UNESCO Global Geoparks Network Experts Work with Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee in Preparation for Revalidation of UNESCO Global Geopark in 2025
Tuesday - 03/06/2025 14:46
On the morning of May 21, 2025, a delegation of experts from the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, led by Mr. Guy Martini – Senior Advisor and Secretary-General of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council – held a working session with the Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee to discuss key preparations for the second revalidation of the UNESCO Global Geopark . Also in attendance were Associate Professor Dr. Tran Tan Van, member of the Advisory Council of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network for the Asia–Pacific region and former Director of the Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources; and Ms. Do Thi Yen Ngoc, former Director of the Karst and Geohazard Center under the same institute.
Attending the working session with the expert delegation were Mr. Trịnh Trường Huy, Provincial Party Committee Member and Vice Chairman of the Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee; along with leaders of provincial departments, agencies, and representatives from districts located along the four heritage routes of the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark.
Overview of the working session.
At the working session, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism reported the development and management of the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark, the province’s preparations for the second revalidation of its UNESCO Global Geopark , and the progress made in addressing the recommendations provided by UNESCO experts following the first revalidation in 2022.
According to the report, the province has effectively preserved geological heritage values, environmental resources, ecosystems, biodiversity, and indigenous cultures. It has also invested in upgrading infrastructure along the geopark’s experiential tourism routes. Advisory and support activities aimed at promoting sustainable tourism at heritage sites and traditional craft villages have been implemented in a coordinated manner, yielding positive outcomes.
In parallel, geopark education in schools has been actively promoted through close collaboration between the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism (the Geopark Management Board) and the Department of Education and Training, particularly through the “Geopark Ambassador” club.
In addition, international cooperation activities and close coordination with the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network have been actively promoted by the Standing Agency. Notably, the successful organization of the 8th Asia–Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium region in Cao Bang significantly reaffirmed Vietnam’s proactive and responsible role as a member of the United Nations.
The event also strengthened the strong, positive partnership between Vietnam and UNESCO, while expanding relationships with countries across the region and beyond. It served as an important opportunity to promote the image of Vietnam—its people, natural beauty, and development potential in general—and to highlight the unique cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality of Cao Bang in particular.
Ms. Nong Thi Tuyen, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism reported on the construction and development of Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark.
Based on the report presented by the Provincial People’s Committee and the results of the field survey and assessment, the expert delegation acknowledged Cao Bang’s strong efforts in implementing the recommendations provided by UNESCO experts in the operation of the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark. The province’s effective fulfillment of these recommendations lays a solid foundation for the upcoming revalidation process, helping to maintain the UNESCO Global Geopark status in June 2025.
In particular, the delegation highly praised the contest titled “Preserving the Tày and Nùng Languages for Secondary and High School Students in the Geopark Region”, recognizing it as a practical and impactful initiative. The experts recommended that this model be expanded and promoted as a best practice for other localities and geoparks to adopt and implement.
According to the expert delegation, the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark is entering a new phase of development, with strong potential to welcome a significant increase in tourist arrivals in the near future. While this presents valuable opportunities, it also poses considerable challenges in terms of conservation and sustainable development.
The delegation recommended that Cao Bang Province develop a specific action plan for the 2026–2030 period. Key priorities should include delineating and protecting heritage zones, reviewing and adjusting the conservation boundaries of heritage sites, and studying the feasibility of introducing a geopark entrance fee to support infrastructure reinvestment and heritage preservation.
Additionally, the delegation emphasized the importance of expanding public awareness campaigns—particularly in areas such as climate change, geological disaster prevention, and the preservation of indigenous languages. Based on the field survey, the delegation proposed several solutions to enhance the effectiveness of disaster risk reduction and geological hazard prevention, thereby contributing to the comprehensive protection and promotion of heritage values.
The experts also recommended that the province place greater emphasis on administrative reform and restructuring the Geopark Management Board toward a leaner, more efficient model that aligns with the demands of the geopark’s new phase of development.
Furthermore, the delegation expressed hope that Cao Bang will become a trusted hub for organizing training courses and sharing best practices with both domestic and international partners. This would help to widely promote the image of Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark on the global geological map.
Mr. Trinh Truong Huy, Provincial Party Committee member, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee spoke at the working session
Speaking at the working session, Mr. Trịnh Trường Huy, Vice Chairman of the Cao Bang Provincial People’s Committee, expressed his hope that the UNESCO expert delegation would continue to support the province in building upon its achievements and effectively leveraging the UNESCO Global Geopark designation. He emphasized Cao Bang’s commitment to successfully maintaining the Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark status during the upcoming revalidation.
He also expressed the province’s desire for continued collaboration with the experts, including further recommendations and in-depth technical advice to promote the geopark’s sustainable development, play a vital role in improving local livelihoods, creating job opportunities, and enhancing the overall brand value of the geopark .
Vice Chairman of the Cao Bang Provincial People’s Committee emphasized that the current two-tier local government model presents both opportunities and challenges for the management and development of the Geopark. This is a complex issue that requires comprehensive evaluation, clear identification of existing difficulties and potentials, and the development of practical, well-adapted governance solutions.One of the province’s strategic directions in the coming period is to accelerate the application of technology and promote comprehensive digital transformation, focusing on three key pillars: Digital Government – Digital Economy – Digital Society. These efforts aim to improve the effectiveness of governance, operations, and the sustainable development of the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark.
Cao Bang also proposed that the expert delegation share additional models of effective geopark management and practical experiences from other regions—both domestic and international—so that the province can study and adapt them to its local context. This, in turn, will help enhance the quality of conservation work and further promote the heritage values within the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark.
UNESCO Global Geopark Network expert delegation worked with the Provincial People's Committee.
Earlier, from May 18 to 20, the delegation of experts from the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network conducted field surveys and assessments across various experiential tourism routes. The evaluation focused on a detailed inspection of heritage site clusters, infrastructure systems, and facilities at the geopark sites, as well as the ongoing efforts in heritage preservation and promotion in the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark region.
Cao Bang Geopark
