At the signing ceremony (Photo: VNA) Ha Giang (VNA) – A ceremony was held in thenorthern province of Ha Giang on November 10 to sign a memorandum of understandingon cooperation between UNESCO Global Geopark Dong Van Karst Plateauand aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark Mine-Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau of Japan.
Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’sCommittee Tran Duc Quy said through the cooperation programme, both sideswill assist each other in all aspects, thereby promoting the sustainability ofboth geoparks. He suggested that they should cooperate in investment andsustainable economic development, such as tourism and production of traditionalhandicraft products in which both sides have strengths.
Takahiro Koda, Director of the Mine -Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau, described Japan as one of the top destinations forVietnamese tourists and Vietnam as a preferred destination for Japanese travellers.
Via the programme, the two geoparks will facilitatetourism cooperation activities, exchange of delegations, and promote marketingefforts to attract tourists.
At the signing ceremony, both sides discussedeffective measures to tap the potential advantages and support each other indeveloping sustainable tourism.
They will step up tourism training activitiesaimed at improving the quality of products and services. Dialogues involving universitystudents, interns and student exchanges will be organised. Various culturalexchanges, festivals, events, investment promotion activities, market surveys,and tourist exchanges between the two destinations are also planned.
Dong Van Karst Plateau was recognised byUNESCO as a Global Geopark in 2010, boasting unique cultural, historical,geological values, and majestic landscapes.
The number of visitors to Ha Giang, which wasonly 2,000 in 2010, has increased rapidly, reaching 2.2 million in 2022, and isexpected to exceed 3 million this year.
At the 10th InternationalConference on UNESCO Global Geopark held in Morocco in early September, theDong Van Karst Plateau was continued to be recognised as a UNESCO GlobalGeopark for the third time by the UNESCOGlobal Geopark Council.
On September 6, Ha Giang was honoured to benamed the top emerging destination in Asia at the World Travel Awards./.
