Local human resources have been actively participating in surveying and developing adventure tourism in Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark
Spanning over a vast territory of 4,842.58 km2, Lang Son Geopark is a hidden gem in the mountainous region of Northern Vietnam. It is a living testament, encapsulating in its diverse landscapes the journey through 500 million years of life's evolution. ancient seas and volcanic lands to ironwood forests, each facet of the Geopark tells a unique story. The Geopark is a vibrant tapestry of ethnic diversity, with contributions of unique customs and traditions each ethnic group. The spiritual life of the Geopark is deeply rooted in Dao Mau, a Mother Goddess worship belief recognized by UNESCO as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity. The harmonious combination of natural history, cultural diversity and spiritual traditions makes Lang Son Geopark a unique destination.
Lang Son Geopark has a majestic natural geological and geomorphological terrain, with about 200 caves, many beautiful waterfalls and sinkholes, containing countless interesting and attractive things. This will be a resource to promote the development of Geotourism (cave exploration, sport climbing, paragliding, trekking, waterfall crossing, sinkholes, SUB rowing). Coming to Lang Son Geopark, visitors will have mysterious and unique journeys of discovery, with memorable experiences.
In 2024, Mr. Kevin Ditamore, Representative of the National Caving Association of the United States in Vietnam, together with Vietnam Expeditions Joint Stock Company, cooperated with Lang Son Provincial Agency for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion to organize a survey at Khuon Bong Cave, Vu Le Commune, Bac Son District; Nuoc Cave, Yen Thinh Commune, Huu Lung District. In addition, Lang Son Provincial Agency for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion cooperated with Vietnam Expeditions Joint Stock Company to conduct surveys of Khuon Bong Cave (2nd time), Yen Son Heaven Gate (Huu Lung district), Sinkhole and Nguom Mooc Cave (Binh Gia district), and Dan Lai Cave (Cao Loc district). Initially, the cooperation program was very effective in assessing the potential for developing adventure tourism products in Lang Son Geopark, communicating and promoting the potential of adventure tourism, and enhancing the position of Lang Son Geopark. During the process of implementing the survey activities and organizing Demo Tours of adventure tourism in Lang Son Geopark, Vietnam Expeditions Joint Stock Company directly recruited local workers to participate in the work of carrying luggage, cooking, safety assistants. Staff of Lang Son Provincial Agency for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion, relevant agencies and units have actively participated in survey and exploration activities in Lang Son Geopark.
In 2025, Lang Son Geopark and its partners will continue to survey some of the approximately 200 caves, waterfalls, and sinkholes to assess their potential, a number of caves, sinkholes, and waterfalls as pilot projects, initially map some caves for promotion, plan routes for adventure tourism, identify areas of forming stalactites that need to be protected, support all search and rescue efforts, learn about the geology/hydrology of the area, and install safety equipment. It is hoped to cooperate with domestic and international photographers to take photos and film to serve the purpose of promoting adventure tourism in Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopar, develop and announce geotourism products at the Ceremony to receive the Certificate of UNESCO Global Geopark Title in November 2025, put operation geotourism products and tours typical of Lang Son Geopark - Highlight of the brand of Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark tourism on the world map (strongly promote the image of Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark exploration tourism in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network).
In the coming time, it is hoped that travel companies developing geological tours in the UNESCO Global Geopark area will directly recruit local workers to participate in luggage carrying, cooking, safety assistants and many other positions so that they have a stable source of income, more responsible in protecting geoheritages and other heritage values, they see geoheritages as a valuable asset for their jobs, a place for them to have a better life.
Lang Son Geopark Management Division (Lang Son Provincial Agency for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion)