On September 8, 2024, within the framework of the conference, the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council held a meeting in which Lang Son Geopark was evaluated and voted to be recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark, with a unanimous 100% approval. The recognition of Lang Son Geopark as a UNESCO Global Geopark provides the province with additional motivation and opportunities to concentrate resources further to enhance management, conservation, and the promotion of geological heritage, cultural history, archaeological heritage, biodiversity, and the unique scenic landscapes of Lang Son province. This also contributes to creating sustainable livelihoods for local people in the Geopark area and promoting tourism development of the province.

Lang Son province delegates participated in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council meeting as Observers.

            Additionally, on the afternoon of September 11, the Lang Son delegation attended the 20th-anniversary celebration of the establishment of the Global Geoparks Network, with the participation of nearly 500 national and international delegates. The celebration marked two decades of building and developing the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, which works towards preserving and promoting diverse forms of geological heritage, biodiversity, natural landscapes, tangible and intangible cultural heritage, and environmental protection activities for community development and sustainable growth. It also aims to strengthen solidarity among network members in pursuing the common goals of UNESCO Global Geoparks. Active participation in the activities of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network and the Asia-Pacific region’s network contributes to helping Lang Son province expand cooperation and promote the image of Lang Son Geopark, especially as the UNESCO Global Geoparks.

The delegates Lang Son province attended the 20th-anniversary celebration of the establishment of the Global Geoparks Network.

            On the morning of September 12, 2024, the 8th Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium officially opened with the theme "Local Communities and Sustainable Development in Geoparks."

Mr. Duong Xuan Huyen, member of the Provincial Party, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, and other delegates attended the opening ceremony of the conference.

            The UNESCO Global Geoparks Network conference in the Asia-Pacific region is held biennially by member countries to share and exchange effective models, practical solutions, and experiences in building and developing geoparks according to UNESCO criteria. It raises awareness and responsibility at various levels and among local communities about conserving and promoting different forms of heritage to foster sustainable tourism development.

          At the 8th conference, plenary sessions for geoparks were held, focusing on strengthening exchanges, cooperation, and networking among members of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network in the Asia-Pacific region. These included sharing experiences, initiatives, and effective models in building and promoting geoparks, along with the scientific symposium and various activities September 12 to 15. There were also exchanges and cooperation agreements signed among geoparks in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network in the Asia-Pacific region, along with other thematic activities and cooperation exchanges.

The representative the Lang Son Geopark Management Board made a presentation on "Difficulties and Challenges of Aspiring Geoparks” at the scientific symposium

            During the event, the organizers arranged an exhibition space to showcase the cultural, historical, and geological of Vietnamese geoparks and those in the Asia-Pacific region and globally. The Lang Son Geopark booth featured presentations on the region’s achievements, tourism investment potential, and regional specialties, including OCOP (One Commune One Product) goods and local rural industrial products Lang Son, such as star anise oil, cinnamon, black jelly, dried pork with Clausena Indica leaf, and Vạn Linh Noodle Village. Various promotional materials about Lang Son Geopark, including tourism guides and brochures local businesses and cooperatives, were also on display.

Mr. Duong Xuan Huyen, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Standing Vice Chairman of Lang Son Provincial People’s Committee, visited the Lang Son Geopark display booth.

Mr. Duong Xuan Huyen, Member of the Provincial Party, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, along with the provincial delegates, visited the Lang Son Geopark exhibition booth and took commemorative photos.

Experts the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council visited the Lang Son Geopark booth.

The booth also featured a showcase of Lang Son's culinary specialties, including roasted duck and braised pork belly, two of Vietnam’s Top 100 specialty dishes, presented by a partner of Lang Son Geopark, the Thien Phu Trading Construction Co., Ltd., alongside other local products.

            The 8th Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium 2024 in Cao Bang province provided an opportunity for Lang Son Geopark to learn and share experiences in developing geopark with other countries. It was also a chance for Lang Son to promote its tourism image to domestic and international delegates, contributing to realizing the ambition of establishing the Lang Son tourism brand and fulfilling the province’s strategic goals. This event opened up new opportunities for Lang Son tourism, contributing to the local tourism sector's steady progress towards becoming a key economic driver.

                                        LANG SON GEOPARK MANAGEMENT BOARD