Introducing the “UNESCO Global geoparks” stamp set

 

UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical-administrative areas, containing a collection of international geological and landscape heritages with the values of science, education, and sustainable development, along with other values of biodiversity, archeology, history, culture, and society with an adequate area to develop the local economy through the tourism development and other services recognized by UNESCO.
In order to introduce the exceptional values of the UNESCO global geoparks in Vietnam, the Ministry of Information and Communications issued the stamp set of “UNESCO global geoparks” with 03 stamp models and 1 block.
Model 3 - 1 "Dong Van Karst Plateau UGGp": Recognized as a UNESCO global geopark on October 3^rd, 2010, the park is located in the mountainous region of Vietnam’s far northeast, with an area of 2,356.8 km² and the average altitude of 1,400 - 1,600 m.

The plateau has many karst landforms located close to the Tropic of Cancer, with rather steep slope, sharply divided canyons, rivers, streams; it is an exceptional limestone region, representing the history of the Earth’s crust, natural phenomena, unique landscapes, high biodiversity and long traditional culture of indigenous communities.

Model 3-2: “Non nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO global geopark”:
Non nuoc Cao Bang was designated as a global geopark by UNESCO on April 12^th, 2018, covering an area of more than 3,275 square km. Located in North Vietnam, in Cao Bang province, the geopark includes the districts of Ha Quang, Tra Linh, Quang Uyen, Trung Khanh, Ha Lang, Phuc Hoa and part of Hoa An, Nguyen Binh and Thach An districts. It is home to more than 250,000 people belonging to different ethnic groups of Vietnam such as Tay, Nung, H'Mong, Kinh, Dao (figures in 2018).
In addition, Non nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark is also a land of many tangible and intangible cultural heritage with more than 215 cultural, historical heritage ranked at different levels, especially historical revolutionary monuments, of which there are three Special National Monuments: Pac Bo, Tran Hung Dao Forest, and the Border Campaign Victory 1950 Special National monument in Thach An.
The geopark is considered one of the earliest areas in Vietnam occupied by prehistoric people, the ancient capital of several feudal dynasties and especially the cradle of the Vietnamese Revolution in the Resistance War against France.

Model 3-3: “Dak Nong UNESCO global geopark”:
Recognized by UNESCO on July 7^th, 2020, the geopark covers an area of 4,760 km² with 5 districts: Krong No, Cu Jut, Dak Mil, Dak Song, Dak Glong and Gia Nghia city in Dak Nong province. The geopark consists of 65 geological and geomorphological heritage sites, including a system of nearly 50 caves with a total length of more than 10,000 meters, craters, waterfalls…

Dak Nong Geopark is known as a rich red land with a tropical forest ecosystem possessing typical values of biodiversity and many unique cultural, geological, and natural features as well as relics of the prehistoric man. Lava from volcanic eruptions covered half of the area of this land, forming a rich and fertile red basalt land. Until 10,000 years aog, volcanoes were still active in this area, creating the most unique and majestic volcanic cave system in Southeast Asia. Especially, relics of prehistoric man’s inhabitation dating back tens of thousands of years were found in these caves.
The block introducing the majestic scenery of Dong Van Karst plateau (Ma Pi Leng Pass, Tu San Canyon, Nho Que River)
The stamp set is 46x31mm, the block is 120x80mm, designed by Nguyen Du, an artist (Vietnam Post), and available on the postal network from October 30^th, 2021 to June 30^th, 2023.
The images on stamp sets and block were provided by the group of authors Ngo Huy Hoa, Nguyen Son Tung and Tran An, and granted to be used on postage stamps through the Management Boards of UNESCO Global Geoparks in Vietnam.
* Before this, the Ministry of Information and Communications  issued stamp sets on natural landscapes of Vietnam recognized as the World natural heritage by UNESCO including: Phong Nha – Ke Bang (the World natural heritage), Trang An landscapes complex– the World cultural and natural heritage.