Exploiting cave tourism in Lang Son Geopark

NDO - With unique topographic and geological features and cultural diversity, Lang Son Geopark (Lang Son province) has been recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark. Lang Son Geopark has about 200 caves and many beautiful waterfalls. This is a great potential for tourism development. Lang Son province is implementing many measures to awaken this potential.

Lang Son Geopark covers the entire administrative boundaries of Bac Son, Chi Lang, Huu Lung, Van Quan, Loc Binh districts and Lang Son city, part of the administrative boundaries of Binh Gia district and part of Cao Loc district. The total area is 4,842.58 km ² , with a population of about 627,500 people (accounting for 58% of the area and 78% of the province's population). This is one of the largest Geoparks in Vietnam.

Lang Son Geopark has many large and massive caves, great length, inside the caves there are many stalactites of many forms, most of which are preserved intact.

Many amazing caves are the result of underground rivers in the past such as Tham Khoach, Lac, Bat cave and many caves containing valuable archaeological, cultural and historical relics such as Tham Khuyen - Tham Hai cave, Keo Leng cave, Gio cave, Nhi - Tam Thanh cave...

Among them, there are relics of prehistoric people, showing the long history of human habitation in our country.

Deputy Director of the Lang Son Provincial Center for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Tran Thi Bich Hanh said that Lang Son Geopark is a “gem” in the mountainous region of northern Vietnam with a journey through 500 million years of life evolution. From ancient seas to volcanic lands, each side of Lang Son Geopark tells a unique story.

Lang Son Geopark has an amazing cave system.

Besides its geological and geomorphological values, Lang Son Geopark also makes a strong impression on its cultural heritage values. The spiritual life in Lang Son Geopark is deeply rooted in the Mother Goddess religion, a Mother Goddess worship belief recognized by UNESCO as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Some typical temples and pagodas are: Bac Le Temple (Huu Lung district); Chau Nam Temple, Chau Muoi Temple (Chi Lang district); Tam Thanh Pagoda (Lang Son city)... The harmonious combination of natural history, cultural diversity and spiritual traditions makes Lang Son Geopark a unique destination to learn and explore.

On September 8, 2024, within the framework of the 8th International Conference of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network in the Asia-Pacific region, the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council meeting conducted an assessment and 100% of members agreed to recognize Lang Son Geopark as a UNESCO Global Geopark.

It is expected that in September 2025, Lang Son province will receive the title of Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark in Chile. In November 2025, Lang Son province will hold a ceremony to receive the title of Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark.

Currently, Lang Son Geopark has formed 4 tourist routes with 38 attractions with the theme: "Evolution of life in the sacred land". Each route has its own characteristics, initially attracting domestic and international tourists. However, reality also shows that Lang Son Geopark still has a lot of room to exploit tourism development.

One of the directions that can be promoted in the future is cave exploration tourism because the Park has a rich and unique cave system and magnificent natural landscape. However, the problem is how to exploit it sustainably, manage the value of the heritage well, and at the same time, ensure safety when exploiting the service.

The seminar "Developing cave exploration tourism in Lang Son Geopark" organized by the Center for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion of Lang Son province attracted the attention of many scientists and experts in tourism activities.

Affirming that tourism development is necessary, Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Tan Van (Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources) said that in a limestone area, underground water in some areas is very susceptible to pollution, while other areas are less sensitive. Therefore, to protect underground water in limestone areas, it is necessary to plan land use in a comprehensive and comprehensive manner; it is necessary to investigate and inventory caves as a basis for management. The best approach in managing the impact of cave use and exploration is to develop a long-term strategic plan, with the participation of all relevant parties. Guides and cave exploration service providers need to be properly trained in cave safety and conservation.

Dr. Mai Thi Phuong (Faculty of Tourism and Foreign Languages, Vietnam National University of Agriculture) said that it is necessary to apply the circular economic model to develop adventure tourism in Lang Son Geopark. In addition to paying attention to waste treatment and resource management, Lang Son province needs to design circular tourism products to help minimize negative impacts on the environment, while increasing the value of the experience for visitors. For example, organizing eco-tours, cave exploration, and controlled mountain climbing to limit erosion and protect the ecosystem; encouraging the use of environmentally friendly means of transport such as electric cars and bicycles in the park area; creating souvenirs from recycled materials or from sustainable indigenous resources. In addition, it is necessary to develop a sustainable tourism supply chain, raise community awareness, etc.

In addition, many experts also gave their opinions on the development of souvenir products with local cultural characteristics, solutions to exploit and preserve natural and cultural heritage. This is the basis for Lang Son to apply in tourism exploitation, especially cave exploration tourism in the coming time.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/khai-thac-du-lich-hang-dong-cong-vien-dia-chat-lang-son-post860046.html