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On February 20, 2023, Lang Son Geopark Management Board coordinated with Chi Lang Advisory Group on construction and development of Lang Son Geopark, Van Linh Commune People's Committee to organize a training course on Geoparks, building a typical craft village and potential products attached the Logo of a UNESCO Global Geopark for people and cooperatives in craft villages and production areas which are potential for the attachment of the Logo of a UNESCO Global Geopar and at the same time integrate an environmental activity "For a Waste-free Van Linh Commune in 2023 - Building the image of a typical craft village in Lang Son Geopark".

At the training course on Geoparks, build a typical craft village and potential products attached the Logo of a UNESCO Global Geopark , the leader of Lang Son Geopark Management Board summarized the policy, purpose and meaning of the establishment of Lang Son Geopark, the implementation situation and the results achieved in the construction and development of Lang Son Geopark; overview of geological heritage, Geoparks, UNESCO Global Geoparks, effectiveness of Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark, Ha Giang Province, Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark, Lang Son Geopark, products bearing Logos of Geoparks, some typical craft villages of Vietnam associated with tourism development, set of criteria for partnership between Lang Son Geopark and some craft villages in Lang Son Geopark. Participants actively discussed the question “Why is  Van Linh dried noodles/golden chicken delicious?” and next steps to build Van Linh dried noodles/golden chicken craft Villages a typical Craft Village in Lang Son Geopark.

The environmental activity "For a Waste-free Van Linh Commune in 2023 - Building the image of a typical craft village in Lang Son Geopark" was organized in the form of a contest with eight participating teams in a total of 13 villages in Van Linh commune. The  teams cleaned inside the house to the gate, village roads, alleys, cultural houses (total garbage collected was over 300 bags). The contest has received the participation and positive response the local authorities, socio-political organizations and classes of people in the commune; demonstrating the spirit, responsibility, joy and pride of the community in joining hands to protect the environment, towards building the image of Lang Son Geopark for sustainable development and affirming its feasibility in the future to build the model "a Waste-free Van Linh Commune in 2023 - Building the image of a typical craft village in Lang Son Geopark". The organizers gave prizes to the teams (one first prize, two second prizes, two third prizes, three consolation prizes).

Community engagement activity to protect the environment "For a Waste-free Van Linh Commune in 2023 - Building the image of a typical craft village in Lang Son Geopark" contributes to propaganda and raising public awareness, roles and responsibilities on environmental protection for officials and people of Van Linh commune; campaigning not to use non-degradable plastic bags and single-use plastic products, using environmentally friendly products and services, not littering, practicing cleaning habits inside the house to gates, village roads, alleys, craft village areas, maintaining general hygiene... Thereby contributing to limiting the acts of causing environmental pollution, creating a clean environment landscape of the locality; helping people to be responsible and proud in joining hands to protect the environment, towards building the image of a sustainable and exemplary Van Linh Dried Noodles/Golden Chicken Village in Lang Son Geopark; creating a ripple effect in protecting the green, clean and beautiful environment, leaving a good impression on domestic and international tourists when visiting Lang Son Geopark.

Lang Son Geopark Management Board highly appreciates the determination of the local government in environmental protection, especially after the event "For a Waste-free Dried Noodles Village in Van Linh commune in 2023”, the delegation of Lang Son Geopark Management Board returned to Van Linh commune with the surprise and impression of the landscape, roads, and Van Linh drying noodles yards, which are clean and beautiful and there is not much waste. Along the roads, it is also very impressive because along the distance Chi Lang district town to Van Linh commune, through Thuong Cuong and Hoa Binh communes, there is not much waste as before, there are only green trees on both sides of the road, fields and mountains.

  The training course and the community engagement to protect the environment "For a Waste-free Van Linh Commune in 2023 - Building the image of a typical craft village in Lang Son Geopark" meets one of UNESCO’s criteria for recognition of a Global Geopark: the Geopark Management Board must engage in activities related to adaptation, disaster mitigation and climate change; develop education to mitigate climate change and natural hazards; the Management Board has the capacity and authority to run all activities of the Geopark, provide training programs for guides or Tour Operators working with the Management Board, officials, local managers and leaders actively and officially participate in training activities to improve the capacity and operation of the Geopark; local communities, indigenous people actively and officially participate in the operation of the Geopark, represent in the management structure of the Geopark and participate in the drafting, implementation of actions and Geopark projects; Geoparks must transfer knowledge, practices and management systems to the younger generation.

Pham Huong