2. Location

Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark is located in Hà Giang Province, the northernmost province in Vietnam. Dong Van karst plateau Geopark consists of four districts, namely, Meo Vac, Dong Van, Yen Minh, Quan Ba. Located in the North of Ha Giang province - Viet Nam. It shares border with china in the north, total area of over 2.346 km2. The karst plateau is created by at least 80 percent limestone and many fossils of ancient creatures species from 400 - 600 million years ago. Its average elevation is 1400 -1600 meters above sea level.

There are many huge mountains here, the highest one is Mount Mieu Vac (1971 m), meanwhile, there are also many deep canyons, the deepest one is Tu San (about 800 m).

3. Geoheritages

The geopark is located at an extension foot mount East of the Himalayas. Geoheritages date from the Cambrian (about 550 million years ago) to the present in seven different stages and include palaeobiology, stratigraphy, geomophology, tectonics, karst, caves and also important faults. The geology in this geopark reflects important events in Earth history, like of two mass extinction boundaries of Frasnian Famennian (360 million years ago) and Permian-Triassic (250 million years ago). This includes 3 groups of sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks, as well as stratigraphic, lithostratigraphic and biostratigraphic specificities. Its paleontological diversity shows 19 groups of valuable ancient organisms like ancient fish, ancient flora, brachiopods (eurispirifertonkinesis), bivalves, trilobites, foraminifera, corals, conodonta, crinoidea and fossilized paths of molluscs. The Geopark has two natural conservation areas rich in fauna and flora species such as conifers, Asian black bear, Southern serow (a solitary mountain goat) and many species of bird. Moreover, the unusual and mysterious Tonkin snub-nosed monkey is one of the 25 most endangered species of primate in the world. It is only found in Hà Giang province and was believed extinct until its rediscovery in the early 1990s.The oldest fossil found in the park was found at Lũng Cú peak, and has been dated to 540 million years old.
Geological heritages:
So far, scientists have roughly counted 33 tectonic heritage, typically a series of fault-block valleys in the areas of Quan Ba, Lao Va Chai, Pho Bang - Khau Vai, Sung La, and Lung Cu. - Ma Lé, along Nho Que, Nhiem, Lung Tao - Tu San rivers, especially the Tu San canyon on the Nho Que river formed by the fault of the earth's crust with a depth of more than 1km and high vertical limestone cliffs about 700m which is very rare in the world and is a typical heritage has been international recognized.

Wonderful landscape in Lao Va Chai (Yen Minh - Ha Giang) - Photo: Mk. Thanh
Geomorphological heritages:
Scientists have listed 45 geomorphological heritages, typically with Tu San canyon - Ma Pi Leng pass, Khe Lia canyon, Mien river canyon, Nam Lang canyon..., cuesta topography distributed in Chang village, Mau Due, Lung Cu, Dong Van ..., base leveled surfaces at different elevations are present in many places in rocky forests and rock deserts in Lung Tao, Sang Tung, Khau Vai, Quan Ba, Lung Cu ..., limestone peaks with  different shapes, waterfalls in Quan Ba, Meo Vac ..., Travertine shelf in Quan Ba, flat and steep cliffs in the form of isosceles and skewed triangles in Du Gia, Lao Va Chai, Sung La, Ma Pi Leng ..., the ancient sinkholes in limestone found in the rocky fields of Then Pa, Chang village, Sang Tung ..., and relics of the ancient river bed in Meo Vac ...

Tu San canyon (Mã Pì Lèng pass, Pải Lũng - Mèo Vạc) – Photo: Mk. Thành
Biostratigraphic heritages:
Scientists have discovered 17 groups of ancient fossils in the sedimentary rocks, which are very diverse and rich in varieties and species, such as Brachiopoda fossils (Tay cuon) in Ma Lé,  Pseudofusulina (Trung Thoi) fossils in Dong Van, bivalve fossils in the Hong Ngai - Sang Tung section, Polybranchiaspis liaojiaoshanensis (Ca co) fossils and Hydrilla verticillata (Thuc vat thuy sinh) in Xin Man Kha, Trilobita (Bo ba thuy) in Lung Cu, Crinoidea (Hue bien), Tabulata (San ho vach day), Tetracoralla (San ho bon tia)... in Lung Tao, Lung Pu ... in which, 26 new genera and species in the world were first found in Ha Giang and named after local landmarks such as Billingsella loungcoensis, Pogodia hagiangensis, Spirifer bachounensis, Spirifer dongvanensis, Pterinea mieleensis, Spirifer sikaensis, Paras Triasopora changpungensis, Claraia phobangensis, Gravicalymene maloungkaensis ... Two stratigraphic heritages assessed at international level are the late Devon biological event occurred about 364 million years ago in Si Phai pass area, Dong Van commune, Dong Van district, destroying about 19% of families and 50% of the number of paleontological genera and the biological event of Permian - Trias which is also the boundary between the Paleozoic and Mesozoic that occurred about 251 million years ago, which is the largest of the five geological events of the world, and has eradicated about 90-95% of the total genera, marine and mainland species in Sung La commune, Dong Van district.

