Lam Dong seeks UNESCO Ambassadors
Lam Dong Province has launched the 2026 UNESCO Dak Nong Global Geopark Ambassador Search Contest for students, helping raise public awareness of heritage conservation and promote sustainable local development.
Raising youth awareness of geopark heritage in Lam Dong
The Lam Dong Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has issued a plan to organize the 2026 UNESCO Dak Nong Global Geopark Ambassador Search Contest for school and university students.
The contest aims to raise young people's awareness of geological, natural and cultural heritage, as well as biodiversity. It also seeks to identify young people with the communication skills needed to promote the geopark's heritage, helping prepare for its revalidation in 2027.
Eligible participants include lower and upper secondary school students across the province and students from six universities and colleges in Lam Dong.
Participants will compete individually by submitting two entries: an argumentative essay of no more than 1,500 words and a three-to-five-minute video with English subtitles.
Building a new generation of young heritage ambassadors
Entries must introduce outstanding geological, natural or cultural heritage sites, or notable communities within the geopark. They must also propose at least one solution to environmental protection or tourism promotion at the selected heritage site.
Each educational institution will select its five best entries and submit them to the provincial organizing committee before November 10, 2026. Following the preliminary round, 10 entries from the school student category and 10 from the university student category will advance to the final round.
In the final round, contestants will deliver presentations and speeches in Vietnamese and English, and answer questions on heritage, culture, tourism, the environment and geoparks. The contest is expected to conclude with an awards ceremony in December 2026.
In addition to receiving prizes, award-winning contestants will be recognized as UNESCO Dak Nong Global Geopark Ambassadors of Lam Dong Province for four years from the date of recognition.
Through the contest, Lam Dong hopes to build a network of young ambassadors who actively promote, conserve and enhance the value of local heritage, helping preserve cultural identity and foster sustainable tourism development.