Non Nuoc Cao Bang in Vietnam received the global geopark status from the UNESCO at a ceremony held in the northern border province of Cao Bang on November 24.
Non Nuoc Cao Bang, an area covering more than 3,000 sq km, is about 300 km from Vietnam’s capital city, Hanoi. It is home to approximately 250,000 people, 92% of which belong to one of nine ethnic groups.
The geopark is home to fossils, ocean sediment, volcanic rocks, minerals, and especially karst landscapes, which can give researchers an insight into an over-500-million-year history of the Earth. It is also well known for rich biodiversity and many indigenous fauna and flora species.
Regarded as a ‘Holy Land’, it has been home to prehistoric people more than 20,000 years ago and used to be the capital of some feudal dynasties. In present history, it has become the cradle of Vietnam’s revolution.
At the event, the province announced the historical relic site of 1950 Border Victory in Thach An district as a special national relic site. The border campaign was the first large-scale battle of the Vietnam People’s Army against the French army during the war. As the first and only campaign that saw President Ho Chi Minh on the front line, its victory marked a turning point leading to the final victory of Vietnam in its past struggle against France.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc stressed the importance of the UNESCO recognition, saying it means Vietnam has another national trademark in terms of landscape and geology at international level.
He recommended Cao Bang to build up a tourism development model that should combine cultural and historical values, patriotism, natural landscapes, and cuisine, among others, thus creating diversity and identity.
The PM emphasised the need for Cao Bang to take innovative measures to turn heritage preservation and promotion into a livelihood, helping local residents have better living standard.
It is the second UNESCO-recognised Global Geopark in Vietnam after Dong Van Karst Plateau, which was accredited in 2010. The park is also the eight of its kind in Southeast Asia to receive the status.
Source: VNA / UNESCO
Photo: UNESCO/Pham Ngac Khoa