Turning potential into advantages
To date, Vietnam is home to three UNESCO-recognised global geoparks, including Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark in Ha Giang province, Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark in Cao Bang province and Dak Nong Geopark in Dak Nong province.
Associate Prof. Dr. Tran Tan Van, former Director of the Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources, said it is a reasonable direction to build a global geopark in Ninh Binh since the province meets criteria set for a global geopark. The Trang An World Cultural and Natural Heritage satisfies three criteria of geomorphology; landscape and interactions between humans and irreversible changes of the environment.
The Ninh Binh global geopark may consist the whole area of the Trang An Landscape Complex, Cuc Phuong National Park and Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve.
In addition, the planned geopark might comprise Ninh Binh city with some cultural and historical relic sites.
It may extend to some surrounding districts to have more relic sites such as Kenh Ga hot spring, Phat Diem Stone Cathedral and a part of Kim Son World Biosphere Reserve.
The scale and scope of the geopark will be defined after making a survey and assessment of the geopark's potential in combination with solutions to socio-economic developmen of the province and localities.
Paul Dingwall, a specialist of UNESCO, said international experiences showed that the most effective way to preserve geographical heritages is to establish geoparks and boost tourism activities and relating services.
For sustainable development
According to experts, building a geopark in Ninh Binh plays an important role in resolving the harmonic relationship between preservation and development, between protecting natural resources and boosting socio-economic development.
Once being recognised as a global geopark, the position of the Trang An Landscape Complex and Ninh Binh will be enhanced. It also helps improve the living standards and livelihoods for local residents. Other local nature reserves, relic sites and heritages will also gain international recognition.
According to Associate Prof. Dr. Tran Tan Van, former Director of the Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources, the shortest roadmap for Ninh Binh to seek UNESCO recognition of its global geopark is three years. Therefore, it needs to implement key tasks synchronically.
Firstly, it needs to step up the communication work to raise local people's awareness of the values of global geopark in association with socio-economic development.
Secondly, the province should work with domestic and foreign units, organisations and experts to zone off areas that could be part of the global geopark.
Ninh Binh should pay attention to restoring, preserving and promoting tangible and intangible heritages, geological values, bio-diversity, and local identities.
Moreover, the province should call for investment into tourism infrastructure.
Under the provincial master planning scheme for the period of 2021-2030 with a vision to 2050, Ninh Binh persists with the socio-economic goals in the direction of green, sustainability and harmony; developing the local economy basing on fully exploiting the unique and outstanding values of the Trang An heritage and Hoa Lu ancient capital to turn Ninh Binh into a national and international tourism hub and a millennium heritage city.
The building of the Ninh Binh global geopark would help reduce the overload for the Trang An heritage while preserving, exploiting and promoting its values more effectively.