Vietnamese, Japanese geoparks sign MoU on cooperation
Ha Giang (VNA) – A ceremony was held in the
northern province of Ha Giang on November 10 to sign a memorandum of understanding
on cooperation between UNESCO Global Geopark Dong Van Karst Plateau
and aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark Mine-Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau of Japan.
Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s
Committee Tran Duc Quy said through the cooperation programme, both sides
will assist each other in all aspects, thereby promoting the sustainability of
both geoparks. He suggested that they should cooperate in investment and
sustainable economic development, such as tourism and production of traditional
handicraft products in which both sides have strengths.
Takahiro Koda, Director of the Mine -
Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau, described Japan as one of the top destinations for
Vietnamese tourists and Vietnam as a preferred destination for Japanese travellers.
Via the programme, the two geoparks will facilitate
tourism cooperation activities, exchange of delegations, and promote marketing
efforts to attract tourists.
At the signing ceremony, both sides discussed
effective measures to tap the potential advantages and support each other in
developing sustainable tourism.
They will step up tourism training activities
aimed at improving the quality of products and services. Dialogues involving university
students, interns and student exchanges will be organised. Various cultural
exchanges, festivals, events, investment promotion activities, market surveys,
and tourist exchanges between the two destinations are also planned.
Dong Van Karst Plateau was recognised by
UNESCO as a Global Geopark in 2010, boasting unique cultural, historical,
geological values, and majestic landscapes.
The number of visitors to Ha Giang, which was
only 2,000 in 2010, has increased rapidly, reaching 2.2 million in 2022, and is
expected to exceed 3 million this year.
At the 10th International
Conference on UNESCO Global Geopark held in Morocco in early September, the
Dong Van Karst Plateau was continued to be recognised as a UNESCO Global
Geopark for the third time by the UNESCO
Global Geopark Council.
On September 6, Ha Giang was honoured to be
named the top emerging destination in Asia at the World Travel Awards./.