UNESCO Dak Nong Geopark aims for re-evaluation in 2027
WVR - A training conference in Dong Gia Nghia Ward, Lam Dong Province, focuses on raising awareness and responsibility of local authorities in managing, preserving, and promoting the value of the UNESCO Global Geopark Dak Nong, aiming for re-evaluation in 2027.
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On September 24, in Dong Gia Nghia Ward, the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Lam Dong Province organized a training conference to enhance awareness and management capacity of the geopark.
About 50 delegates from the UNESCO Global Geopark Network in Vietnam, the Dak Nong Geopark Culture and Management Center, and leaders from 22 communes and wards in the area attended.
Clarifying the responsibility of local authorities
Speaking at the conference, Le Thanh Hiep, Director of the Dak Nong Geopark Culture and Management Center, stated that since its recognition by UNESCO in 2020, the Geopark has gradually highlighted its outstanding values, contributing to promoting the region's image and creating opportunities for tourism development, education, scientific research, heritage conservation, and sustainable socio-economic development.
The conference aims to update knowledge, helping localities better understand the value of the Geopark, its heritage, landscapes, and existing resources; thereby clarifying roles and responsibilities in management, preservation, and promotion of these values. It is also an opportunity to strengthen coordination among levels, sectors, and communities in preparation for the re-evaluation in 2027.
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| Promoting the value of the geopark associated with sustainable tourism and community livelihoods. (Source: UNESCO Dak Nong Geopark) |
Experts from the UNESCO Global Geopark Network in Vietnam introduced four topics on the overview of the Geopark; management work and responsibilities of local authorities; implementation of UNESCO's recommendations, preparation for re-evaluation in 2027; and promoting the Geopark's value associated with sustainable tourism and community livelihoods.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Tan Van, Chairman of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network in Vietnam, stated that the Geopark has gradually highlighted the value of three experience routes, a network of heritage sites and partners, an interpretation system, along with educational, communication, and scientific cooperation activities. The re-recognition for the 2024-2027 period affirms the achievements made.
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Tan Van, the Geopark is not just a UNESCO title but also a model for sustainable socio-economic development based on heritage conservation and value promotion.
Therefore, it is necessary to shift from project-based implementation to a regular, continuous, and long-term management mechanism; where conservation activities are evidence-based, communities participate and benefit, tourism products ensure quality, and data is updated and managed uniformly.
Preparing for re-evaluation
The Geopark currently belongs to Lam Dong Province, creating opportunities to strengthen regional linkages and elevate its brand. Tasks set include ensuring the continuity of the apparatus, consistent identification, overcoming limitations at heritage sites, and fully preparing for the re-evaluation in 2027.
The conference also focused on discussions about developing geological tourism, community tourism, expanding the partner network, building OCOP products, and local specialty products. Delegates shared difficulties, obstacles, and proposed solutions to enhance effective coordination among levels, sectors, and localities in managing, preserving, and promoting the Geopark's value.
On September 25, delegates conducted field surveys at the Geopark Information Center, the Traditional Musical Instrument Exhibition House in Dong Gia Nghia Ward, and Nam Kar Volcano in Quang Phu Commune, thereby linking training content with practical management and preservation of heritage sites.
The Dak Nong Geopark covers an area of approximately 4,760 km2, encompassing 22 communes and wards in the western part of Lam Dong Province, associated with the M'nong Plateau, Serepok River basin, basalt plateaus, Nam Nung mountain range, Ta Dung area, and the living space of many ethnic communities.
The Geopark has established three tourism routes with themes “Epic of Fire and Water”, “Symphony of the New Wind”, and “Echoes from the Earth”, along with a network of about 44 heritage sites and destinations connecting geological, landscape, and cultural values.
