UNESCO World Geoparks are natural areas of special geological interest to which UNESCO grants recognition by including them in an international network. Officially established in 2015, the UNESCO World Geoparks programme has been enriched with new territories over time. Vietnam has three geoparks registered in the UNESCO Global Geoparks initiative whose interest is not only geological, but also archaeological, naturalistic and cultural-historical. In this article, we show you what geoparks in Vietnam are and what their spectacular features are.
Dak Nong Geopark
Among Vietnam’s geoparks, this is the most recently established. Located in Dak Nong Province in the central highlands of Vietnam, the geopark has a past dating back 200-165 million years, when the area was part of the ancient supercontinent of Gondwana. Geologically more recent volcanic activity (i.e. tens of thousands of years ago) has endowed it with spectacular craters and majestic waterfalls. The area includes the largest system of hundreds of magnificent volcanic caves in South-East Asia.
With its almost forty islets emerging from the calm water, Lake Ta Dung is nicknamed the ‘Ha Long Bay of the Central Highlands’.
The waterfalls of Lieng Nung, D’ray Sap, Trinh Nu and Gia Long are majestic and spectacular, as are the Ta Dung and Yok Don National Parks.
Dak Nong was originally inhabited by three indigenous peoples, namely the M’Nong, Ma and Ede. Following an influx of other minorities in the late 1970s, the area has now become home to more than 40 ethnic groups and hosts a rich cultural diversity.
Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark
The Dong Van Geopark is located in Ha Giang, a mountainous province in the far north of Vietnam. Most of its surface is limestone and its landscape is spectacular and unique with high mountains and deep canyons. The highest peak is Mount Mieu Vac (1971 metres) and the deepest canyon is Tu San (700-800 metres).
Dating back to the Cambrian period, the Dong Van Plateau has passed through seven different geological periods. Traces left behind in palaeontology, stratigraphy and geomorphology are still visible.
The Dong Van Geopark has two protected natural areas. These are rich in flora and fauna species such as conifers, the Asiatic black bear, the southern capricorn (a solitary mountain goat) and numerous bird species.
In addition, the Geopark is the only place where the Tonkin camel-nosed monkey lives. This is one of the most endangered primate species in the world. Thought to be extinct, it was rediscovered in the early 1990s.
The Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark is home to 17 ethnic groups in Vietnam, including the Mong, Dao, Tay, Lo Lo and Nung. All are actively involved in heritage conservation.
Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark
Located in the northern and eastern districts of Cao Bang, a province in north-east Vietnam, the Non nuoc Cao Bang Geopark covers a total area of 3,000 square kilometres. There are five river systems and forty-seven lakes in the area.
The Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark is associated with Vietnam’s history and culture through the presence of more than 215 monuments. In addition, the area includes a number of tourist sites such as the majestic Ban Gioc waterfalls, which trace an incredible natural boundary between Vietnam and China.
Other tourist sites include Pac Bo Cave, Le Nin Stream, Thang Hen Lake, Nguom Ngao Cave, and Phia Oac – Phia Den National Park.
Historically, the area was home to prehistoric peoples over 20,000 years ago and was the political centre of several feudal dynasties. In current history, it has become the cradle of the Vietnam Revolution.
Today, about 250,000 people live in the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark, divided into nine different ethnic groups. The area is famous for the people’s cultural traditions, including festivals, handicrafts and folk arts.
