Hanoi (VNA) - Spanning eight districts and cities, including Bac Son, Chi Lang, Huu Lung, Loc Binh, Van Quan, and Lang Son City (as well as parts of Binh Gia and Cao Loc Districts), Lang Son Geopark covers an area of over 4,800 square kilometres, with a population of nearly 627,000 people. This represents around 58% of the province’s area and 78% of its population.
The Huu Lien Nature Reserve, covering 8,293.4 hectares, has recorded 794 species of vascular plants belonging to 162 families, with 31 species listed in Vietnam’s Red Data Book. Additionally, it is home to 57 mammal species, 23 reptile species, and 14 amphibian species.
The karstification process, combined with topographical, climatic, hydrological, and other conditions, has created a stunning system of massive limestone caves in Lang Son Geopark. These caves contain numerous stalactites in various forms, most of which remain well-preserved.
Lang Son Geopark was officially established by the Lang Son Provincial People's Committee in 2021. It includes 38 attractions across four tourism routes.
Decades of research and fieldwork by domestic and international scientists have affirmed that Lang Son province possesses globally significant values capable of supporting the development of a UNESCO Global Geopark.
On 8 September, during the 8th International Conference of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network in Cao Bang province (Vietnam), the UNESCO Global Geopark Council convened to evaluate and vote on recognising Lang Son Geopark as a UNESCO Global Geopark.
This recognition is expected to provide Lang Son Province with greater momentum and opportunities to channel resources into enhancing the management, conservation, and promotion of its geological, cultural, historical, archaeological, and biodiversity heritage, as well as its unique natural landscapes.
Lang Son Geopark is set to receive the UNESCO Global Geopark Certificate in 2025 at a ceremony in Chile.
As part of efforts to unlock the tourism potential of Lang Son Geopark, from 5 to 6 November, the Lang Son Geopark Management Board, in collaboration with Vietnam Expeditions Joint Stock Company—a member of the National Speleological Society of America—organised a survey and assessment mission to develop plans for cave tourism in the area.
The programme included field surveys of the Toi Cave and the Khuon Bong Cave (Bac Son District), as well as Nuoc Cave (Huu Lung District).
At these locations, the delegation examined several access routes to the potential cave tourism sites in Bac Son and Huu Lung districts. Additionally, they identified scenic and cultural highlights connected to the caves, capturing images and creating promotional video clips for tourism marketing purposes.
Earlier, in Lang Son City, the Lang Son Geopark Management Board briefed representatives of the Vietnam Expeditions Joint Stock Company about the history and development of Lang Son Geopark, its tourism routes, and the potential of its caves as attractive destinations for both domestic and international visitors. They also discussed the need for collaboration with experts to further develop cave tourism in the area./.
