UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, has once again recognized the rocky plateau of Dong Van, in Vietnam, as a World Geopark.
“In the past 13 years, thanks to the attention and support of the Party, State, Government, Ministries, sectors and the UNESCO Geoparks Network, Ha Giang Province has made efforts to preserve and develop the value of geological and cultural heritage, while developing sustainable tourism and improving the lives of ethnic groups there,” emphasized the president of the People’s Committee of the province, Nguyen Van Son.
The plateau has a height of 1,000 to 1,600 meters above sea level with an area of ​​2,356 square kilometers and crosses the districts of Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Meo Vac and Dong Van.
80 percent of this area is made up of limestone dating back hundreds of millions of years with traces linked to the history of the development of the Earth’s crust.
To complete the journey from Quan Ba​​​​to Dong Van, two points at each end of the north of the country, visitors cross 100 kilometers of roads that pass through attractive places such as Quan Ba​​​​ Heaven Gate and Co Tien Mountain.
In addition to the national relic of the Vuong kingdom and the national flagpole of Lung Cu, there you can see the beautiful scenery hidden in the clouds surrounding the mountains or hidden behind the Chinese fir trees with leaves that coming into the light of day.
Along with its geological values, this area is home to many ethnic groups, such as Mong, Dao, Tay, Nung, Lo Lo and Pu Peo, who carry their original cultural heritage.
On October 3, 2010, Dong Van Plateau was recognized by UNESCO as an official member of the Global Geoparks Network (GGN), becoming the first geological park in Vietnam, and the second in Southeast Asia.
In 2014 and 2019, the UN body recognized Dong Van again as a member of the UN body for the periods of 2015-2018 and 2019-2022.
