Cao Bang (VNA) – A group of experts from theUNESCO led by Artur Sá, UNESCO senior expert and Chairman of the European GlobalGeopark Network, had a meeting with leaders of the northern province of CaoBang on August 17 on the re-verification of the title of the Non Nuoc Cao BangGlobal Geopark.

The team collected documents about and made field studies of Non Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark, and gave a number of recommendations tothe locality on measures to further develop the site.

They advised the province to strengthen educational activities onthe geopark, particularly among students, mobilise the community’s engagement in developing the site, add explanations about the park in local ethnic languages on information boards erected in the park, and pay greaterattention to the protection of biodiversity in the area.

They also asked for Cao Bang’s coordination in preparing documents to apply for hosting the Asia-Pacific Geopark Network Symposium in2024.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Le HaiHoa said that recommendations given by the team are helpful for the province inpreserving and developing the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark.

He expressed hope that the UNESCOexperts will help call for more foreign investment in Cao Bang, so that localresidents can benefit from the park.

Hoa also revealed the province’s plans to lure investmentfrom the outside, create livelihoods for locals, and promote community-basedtourism.

Earlier, the UNESCO working group made field trips to districtsin the east, north and west of Cao Bang.

Located in the north of Vietnam, 300km from Hanoi, Non NuocCao Bang has been recognised as a UNESCO globalgeopark, becoming the second of its kind in Vietnam.

Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark covers 3,000sq.km. It covers sixdistricts of Ha Quang, Tra Linh, Quang Yen, Trung Khanh, Ha Lang, Phuc Hoa, andpart of Hoa An, Nguyen Binh and Thach An districts. The geopark is home to nineethnic groups including Tay, Nung, Mong, Dao and San Chay.

The geopark is an exceptional territory which offers insights into the historyof our planet across more than 500 million years through protected sites.Fossils, marine sediment, volcanic and plutonic rocks and minerals are witnessto the remarkable evolution and changes of our planet, and they constitute anexceptional geological heritage.

It is also a land of tangible and intangible cultural heritage sites andspecial historical monuments. The area is also well-known for its highbiological diversity with abundant endemic plant and animal species andecosystems.

There are three main routes to explore the geopark, including going to the eastto experience traditional cultures, north to see history and freedom, and westto experience Phia Oac, the mountain of transformations./.