UNESCO Global Geopark Title

            Geo-heritage is a place on earth storing evidence and imprints of the forming and development of the Earth, the evolution history of life in an area and a region on the planet.  The geo-heritage is non-renewable, so that it must be sustainably preserved, exploited and used.

Geoparks emerge as a new type of geotourism, ushering in a new era of social responsibility and eco-friendly tourism, promoting an integrated protection model between preserving outstanding geological features and heritage. At the same time, It encourages educational opportunities and socio-economic development.

A "Global Geopark" is a natural area with clear geographical-administrative boundaries, containing a collection of world-class geological and landscape heritages of scientific, educational, sustainable development, along with other of biodiversity, archeology, history, culture and society. It has a large area to develop the local economy, through the development of tourism and other forms of tourism services which are recognized by UNESCO.

The title of UNESCO Global Geopark is one of the three most noble titles of UNESCO (world heritage, world biosphere reserve, global geopark), with catalytic value, strong stimulating demand for the Geopark area; integration of heritage in the Geopark area; strengthening international and domestic integration is a great opportunity that many other places do not have; more and more comprehensive attention and priority of the Government, Ministries, Departments, domestic and international organizations and investors; The work of information and promotion about the of the Geopark area is widely communicated to the local community, domestic and international tourists (the Geopark information is posted more often on websites, mass media, social networks); propaganda, promotion, education, public awareness raising, scientific research, gender equality and so on. They are be more focused; geoparks are oriented towards sustainable development, focusing on preservation and overall promotion of heritage values, clearly defined priority areas, in line with the guidelines and policies of the Government, UNESCO, the United Nations and so on. The prevention and mitigation of natural disasters, effective response to climate change, rational use of resources are be more focused; more new livelihood opportunities, especially tourism and associated services; the opportunity to both visit and travel while learning, understanding, and integrating with the community; The information system includes the Geopark Information Center/Geopark Museum, a system of interpretion pannels at tourist attractions and heritage sites, which are increasingly updated and supplemented with new modern technology. They are both a strong point and also open up opportunities for greater tourism development; all activities of the Geopark are not only regularly monitored, periodically inspected and re-evaluated but also helping the social life, builing, operation and development of the Geopark to be improved more conveniently and transparently.

Currently, in the world, there are more than 177 global geoparks recognized by UNESCO in 46 countries. After joining the network, tourism activities in these regions have grown tremendously. Geotourism is a type of tourism that provides tourists and visitors with information and knowledge about the formation mechanism, the history of the development of landscapes, interesting landscapes, and natural products formed by endogenous and exogenous processes. Geotourism is a form of tourism that is sustainable, educational and beneficial to the local communities concerned, which has long been applied in Vietnam in various forms.

Sport climbing- a type of Geo-Tourism in Lang Son Geopark

The international community is increasingly aware of the need to protect the common Geo-Heritage of all humanity or the geological areas of scientific, educational, cultural and aesthetic value, integration between preservation and sustainable socio-economic development.

Synthesized by Pham Huong