Cao Bang (VNA) – The northern mountainous provinceof Cao Bang has fulfilled half of the requirements for infrastructureconstruction at the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark by the United NationsOrganisation for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO), experts said onAugust 9.

At a working session with representatives of the provincialPeople’s Committee, UNESCO experts said Cao Bang has launched three tours inthe geopark and paid attention to ensuring safety for tourists, while steppingup the information work in order to promote the image of the tourist site.

However, they said, there remain limitations regarding thequality of notice boards, parking lots and management work.

Given this, they suggested the province plant more noticeboards to attract holiday-makers, and the provincial People’s Committee and thegeopark’s management board closely coordinate with localities and residents inthe management work.

The management board should be authorised to handle specificviolations, they said, stressing the need to develop a staff of professionaltour guides at the geopark.

Cao Bang authorities called on UNESCO to soon set forth amaster and detailed plan to deal with shortcomings in the development andprotection of the geopark, and suggested UNESCO experts to help with measuresto protect open-air fossils and promote values of heritage at the park.

Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark wasrecognised as a global geopark by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council in Parison April 12.

This is the second UNESCO-recognised GlobalGeopark in Vietnam after Dong Van Karst Plateau in the northern mountainousprovince of Ha Giang, which was recognised in 2010.

Non Nuoc Cao Bang is about 300km from Hanoicapital city. It covers more than 3,000 sq.km. in the districts of Ha Quang,Tra Linh, Quang Uyen, Trung Khanh, Ha Lang and Phuc Hoa and part of Hoa An,Nguyen Binh and Thach An districts. 

The geopark is home to fossils,ocean sediment, volcanic rocks, minerals, and especially karst landscapes,which can give researchers an insight into an over-500-million-year history ofthe Earth. It is also well known for rich biodiversity and many indigenousfauna and flora species.

Aside from natural values, italso contains a number of tangible and intangible cultural heritage,particularly revolutionary relic sites such as special national relic site ofPac Bo, where Nguyen Ai Quoc or President Ho Chi Minh returned to Vietnam in1941 to lead the domestic revolution after spending over 30 years in othercountries to seek ways to save the country.

The geopark is also home to special nationalrelic site of Tran Hung Dao Forest, where then General Vo Nguyen Giap in 1944established the Vietnam Propaganda and Liberation Army, the predecessor of theVietnam People’s Army today.-VNA