UNESCO Pledges to Help Vietnam Advertise Dong Van Karst Geopark

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has pledged to support advertisement of Dong Van karst geo-park in Vietnam’s northeastern province of Ha Giang. The organization will support the country in developing, advertising and preserving the park in the context of global geo-park network, an UNESCO representative said at a press conference in Hanoi Mar 15.
Accordingly, the UNESCO will help organize the 2nd Asia-Pacific International Conference on Geo-parks in Hanoi July 16-24 on expectations that it will boost international approach to Dong Van geo-park, the representative said. The event is expected to gather 450 domestic and international experts to discuss measures of boosting tourism and protection for Dong Van plateau. A field trip to the site will be included to bring them an overview about the imposing park which was recognized as one among 77 geological parks of the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) in 2010. The plateau which covers an area of 2,300 square km with 80% of lime stones is home to nearly 20 ethnic groups, with diverse cultures and traditions, making the plateau an interesting destination for visitors. (Econet Mar 16 p4, Cong an Nhan dan – People’s Police Mar 16 p10)