On the morning of March 27, 2023, the People's Committee of Lang Son Province held a meeting with the UNESCO and Vietnam Advisory Team. Attending the meeting on the side of Lang Son province were Mr. Duong Xuan Huyen, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Head of the Steering Committee for Lang Son Global Geopark Construction; Representatives of member agencies of the Steering Committee for Lang Son Global Geopark Construction; People's Committees of districts: Bac Son, Binh Gia, Van Quan, Chi Lang, Huu Lung, Cao Loc, Loc Binh and Lang Son city; Representative of Na Duong Coal Mine Company; Representative of Mau Son Sun Co., Ltd; Leader and Officials of Lang Son Geopark Management Board; Dr. Guy Martini - Geology Doctor, international senior expert, Chairman of UNESCO Global Geoparks Council and Vietnamese experts.

On behalf of the Advisory Team, Mr. Guy Martini reported the survey results March 11 to March 15, 2023 on an overview of the current status of geological heritage, biodiversity and cultural heritage, tourism products in the districts of Loc Binh, Huu Lung, Chi Lang, Binh Gia, Van Quan, Cao Loc and Lang Son city. The Advisory Team has selected a number of potential sites in the districts and cities to build four routes with 41 attractions (expected) all of which have paleontological and heritage values, cultural history, archeology, typical local occupations and relics associated with Mother Goddess beliefs ... Besides, the experts also recommended and proposed solutions to overcome, focus on implementation in the construction and development of Lang Son Geopark in the period such as the need to adjust the scope of Lang Son Geopark, for four sightseeing routes, parking lots should be arranged soon; building information centers…; concurrently proposing to sign basic agreements and special agreements with a number of units and enterprises; closely following the progress of work to ensure the development of dossier to submit to UNESCO.

Mr. Guy Martini - international senior expert, Chairman of UNESCO Global Geoparks Council spoke at the meeting

          Representatives of the People's Committees of districts: Bac Son, Binh Gia, Van Quan, Chi Lang, Huu Lung, Cao Loc, Loc Binh and Lang Son city all agreed with the report of the Advisory Team as well as the plan to expand the scope of Lang Son Geopark, working together with Lang Son Geopark Management Board to gradually complete the requirements of the task of building a dossier to submit to UNESCO for recognition of Lang Son Geopark as a Global Geopark.

Mrs. Duong Thi Thep, Vice Chairwoman of Bac Son District People's Committee spoke at the meeting

Mr. Duong Xuan Huyen, Standing Chairman Vice of the Provincial People’s Committee spoke at the meeting

          Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Duong Xuan Huyen, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee highly appreciated the recommendations of the Advisory Team and the active participation of Lang Son Geopark Management Board, Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism as well as the People's Committees of districts and the city having closely coordinated and supported the Advisory Team during the survey. He suggested that the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism absorbed the opinions of the Advisory Team, research and advise on the adjustment of the scope and boundaries of Lang Son Geopark; People's Committees of districts and the city to coordinate with Lang Son Geopark Management Board to urgently finalize the report on the addition of tourist attractions to the four proposed sightseeing routes in the Geopark and at the same time consider the infrastructure planning, parking lots, Geopark information centers, panels, descriptions at attractions; build basic and special agreements with Na Duong Coal Mine Company, Ammonite fossil site at Bac Thuy station, Chi Lang district and some other units.

Duong Hung