The UNESCO Global Geoparks Council unanimously awarded a Green Card, the highest rating under its periodic revalidation process, to the Dong Van Karst Plateau in Tuyen Quang province on November 3.
The decision means the council has recommended extending the UNESCO Global Geopark status for another four years. The plateau has passed the revalidation process for the fourth consecutive time.
The decision was made at the 11th session of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council, held from November 2-4. It reflects international recognition of Vietnam's efforts to preserve its geological, natural and cultural heritage while linking conservation with sustainable tourism development and improved livelihoods for local residents.
Speaking at the session, Ambassador Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to UNESCO, welcomed the unanimous support from council members. She said the result reflects sustained efforts by local authorities, relevant sectors and communities to preserve and promote the heritage values of the Dong Van Karst Plateau, advance sustainable tourism, create livelihoods and generate jobs, particularly for ethnic minority communities.
The ambassador said the recommendation to renew the designation confirms the achievements made so far and recognises the locality's commitment to linking heritage conservation with sustainable development. She added that the result would help improve the profile, standing and international competitiveness of tourism in Tuyen Quang province and strengthen its position on Vietnam's tourism map.
Sophie Justice, Chair of the 11th session of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council and Director of the Chablais UNESCO Global Geopark in France, said the council had noted significant progress made by geoparks in Vietnam in recent years.
Regarding the Dong Van Karst Plateau, she praised the quality of heritage management, conservation and promotion, particularly local community engagement and attention to linguistic diversity and indigenous cultural elements. She said these factors gave the plateau's dossier its distinctive character and persuasive strength. She recommended that the locality maintain its efforts in education, sustainable development, tourism and heritage management, as these are long-term tasks requiring continued involvement from authorities at all levels and local communities.
Sarah Gamble, a member of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council, shared this view. She said the Dong Van Karst Plateau has outstanding landscapes and a dedicated, effective management team. She was particularly impressed by efforts to engage local residents, support communities in developing livelihoods, improve skills and expand business activities.
Gamble said Vietnam should continue strengthening its links with the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network and promoting cooperation with the National Commission for UNESCO, universities and regional partners. She said active participation in international forums and conferences to present its model and share practical experience would help the Dong Van Karst Plateau further improve its management and make greater contributions to the global network.
From a technical perspective, Dr. Trinh Hai Son, Director of the Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources and Chairman of the Vietnam Subcommittee for UNESCO Global Geoparks, said the fourth consecutive renewal recommendation was significant for the locality, particularly because it would provide further momentum for economic development and improved living standards on the Dong Van Karst Plateau.
According to Dr. Son, Vietnam has fulfilled three of the five recommendations made during the previous revalidation, while work on the remaining two was ongoing. Vietnam is committed to completing these tasks and seriously implementing the council's new recommendations. Positive results noted in the assessment included the development of indigenous communities, improvements in infrastructure, promotion of traditional culture and implementation of the One Commune, One Product (OCOP) programme.
Kristof Vandenberghe, head of UNESCO's Earth Sciences and Geoparks Section, described the Dong Van Karst Plateau as an outstanding example of a balanced approach to nature conservation and socio-economic development. He said the UNESCO Global Geoparks Programme aimed to protect natural values while enabling local communities to participate in development activities and benefit directly from them.
"The Dong Van Karst Plateau is a very outstanding example of local people being fully committed to the geopark. The community understands the importance of conservation, takes the initiative in protecting these values and feels proud of them," Vandenberghe stressed. He said this was one of the key reasons why the geopark had been recommended for a further four-year extension of its status.
According to UNESCO representatives, the value of the Global Geoparks Network lies not only in connecting recognised sites but also in sharing experience, addressing common challenges and replicating effective models. The Dong Van Karst Plateau should therefore take a more proactive role in exchanging experience with other geoparks, presenting good practices and strengthening international cooperation.
Sources: VietnamPlus / Vietnam News Agency
