Meeting overview

Ha Giang province’s delegation to the meeting includes Ly Thi Lan, member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Head of the 15th National Assembly Delegation in Ha Giang province; Chung Thi Chien, member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Standing Vice Chairperson of the Provincial People’s Council; members in the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, leaders of departments, agencies, and districts in the Geopark.

On 3 October, 2010, Dong Van Karst Plateau, Ha Giang province was officially recognized by the Advisory Council of the Global Geoparks Network as a member of the network, becoming the 2^nd geopark in Southeast Asia and the 1^st geopark in Vietnam.

Professor Guy Martini, Senior Advisor, Chairman of the Council, Secretary General of the Global Geoparks Network emphasizes Ha Giang’s success in developing Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark for the period of 2018 – 2022. He states that Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark is the most unique place in the world, with global values

At the meeting, the UNESCO Advisory Group mentioned that after 12 years (1 evaluation and 3 re-evaluations) since being officially recognized as a member of the network, the second Geopark in Southeast Asia and the first one in Vietnam in 2010, Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark has achieved some good achievements. However, Dong Van Karst Plateau is currently facing new challenges. It requires the People’s Committee of Ha Giang Province to make rapid and strong decisions in order to ensure conservation quality and sustainable development. It is required to appropriate action plans to solve past problems and forecast future possibilities, take corresponding actions; carry out specific activities, year by year, according to consultants’ guidance and supervision. It is necessary to focus on current matters and forecast possibilities. It is required to pay attention to management apparatus which determines the success of following tasks. At the same time, it is important to focus on human resources of Dong Van Karst Plateau; conservation of heritage sites, traditional culture, tourism, routes and territory of Dong Van Karst Plateau, infrastructure, etc.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Tan Van, Coordinator of Global Geoparks Network

In addition, the advisory group suggested that Ha Giang authorities should support new conservation zoning, issue decisions to ensure legally proper conservation, establish a rapid response system to receive information and prevent conservation violations. The provincial authorities should complete regulations and policies to support construction in the geopark area, ensuring the preservation of traditional architecture and landscape harmony. It is necessary to preserve intangible cultural heritage values by defining cultural values of each ethnic group for conservation in line with propaganda to younger generation.

During the meeting, participants listened to opinions on orientations for geopark conservation and development of of Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources, especially detailed and scientific recommendations and proposals by expert Tran Tan Van in consultation with experiences of geoparks all over the world.

According to Standing Vice Chairperson of the Provincial People’s, Ms. Council Chung Thi Chien and Vice Chairperson of the Provincial People’s Committee, Mr. Tran Duc Quy, Ha Giang province hopes that leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources; consultants, and scientists will facilitate Ha Giang province to maintain the title of Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark and sustainable development.

In addition, participants also discussed organizational apparatus, human resources; geopark conservation and development; scientific research, public education and climate change; communication of geopark and promoting international cooperation, expert network and reparing for the 4th re-evaluation in 2026.

Mr. Nguyen Van Son, Chairperson of the Provincial People’s Committee gives closing speech.

To end the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Van Son, Chairperson of the Provincial People’s Committee, suggested that ministries, departments and central agencies should continuously support Ha Giang to maintain and develop values of the geopark, especially tasks of development of a legal corridor for geoparks, conservation knowledge and techniques, promotion and training, tourist site operation, cultural diplomacy, and orientation of finding investment for tourism infrastructure.

It is suggested that consultants should continuously accompany and support Ha Giang authorities in profession, techniques and external matters with the Global Geoparks Network to conserve and develop geopark values. Ha Giang authorities commit to direct the implementation of reasonable scientific consultancy to ensure that Dong Van Geopark, will develop sustainably, meeting the membership criteria of the Global Geoparks Network.

Provincial departments are required to receive opinions of experts and state agencies, direct effectively to implement tasks for the period of 2023 - 2027, develop the geopark sustainably; maintain the title of Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark and plan to build Dong Van Karst Plateau National Tourist Area in 2030. 

People’s Committees of districts in the geopark, area must manage, conserve and promote geopark values actively and coordinate the four districts for conservation and development.

It is required to propagandize preservation of cultural identity, develop tourism based on cultural heritage, create jobs, reduce poverty and contribute to develop Ha Giang strongly, and maintain the northern border area.

Enterprises and media should coordinate with commune and district authorities, provincial management agencies to develop a cultural and tourism environment in a healthy and impressive geopark area.

Mr. Nguyen Van Son, Chairperson of the Provincial People’s Committee, awards merits to groups.

Mr. Tran Duc Quy, Vice Chairperson of the Provincial People’s Committee awards the Merit from the Chairperson of the Provincial People’s Committee to individuals.

Leader of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism awards merits to individuals.

Many units and individuals received merits from the Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee for their excellent achievements in management, conservation and development of Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark; and merits from the Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism for their achievements in involvement in the re-evaluation of Dong Van Karst Plateau during the period of 2018-2022.