Park gets upgrade as tourism booms

HA NOI (VNS)— A master plan for developing the Dong Van Global Geology Park in northern mountainous province of Ha Giang by 2020 has been announced.

The park will be divided into three preservation zones, which will act as three functional parks for geology science, geology-culture, ecology and four tourism centres.

The plan aims to preserve the heritage values of geology, culture and biological diversity. It will promote the cultural values of 15 ethnic groups and craft villages in four districts of Dong Van, Quan Ba, Yen Minh and Meo Vac.

It's planned that by 2020, the tourism income will account for 65 per cent of local economic structure.

The Dong Van plateau was recognised by UNESCO as one of the 77 geological parks in the world and the second geological park in Southeast Asia in October 2010.

The park covers four districts of Meo Vac, Dong Van, Yen Minh and Quan Ba, totalling over 2,300sq.km, with nearly 250,000 residents. Up to 80 per cent of the plateau is covered by limestone.

The number of tourists visiting Ha Giang has increased considerably from 300,000 in 2010 to 400,000 in the last year. Since the beginning of this year, the province has received more than 140,000 tourists.

Addressing the announcement ceremony on Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan noted that the plan had a significant meaning in preserving the karst plateau and developing local cultures.

The plan showed Viet Nam's commitment in maintaining its heritage as well as creating legal foundation for developing the area.

"This is a driving force for development in Ha Giang as well as the whole northern mountainous region", he said. The deputy PM asked scientists and international organisations to do further research to enrich unveiled values in geology and culture, and to support preserving and advertising the plateau. — VNS