Hanoi (VNA) – The Programme and External Relations Commission of the 209thUNESCO Executive Board on July 7 approved the Global Geoparks Council’sproposal to recognise Vietnam’s Dak Nong Geopark as a Global Geopark, the thirdof its kind in the country.

Locatedon the M’Nong plateau at average elevation of 600-700m asl, with the highestpoint 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 thenorthern districts of Dak Nong province in Vietnam’s Central Highlands,according to UNESCO.

TheGeopark can be reached by several routes by land and air, including twointernational border gates with Cambodia. Characterised by sub-equatorialtropical monsoon and plateau climate, the area features an evenly distributednetwork of rivers, streams, lakes and reservoirs.

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

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

DakNong Geopark is distinctive in terms of geological features and geoheritagevalue. Being a piece of the Gondwana ancient supercontinent, from about 200-165Ma ago it was deeply submerged into a passive continent marginal sea, very richin ammonite and bivalve fossils. This continental margin later, during 145-66Ma ago became active due to plate collision, with red-bed sediments, eruptiveandesite-dacite-rhyolite and intrusive gabbro-diorite-granodiorite-graniterocks. During the last 16.5 Ma, the territory became active again withwide-spread, multi-phase volcanic activities, forming a basalt cover over morethan 50 percent of the Geopark area. These have been the source of some of theworld’s largest and top quality bauxite deposits and a number of other minerals(sapphire, semi-precious stones etc.), and especially the fertile soils thathave 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, majesticwaterfalls and Southeast Asia’s most extensive system of hundreds ofmagnificent volcanic caves, many of which have been used by prehistoric peopleas shelter since at least 6,000-10,000 years ago.

Followingthe UNESCO recognition, relevant agencies, including the Vietnam National Commissionfor UNESCO, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and provincialauthorities, along with domestic and international scientists will jointly implementplans on environmental protection, natural conservation, and rational use ofresources in the park.

Theyaim to preserve and maximise values of geology, biodiversity, culture, history,as well as ethnic traditions of the geopark.

DakNong Geopark is the third UNESCO-recognised Global Geopark in Vietnam afterDong Van Karst Plateau Geopark in Ha Giang province and Non Nuoc Cao BangGeopark in Cao Bang province, both in northern Vietnam./.