Lang Son receives UNESCO Global Geopark title

Attending the ceremony were Mr. Jonathan Wallace Baker – Chief Representative of UNESCO in Vietnam; Mr. Ngo Le Van – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Committee for Foreign Non-Governmental Organization Affairs; and Mr. Hoang Van Nghiem – Secretary of the Lang Son Provincial Party Committee and Head of the Provincial Delegation of the National Assembly.

The Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark covers an area of nearly 5,000 square kilometers, featuring over 100 outstanding geological, cultural, and archaeological heritage sites. Beyond its geological value, the geopark is also a convergence of traditional cultural values, revolutionary history, majestic natural landscapes, and, notably, rich and diverse indigenous cultures with unique historical and geological characteristics.

With its outstanding international values in geology, culture, and landscape, the Lang Son Geopark was recognized by the Global Geoparks Council as a Global Geopark in September 2024 and officially designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark on April 17, 2025.

Mr. Ho Tien Thieu, Chairman of the Lang Son Provincial People’s Committee, emphasized that the recent achievement represents not only the collective effort and unwavering determination but also a profound honor and pride for the entire Party Committee, government authorities, and people of Lang Son province in their continuous journey towards securing an esteemed international recognition. This accomplishment marks a significant milestone, opening up new opportunities for Lang Son to fully harness its abundant natural potential and strategic advantages.

It will play a pivotal role in advancing sustainable tourism development, thereby making a substantial contribution to the province’s socio-economic growth. Furthermore, this achievement sets a strong foundation for Lang Son to emerge as one of the key growth poles and an economic hub in the Northern midland and mountainous region of Vietnam.

"Fully aware of the responsibility to preserve and promote the recognized heritage values, Lang Son province is committed to implementing comprehensive and sustainable solutions for the development of the Lang Son Geopark. We view this not merely as a title, but as a long-term process of action that requires the active engagement of the entire political system, the consensus of the people, and strong, effective international cooperation," Mr. Thieu affirmed.

Mr. Ngo Le Van, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated that the Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark stands as a clear testament to the efforts in preserving and promoting Vietnam's cultural heritage in general, and that of Lang Son province in particular. He pointed out that capitalizing on this prestigious title, along with intangible cultural heritages, such as the Mother Worship belief and the traditional Then singing practiced by the Tay and Nung ethnic groups, holds immense potential to foster sustainable tourism development. Such progress will also turn tourism into a key economic sector for the province, creating new pathways for economic growth and cultural vitality.

Lang Son provincial leaders affirmed that in the coming time, the province will continue to review and finalize the planning for the conservation and sustainable development of the geopark area. This includes improving transport infrastructure to better connect heritage sites, ensuring favorable conditions for tourists and researchers to access the region.

At the same time, efforts will be made to enhance research, surveys, digitization, and systematization of geological, cultural, and ecological values, with the goal of building a comprehensive database to support conservation and promotion. The province also plans to develop unique tourism products rooted in local identity, integrating geological, cultural, historical, and culinary values.

Lang Son is committed to fully complying with UNESCO’s criteria, ensuring that the management, conservation, and development of the geopark align with principles of sustainable, inclusive, and community-responsible development. A monitoring and evaluation mechanism will be established to regularly assess the implementation of UNESCO criteria and adjust policies in a timely and appropriate manner.

In addition, the province will strengthen both international and domestic cooperation, drawing lessons from successful global geopark models. It will also develop supportive mechanisms and policies to encourage the proactive and active participation of the business community and social organizations.