Third Vietnamese geopark wins global status

	Vietnam’s Geo-Park a candidate dossier for UNESCO recognition
	Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark to receive UNESCO status on Nov 24
	Multi-facet values of Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark

Many archaeological, historical and cultural relics as well as scenic spots are recognised and conserved in Dak Nong Geopark. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam has the third geopark recognised as a Global Geopark after the Programme and External Relations Commission of the 209th UNESCO Executive Board on July 7 approved the Global Geoparks Council’s proposal to add Dak Nong Geopark in the list.

Located on the M’Nong plateau at average elevation of 600-700m asl, with the highest point being Ta Dung at 1,982m asl, Dak Nong Geopark - the Land of Sounds - (coordinates N12o17’48”; E107o46’58”) covers an area of c.4,760km2 of the northern districts of Dak Nong province in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, according to UNESCO.

The Geopark can be reached by several routes by land and air, including two international border gates with Cambodia. Characterised by sub-equatorial tropical monsoon and plateau climate, the area features an evenly distributed network of rivers, streams, lakes and reservoirs.

Young volcanic activities about tens of thousands of years ago (Late Pleistocene-Holocene) have resulted in spectacular craters, majestic waterfalls and Southeast Asia’s most extensive system of hundreds of magnificent volcanic caves. (Photo: VNA)

A population of c.416,000 people of 40 ethnic groups, including 3 autochthonous, live in the area, occupied mostly in agro-forestry, trade and services, and small industries.

Many archaeological, historical and cultural relics as well as scenic spots are recognised and conserved. Many festivals and traditions celebrated by ethnic cultures, in particular the UNESCO “Gong Culture Space” intangible heritage (including the man’s oldest lithophone) also contribute to the values of the Geopark.

Young volcanic activities about tens of thousands of years ago (Late Pleistocene-Holocene) have resulted in spectacular craters, majestic waterfalls and Southeast Asia’s most extensive system of hundreds of magnificent volcanic caves. (Photo: VNA)

Dak Nong Geopark is distinctive in terms of geological features and geoheritage value. Being a piece of the Gondwana ancient supercontinent, from about 200-165 Ma ago it was deeply submerged into a passive continent marginal sea, very rich in ammonite and bivalve fossils. This continental margin later, during 145-66 Ma ago became active due to plate collision, with red-bed sediments, eruptive andesite-dacite-rhyolite and intrusive gabbro-diorite-granodiorite-granite rocks. During the last 16.5 Ma, the territory became active again with wide-spread, multi-phase volcanic activities, forming a basalt cover over more than 50% of the Geopark area. These have been the source of some of the world’s largest and top quality bauxite deposits and a number of other minerals (sapphire, semi-precious stones etc.), and especially the fertile soils that have fed generations of local people with many industrial and fruit tree crops. In particular, young volcanic activities about tens of thousands of years ago (Late Pleistocene-Holocene) have resulted in spectacular craters, majestic waterfalls and Southeast Asia’s most extensive system of hundreds of magnificent volcanic caves, many of which have been used by prehistoric people as shelter since at least 6,000-10,000 years ago.

Dak Nong Global Geopark (Photo: VNA)

Following the UNESCO recognition, relevant agencies, including the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and provincial authorities, along with domestic and international scientists will jointly implement plans on environmental protection, natural conservation, and rational use of resources in the park.

They aim to preserve and maximise values of geology, biodiversity, culture, history, as well as national tradition of the geopark.

Before Dak Nong Geopark, Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark in Ha Giang province and Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark in Cao Bang province, both in northern Vietnam, also won the recognition./.

Young volcanic activities about tens of thousands of years ago (Late Pleistocene-Holocene) have resulted in spectacular craters, majestic waterfalls and Southeast Asia’s most extensive system of hundreds of magnificent volcanic caves. (Photo: VNA)

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