Dong Van Stone Plateau recognised as world geopark

Dong Van Stone Plateau in the northern province of Ha Giang.The Vietnam’s stone plateau was listed together with other 6 areas at the European Geoparks Conference held on Sunday in Lesvos, Greece. This is the first geopark recognised in Vietnam.
Lying about 150 km from the central town of Ha Giang and approximately 1,000 metres above the sea lever, Dong Van Stone Plateau Geopark covers some 574-sq.km spreading over four districts of Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Meo Vac, and Dong Van.
The plateau features karst stone (80%) in various sizes and shapes and with different characteristics. It is also home to around 250,000 people belonging to nearly 20 ethnic groups who are preserving their rich cultures that has lasted for hundreds of centuries.
Dong Van Stone Plateau has been surveyed by local and foreign specialists from Russia, Germany, Japan, Poland, and Belgium. Various evidence about the Earth’s evolution including fossils of thousands of species that lived some 400-600 million years ago, as well as valleys, rocks, caves, and more have been discovered here.With its earth heritage and unique culture of ethnic minority groups, the Dong Van Karst Plateau in Ha Giang Province is one of the most spectacular destinations in Viet Nam. 
The local infrastructure has been upgraded to make travelling to the district easier. Many local festivals like the Khau Vai Love Market festival, buckwheat flower festival, Gau Tao festival of the Mong, Rain Praying festival of the Lo Lo, Long Tong festival of the Tay, Cap Sac festival of the Dao, and New Year Celebration of the Giay have been revived. 
The diverse festivals of the locals and the spectacular landscapes have drawn both Vietnamese and foreign tourists to Dong Van and Meo Vac.