Accelerating preparations for the revalidation of the Dak Nong Geopark

Identifying clear priorities

The Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark, referred to as the Dak Nong Geopark, is preparing for its revalidation process, which is expected to take place between June and July 2027. Time is running short, while several routes, sites, visitor facilities, and infrastructure items serving tourists still need further improvements, corrective measures or adjustments.

Over the past period, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, alongside relevant agencies and units, conducted field surveys across three routes and forty-one sites within the Dak Nong Geopark.

The delegation also surveyed several organic agricultural models, OCOP products, and locations and models with the potential to participate in geopark activities. Also participating in the surveys were Guy Martini, an expert from the UNESCO Global Geopark Network, and Associate Professor Dr. Tran Tan Van, Chairman of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network of Vietnam.

Through the surveys, experts acknowledged that the Dak Nong Geopark holds significant geological, cultural, and scenic values alongside strong development potential. However, to prepare effectively for the revalidation, certain routes, sites, and visitor facilities require continued remediation, improvements, or reorganization.

Based on this, the experts initially proposed reviewing and reorganizing three routes comprising approximately thirty-seven sites, down from the previous forty-one sites. Among these, Route 1, named the Symphony of Fire and Water, includes eleven sites; Route 2, named the Variations of Wind, includes fifteen sites; and Route 3, named the Sound of the Earth, includes eleven sites.

According to Guy Martini, the remaining time is limited; therefore, attention must be concentrated on locations that the geopark can realistically restore, manage, and introduce according to appropriate standards.

The retention, adjustment, or addition of sites must be based on quality, value, restoration feasibility, safety conditions, and practical management mechanisms. This serves as a transitional approach, which can be further adjusted following the revalidation once other sites are restored and qualified for operation.

In addition to reviewing routes and sites, experts also emphasized the need to strengthen the geopark management team. Associate Professor Dr. Tran Tan Van suggested establishing a headquarters and a permanent team located within the central area of the geopark, equipped with the necessary professional capacity to manage and regularly conduct field operations across the entire territory. He also proposed arranging five facilities capable of welcoming visitors, displaying products, and providing information regarding the geopark.

Consolidating and expanding the partner ecosystem

Alongside reinforcing routes, sites, and the management apparatus, expanding the partner network is regarded as a crucial component to promote the values of the geopark.

Having officially become a Dak Nong Geopark partner in March 2026, Tran Van Trung, investor of The Lakehill Ta Dung Farm, expressed his belief that this represents an opportunity for entities to collectively develop sustainable tourism while bringing the values of the geopark closer to visitors.

According to Trung, leveraging natural landscapes grants Ta Dung substantial room to develop tourism products closely tied to nature and agriculture. Connecting destinations and establishing additional tours and routes will provide visitors with more options and encourage longer stays in the region. "We hope that Ta Dung in particular, and the routes and sites of the geopark in general, will become more widely known, shared Trung, adding that promoting connectivity among destinations is essential. Visitors are increasingly drawn to locations close to nature, and effective connections will unlock the area's potential more efficiently."

Experts noted that one of the elements that can be further harnessed along the routes is culinary uniqueness. Several potential partners along the routes could lay the groundwork for the geopark culinary experience route, including the K Jakg restaurant, a mangosteen farm, a durian farm, and traditional jar wine production households in Dak Nia.

During a working session with the experts, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Dinh Van Tuan asserted that a unified understanding of the three core components of the geopark must be achieved.

Specifically, the core heritage zone encompasses essential geological, geomorphological, and landscape values that must be absolutely protected and preserved in their pristine state. Heritage infrastructure comprises information center systems, rest stops, and directional signage supporting management, conservation, and visitors. The heritage ecosystem involves community participation, tourism products, and sustainable livelihoods linked to heritage.

Based on these requirements, Vice Chairman Dinh Van Tuan instructed that preparations for the revalidation must be executed urgently and decisively in accordance with the "six clears" principle: clear personnel, clear tasks, clear schedules, clear responsibilities, clear processes, and clear results.

The Provincial People's Committee assigned the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to continue finalizing the organizational structure plan for the Dak Nong Geopark Management Board, focusing on enhancing the professional expertise, skills, and management and operational capacities of the staff. Simultaneously, efforts must center on repairing, adjusting, and completing items according to expert recommendations, thereby ensuring full compliance with UNESCO criteria prior to the official working visit of the international evaluation delegation.

Regarding communes and wards within the heritage zone and local residential communities, the spirit of protecting the core heritage zone must be thoroughly instilled. Urgent reviews and inventories of supporting infrastructure facilities established during previous phases that have currently degraded must be conducted to allocate resources for timely repair and upgrading.

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The remaining time before the 2027 revalidation is short. However, opportunities remain if timely decisions are made and priority tasks are implemented substantively and effectively.

Guy Martini, Expert of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network