Lang Son Geopark of Vietnam has been officially recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council.

Bac Son Valley in the Lang Son Geopark area. (Photo: UNESCO Global Geoparks)

The decision was made following a vote on September 8 by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council, according to the Lang Son provincial administration.

A delegation of experts from UNESCO made a field trip to Lang Son in July 2024 for on-site assessment of the dossier seeking the organisation's recognition of Lang Son Geopark as a global one. They visited 26 out of the 38 attractions across four tourism routes of the Geopark.

To provide the most accurate evaluation, the Global Geoparks Council carefully assessed Lang Son Geopark’s geological features, conservation efforts, and local engagement before granting it UNESCO Global Geopark status.

Local authorities said the recognition of the site helps Lang Son focus its resources on managing, preserving, and promoting the value of its geological heritage, cultural heritage, historical and archaeological sites, biodiversity, as well as its unique scenic landscapes.

It is anticipated that Lang Son Geopark will receive its UNESCO Global Geopark designation in Chile next year.

Covering 4,842 sq.km across eight district-level localities, Lang Son Geopark is one of the largest of its kind in Vietnam and boasts a number of unique values.

In terms of geology, geomorphology and landscape, it is home to a rich diversity of palaeobiological fossils dating back as far as 500 million years, many of which indicate this province used to be under the sea in the past. Moreover, this park is endowed with many renowned landscapes such as the low mountain ranges surrounding valleys and villages in Yen Thinh Commune of Huu Lung District, or the caves like Tham Khuyen in Binh Gia District that accommodated prehistoric humans.

Regarding cultural values, it houses a number of temples dedicated to the gods in the worship of Mother Goddesses – an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, especially Bac Le Temple, as well as villages of Tay and Nung ethnic groups with distinctive cultures.

The locality has initially developed four routes comprising 38 tourist attractions within the geopark. Local authorities are taking various measures for improving public awareness of the park’s values as well as protecting and making use of its values for tourism development.