Stone Plateau receives Global Geopark title for the third time

On October 28, in Dong Van district, Ha Giang province, the ceremony to receive the title of Member of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network for Dong Van Karst Plateau was held for the third time.

Dong Van Stone Plateau -UNESCO Global Geopark

On October 3, 2010, Dong Van Stone Plateau (Ha Giang) became the first UNESCO Geopark in Vietnam and the second in Southeast Asia.

In 2014 and 2019, UNESCO re-recognized Dong Van Karst Plateau as a member of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network for the 2015-2018 and 2019-2022 periods.

About 300km from Hanoi, Dong Van Stone Plateau has long been an attractive tourist destination, attracting visitors every time they have the opportunity to visit Ha Giang. Dong Van Stone Plateau with its wild, poetic beauty is like a "gray paradise" in the middle of the mountainous region of the beloved Fatherland.

Located at an average altitude of 1,000-1,600m above sea level, Dong Van Stone Plateau spreads across 4 districts of Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Meo Vac and Dong Van of Ha Giang province.

According to the assessment of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network GGN Advisory Council, Dong Van Karst Plateau is one of the special limestone areas, containing typical imprints of the history of the development of the Earth's crust, natural phenomena, unique aesthetic landscapes, high biodiversity and long-standing cultural traditions of the indigenous community.

This Geopark includes 4 districts: Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van and Meo Vac with a total natural area of ​​2,356km2, located in Northern Vietnam with over 70% of the limestone area exposed.

This land is a spectacular and unique combination of soaring peaks and deep canyons in the eastern extension of the Himalayas, with the highest peak - Mac Vac (1,971m) and the deepest canyon - Tu San, which is also the deepest canyon in Southeast Asia, with a cliff depth of up to 700m.

Dating back to the Cambrian period (about 550 million years ago), Dong Van Stone Plateau has gone through 7 different geological periods. Visitors coming here can see with their own eyes the traces left in important paleontological, stratigraphic, geomorphological, tectonic, karst, cave and fault sites.

Not only diverse in paleontology, Dong Van Stone Plateau also has two nature reserves: Du Gia Nature Reserve and Khau Ca Species and Habitat Conservation Area. These two reserves are rich in flora and fauna such as conifers, southern serow (a solitary mountain goat) and many native bird species.

Therefore, this place has a very rich flora and fauna, including 289 species of higher plants, belonging to 83 families; the fauna on limestone mountains with 171 species in 73 families and 24 orders. There are 27 species including 17 species of mammals, 2 species of birds and 8 species of reptiles, which are rare animals listed in the Vietnam Red Book.

The most famous species here is the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey. The Tonkin snub-nosed monkey, also known as the snow-haired langur (Rhinopithecus avunculus) belongs to the family Rhinopithecus avunculus, and is one of five primate species endemic to Vietnam. This animal is also found in the mountains of Asia, southern China, often living in rugged mountainous areas with harsh weather.

This is one of the 25 most endangered primates in the world, classified as the most endangered in the Red Book of threatened animals of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Vietnam. The Tonkin snub-nosed monkey was once considered extinct until its rediscovery in the early 1990s, found only in Ha Giang province with 200 individuals.

Land of cultural diversity

Dong Van Stone Plateau is home to more than 250,000 people from 17 ethnic groups: Mong, Na Chi, Pu Peo, Lo Lo, Nung, Hoa, Giay... of the Vietnamese land. Each ethnic group has its own lifestyle and festival customs, creating a unique and rich cultural heritage of this area with the "Khau Vai Love Market", "Gau Tao" Festival of the Mong people, "Forest God Worshiping" Festival of the Pu Peo people, and the "Ap Sac" Ceremony of the Dao people...

Since Dong Van Stone Plateau was awarded the title of UNESCO Global Geopark, the number of tourists coming here has continuously increased, and the local people have also benefited more from tourism. Up to now, 100% of villages and schools in Dong Van Stone Plateau have been educated about the work of protecting and preserving heritage.

Coming to this land is to visit the land at the head of the Fatherland with Lung Cu flagpole marking the northernmost point of the country, together crossing Ma Pi Leng pass, a dangerous pass 20km long, 1,200m high, located on the road named Happiness, connecting Ha Giang city, Dong Van and Meo Vac town, watching Mong girls weaving at the loom, simple, rustic rammed earth houses, durable, sturdy stone fences...

Coming to Dong Van, coming to this land of “bowing down to the Earth, looking up to touch the Sky”, visitors will not only have extremely rich experiences. Coming here, you will contribute to the development of tourism, bringing to the people and the Global Geopark here a sustainable economic development livelihood, focusing on improving the lives of the people, by exploiting indigenous culture, in harmony with nature.

Spreading and promoting the value of the Stone Plateau

The organization of the Reception of the Certificate of Re-evaluation of the Membership of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network of Dong Van Karst Plateau for the 3rd time and the 9th "Buckwheat Flower" Festival in 2023, aims to honor the unique heritage values, beautiful images of people, spread the beauty of the typical flower of the Karst Plateau; preserve traditional culture, effectively promote the value of the scenic heritage as well as tourism products of Ha Giang province.

This is a cultural and tourism activity that creates a highlight to introduce and promote the province's strengths, typical products such as Shan Tuyet Tea, cultural identity of ethnic communities in the province, natural landscapes and tourism support policies of the province... attracting a large number of tourists to Ha Giang to experience and explore, contributing to promoting the socio-economic development of the province.

According to the Plan of the Organizing Committee of major holidays in Ha Giang province: The opening ceremony will be organized by the People's Committee of Ha Giang province at the Youth Square of Dong Van district and many supporting activities will take place in 4 districts of the Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark, namely Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, Meo Vac and districts and cities in the province.

The program was held on the evening of October 28, including 2 parts: Ceremony and festival. The ceremony announced the title of Member of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network of Dong Van Stone Plateau for the third time.

The festival part is a special art program with the theme: The Stone Plateau in Bloom, elaborately staged by singers, Central artists and actors of the Ha Giang Provincial Art Troupe and artisans.

To celebrate this important event, the People's Committee of Ha Giang province and districts and cities have organized many activities to welcome tourists when coming to Ha Giang such as organizing the Shan Tuyet Tea Festival of Ha Giang province in 2023 and a space to display OCOP products, typical products of the Northeast region held at the Green Park of Ha Giang city; the 5th Ha Giang Open Stone Plateau Tennis Cup held in Ha Giang city; the 5th Ha Giang International Marathon "Running on the Road of Happiness" in 2023 held in Meo Vac district; the 4th Ha Giang province "Tinh Than Da" Adventure Car and Motorcycle Racing in 2023 held in Dong Ha commune, Quan Ba ​​district... Experiential tourism activities include performances, cultural exchanges and traditional folk games of ethnic minorities.

In addition, 4 highland districts will organize activities such as organizing flower planting at key points to serve tourists; organizing folk art activities and experiential activities at the district center; organizing Sup and Kayak boat racing and the Mien River Cup, October 2023.

Chairman of Ha Giang Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Van Son said that in the last months of this year and the following years, Ha Giang province is committed to continuing to preserve, embellish and promote the value of Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark in association with socio-economic development, especially tourism economy, creating livelihoods for people to strive to reduce poverty sustainably.

Ha Giang strives to maintain the title of Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark through re-evaluations. Complete the criteria and recommendations of experts.

Ha Giang strives to develop the Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark into a tourist area with modern, synchronous infrastructure by 2025. By 2030, it will meet the criteria and be recognized as a National Tourist Area.