Lang Son Geopark, located in northern Vietnam’s Lang Son province, has been officially designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council. This significant recognition was granted during a vote at the council's meeting held on Saturday in Cao Bang province, as part of the 8th International Conference of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network for the Asia-Pacific Region.

Extensive research, surveys, and field studies conducted by both domestic and international scientists over the years have confirmed that Lang Son Province holds globally significant values, making it an ideal candidate for the establishment of a UNESCO-recognized geopark.

The development of Lang Son Geopark has been a smooth and sustainable process, driven by the concerted efforts of local authorities and the active participation of communities across the eight districts and city encompassed by the park.

Local leaders believe that this recognition will enable Lang Son to better manage, preserve, and promote its geological and cultural heritage, historical and archaeological sites, biodiversity, and stunning landscapes.

The official UNESCO Global Geopark designation for Lang Son will be awarded next year in Chile.

Previously, from July 6-9, UNESCO experts conducted an on-site assessment of Lang Son Geopark, visiting 26 out of the 38 attractions along its four tourism routes in the districts of Bac Son, Binh Gia, Van Quan, Huu Lung, Chi Lang, Cao Loc, Loc Binh, and Lang Son City.

Established in 2021 and covering an area of 4,842 square kilometers, Lang Son Geopark is one of the largest geoparks in Vietnam. It boasts unique geological features, including paleobiological fossils dating back as far as 500 million years, evidence that this region was once submerged under the sea. The park also features renowned landscapes such as low mountain ranges surrounding villages in Yen Thinh Commune and prehistoric caves like Tham Khuyen in Binh Gia District.

Culturally, the geopark is home to several temples dedicated to the Mother Goddesses—an intangible cultural heritage of humanity—including the Bac Le Temple, as well as traditional villages of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups, each with their distinct cultural practices.