Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark Ahead of Revalidation

Much work ahead for Dak Nong UNESCO global geopark

The Lam Dong Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism recently worked with experts from the Viet Nam UNESCO Global Geoparks Network to survey all routes and sites across the geopark.

During the four-day field survey, the team examined three tourism routes covering more than 40 heritage sites. It also assessed community-based tourism models and indigenous cultural spaces.

The survey reviewed current conditions and progress in implementing UNESCO recommendations. The team also identified outstanding issues requiring further action before the 2027 revalidation.

Six years after joining the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, Dak Nong Geopark has established three tourism routes with 41 heritage sites. Many sites have received investment and upgrades, including directional signs, interpretive panels and visitor experiences. Geological, cultural, historical and biodiversity values have gradually been integrated into the tourism routes.

However, field surveys identified several shortcomings. Signage remains inconsistent, connections between destinations are ineffective and tourism products require further diversification.

The survey found that many localities remain uncertain about receiving infrastructure assets and handover documents. Meanwhile, the newly restructured local administrations face heavy workloads. Specialists in heritage, geology, tourism and geopark management remain in short supply. Most sites managed by communes and wards also lack sufficient guides and interpretive staff.

Thuan An Commune has two heritage sites on Tourism Route No. 2, "Symphony of a New Wind". Local authorities are reviewing the handover process, management responsibilities and plans to promote the sites' value.

Ngo Van Khoa, Deputy Director of the Thuan An Commune General Services Centre, said: "Our current difficulty is defining the respective roles of the state agency responsible for cultural management and the unit directly involved in site management.

"The lack of dedicated staff, alongside unclear responsibilities, also poses challenges to managing, protecting and promoting these heritage sites. This prevents the locality from taking a proactive approach to operational planning."

Planning and operational bottlenecks

Infrastructure and operational readiness were also identified as major bottlenecks. For a geopark, completing a facility's construction does not automatically mean a heritage site is ready to welcome visitors. Each site also requires interpretive content, visitor experiences and an appropriate operational plan to convey its heritage story.

A review found that several major public-investment facilities have largely completed construction. These include "Where Red and White Meet" in Bac Gia Nghia Ward, the Krong No Information Centre in Nam Da Commune and the Dak Song Information Centre in Truong Xuan Commune.

However, exhibition content, interpretation and equipment supporting visits and visitor experiences have yet to receive coordinated investment.

Several facilities and project components have deteriorated because of limited maintenance resources or infrequent use. Some geological heritage sites also face damage, encroachment and inappropriate resource extraction.

Notably, the project "Delineation of Protection Zones for Geological and Natural Heritage within Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark" has been approved but not implemented. This has complicated planning, management, protection and enforcement against activities that damage heritage sites.

According to Nguyen Tri Quang, Vice Chairman of the Nam Da Commune People's Committee, the locality benefits from its location in the geopark's core zone. It also possesses significant cultural, scenic and geomorphological assets. The commune therefore regards geopark-based tourism as an important development direction.

However, Quang said incomplete geopark planning remains a major challenge. It makes it difficult to delineate the core zone and balance heritage conservation and promotion with socio-economic development.

6 of 7 UNESCO recommendations remain unmet

Following the 2023 revalidation, the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network issued seven sets of recommendations requiring further action by Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark.

The survey found that only part of one recommendation set has been addressed. The remaining six are either unmet or have seen only limited progress. Significant work remains on infrastructure, identity systems, geotourism development, human resources and partner networks. This creates considerable pressure ahead of the revalidation expected in 2027.

Associate Professor Dr Tran Tan Van, Chairman of the Viet Nam UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, said extensive updates are required following the administrative restructuring.

All infrastructure across the geopark must be reviewed and updated to reflect the new administrative structure. This includes signage, tourism routes, site locations, destinations and maps. Interpretive content must also be revised.

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The workload involved in developing the geopark in line with UNESCO requirements is enormous. If we do not begin immediately, I'm afraid we will fall behind schedule and fail to meet the required standards.

Associate Professor Dr Tran Tan Van, Chairman of the Viet Nam UNESCO Global Geoparks Network

Infrastructure is not the only concern. Current geopark requirements place greater emphasis on the role of local communities. A geopark's value is measured not only by its heritage sites and facilities, but also by whether residents benefit and play a leading role in conservation and development.

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Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark brings together exceptional assets, including more than 180 geosites, nearly 50 volcanic caves and around 60 elements of tangible and intangible cultural heritage. This diversity gives the geopark its distinctive value while requiring higher standards of management, conservation and promotion.

Following administrative restructuring, the geopark is now part of the expanded Lam Dong Province. This creates opportunities to link the Central Highlands with the South Central Coast and tourism hubs such as Da Lat and Phan Thiet-Mui Ne.

These connections offer significant advantages for tourism development but also require more coordinated heritage management.

Several localities have begun re-surveying their heritage sites. They are also developing management, conservation and promotion plans linked to socio-economic development.

Le Thi Truc Linh, Deputy Director of the Lam Dong's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the department would advise the Provincial People's Committee on allocating funding and resources for the 2027 revalidation.

The immediate priority is to address UNESCO's recommendations. Local authorities will also be instructed to review, complete and effectively operate facilities, information centres, exhibition spaces and infrastructure supporting geopark activities.

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We have advised the Provincial People's Committee to concentrate resources and make every effort to complete preparations for the upcoming revalidation. Our goal is to ensure Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark retains its designation.

Le Thi Truc Linh, Deputy Director of the Lam Dong's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism

Time is running out. The shift from review to action has become urgent. Responsibility must extend beyond specialised agencies and be clearly assigned at every locality and heritage site.

Retaining the Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark designation is about more than preserving a "brand". More importantly, it means safeguarding a heritage landscape so its geological, cultural, historical and natural values can continue to be preserved and promoted. These values can then serve as resources for Lam Dong's sustainable development.