Elevating Phu Yen geological heritage to global UNESCO status

From Dong Van Karst Plateau's experience, Phu Yen is accelerating heritage conservation and livelihood development for early global UNESCO recognition.

Recently, the Management Board of Phu Yen Geopark (under the Dak Lak Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism) organized a development cooperation conference with Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark, themed "Connecting Heritage - Spreading Values", Tuoi Tre Newspaper reported.

Mr. Huynh Vinh Ngoc, Director of the Management Board of Phu Yen Geopark, said the unit is implementing a project to build Phu Yen Geopark toward the UNESCO Global Geopark title.

Cooperating with Dong Van Karst Plateau helps the locality learn from experience in heritage management and conservation, human resource training, product development, and dossier completion according to UNESCO standards. This includes orienting the development of geological, experiential, community, educational, and research tourism linked with culture, cuisine, craft villages, and agriculture; while simultaneously promoting digital transformation, AI application, and building smart tourism maps.

"The goal is not only the UNESCO title but aims at conserving heritage, creating livelihoods for the people, and developing sustainable tourism", Mr. Ngoc said.

Mr. Trinh Hai Son, Director of the Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources and Chairman of the Specialized Subcommittee of the Viet Nam UNESCO Global Geoparks, believes that building Phu Yen Geopark according to UNESCO criteria is a long-term strategy, requiring perseverance, scientific discipline, and the joint efforts of the government, businesses, and the community.

The Subcommittee will continue to coordinate with Dak Lak province, mobilizing domestic and foreign experts to support surveying and perfecting the dossier according to UNESCO criteria.

What is unique about Phu Yen Geopark?

Established in 2024, Phu Yen Geopark covers nearly 2,000 sq.km of mainland and about 1,000 sq.km of sea, spreading across 22 communes and wards in the east of Dak Lak province, with nearly 189km of coastline. The area possesses many special geological values, from traces of metamorphic rocks dating back 1.8 - 2 billion years to ancient granite blocks and columnar basalt systems such as Ganh Da Dia, Hon Yen, and Hon Dun.

Besides geological resources, the area also features 3 special national monuments, 19 national monuments, over 80 provincial-level monuments, and 4 national intangible cultural heritages, along with scenic spots like Ganh Da Dia, Nhan Tower, Vung Ro, Xuan Dai Bay, O Loan Lagoon, Bai Mon - Mui Dai Lanh, and many craft villages and traditional cultural forms.

Hong Ngoc