Dak Nong Geopark receives UNESCO title

Head of Office and UNESCO Representative to Việt Nam, Michael Croft (left) and representatives of the  Dak Nong Provincial People Committee seen at the granting ceremony of "Global Geopark" for the Dak Nong Geopark on Tuesday night. 

The recognition has marked Dak Nong Geopark the newest member of the global geopark system.

It is also the third geopark in Việt Nam to be awarded the title by the UNESCO, after Dong Van Karst Plateau in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang and Non Nuoc Cao Bang in the northern border province of Cao Bang.

A ceremony to grant the 'Global Geopark' title to Dak Nong Geopark was held in the province’s Gia Nghia City on Tuesday night.

Covering more than 4,700sq.km or two-fifths of the Dak Nong Province’s area, the geopark stretches over six of eight districts of the province, namely Krong No, Cu Jut, Đak Mil, Dak Song, Dak G’Long, and Gia Nghia Town.

Volcanic cave C1 in the Dak Nong Global Geopark. 

According to Vietnamese and international scientists, the entire Dak Nong Geopark has about 65 relic and geomorphological sites, including a system of craters, volcanic caves and waterfalls.

Alongside the most massive system of volcanos in Southeast Asia featuring 50 volcanic caves with a total length of more than 10km, the geopark is home to several local ethnic minority groups such as Mo Nong, Ma and E De.

Visiting the region, tourists can enjoy Central Highlands gong culture, which has been recognised by the UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity. They also can learn about the culture of local Mo Nong people – the oldest ethnic group in Dak Nong as well as the centuries-old stone music instruments made by ancient people.

Unique ethnic cultural and gastronomy festivals year-round are another distinct feature of the region.

Crater C7 in the Dak Nong Global Geopark. 

Speaking at the ceremony, Head of Office and UNESCO Representative to Viet Nam, Michael Croft said the distinctive features of the Dak Nong Geopark are the majestic natural beauty and unique culture of local people.

He stressed that these important features need to be preserved and protected and be linked with other tourism and economic activities.

Croft also said UNESCO will work closely to make the most of the Dak Nong Geopark’s tourism potential.

Alongside the ceremony, on Tuesday night, participants witnessed the opening of the 2nd Viet Nam Brocade Festival. 

Fourteen provinces and cities nationwide are participating in the six-day event, which aims to honour the traditional brocade products of Viet Nam's ethnic minorities as well as the cultural values of traditional craft villages.

The festival is expected to create an opportunity for ethnic artists nationwide to meet and exchange experiences and search for a stable output for brocade products, increasing incomes for locals and creating tourism products for Dak Nong.