Photo: Source dulichanz.com
Cave systems:
There are 54 limestone cave heritages discovered, many of which have significant and aesthetic values such as Nguyet cave, Ong cave, Xa Lung cave, Sang Tung cave, Tia Sang cave, Tham Ke cave, Doi cave and Rong cave, Me Chua Ba cave, Ngoc Long cave, Pa Ca cave, Sa Phin cave, Italia cave, Lung Pu cave, Lung Chinh cave, Mia Lung cave, Sung Khe cave, Nam Lang cave, Du Gia cave ... and various caves are still hidden in the limestone massif.

Mysterious rock cave at Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark  
Photo: Trần Lê Phúc Thịnh - Trần Thanh Sơn (VnExpress.net – 5.3.2009)
At Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, due to the high diversity of geology and climate, Karst evolution has formed rock gardens and rock forests that are very diverse and popular with pyramid-shaped pinnacles, called Dong Van-style Karst pyramids distributed in Dong Van, Sang Tung, Lung Tao and Sa Phin regions, and flower-shaped, flower buds-shaped rocky pyramids and in other diverse shapes are found in stone gardens of Khau Vai. Strange shapes reminiscent of "Hidden Dragon, Crouching Tiger" at Lung Pu rocky zoo or a series of smooth and black limestone boulders due to weathering look like seals in the Van Chai area. Myriad of boulders, rubble and rolling stones sprawling on the mountainsides and foothills create rough desert landscapes which are hardy found in Vietnam such as Sang Tung rocky desert, especially the Kim Pa Vi tower is made of limestone, has a needle-pointed spear-shaped body standing firmly in the canyon of the Nho Que river, which is very rare in Vietnam and in the world as well.…

The Vân Chải “seals-shaped” area– Photo: tamnhin.net
Major geosites:
Thai Phin Tung karst valley
Location: The Phan Phin Tung karst valley is distributed in Thai Phin Tung commune, Dong Van district.
This is a valley formed by the fault of the Northeast - Southwest. This fault cut through the limestone sediments of the Bac Son Formation and created a beautiful karst landscape of the valley.The center of the valley is the Sacred Tree area - a spiritual cultural heritage site of the Mong people in the Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark. For a long time, Mong people in this area always believed that there was an infinite powerful God residing at the base of the Sacred Tree. He has the ability to resolve all suffering, unlucky and bring luck and happiness to people. Mong people who leave funerals and pass over here often tie a red cloth to tree branches or cliffs with the desire to shake off all bad luck and have good luck in life. On the 3rd of the 3rd lunar month, every year, the H'Mong people here hold the worshiping ceremony and every 12 years they organize a Great Ceremony to pray for luckiness and strengthen solidarity in the family and community.
The Ancient Sacred tree which grows among a cluster of rocky forests creating a striking landscape between the tectonic valley stretching in the direction of Northeast - Southwest is one of the typical heritage sites of Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark. There is a parking lot nearby and the service to provide information for visitors entering the ceremony to wish for a fun and safe trip in extremely difficult mountainous terrain.
(Nguyễn Nhung)
Lung Phin-Lung Chinh Pyramid Cluster
Lung Phin - Lung Chinh Pyramid Cluster belongs to Lung Phin and Lung Chinh Communes, Meo Vac District, Ha Giang Province. Lung Phin - Lung Chinh Heritage Cluster is located on a leveling surface of 1300-1000m which is widely distributed but mainly in the southern parts of the Dong Van-Meo Vac Plateau. The surface of this area is quite flat and still retains karst terrain well. Covering the area of Lung Phin and Lung Chinh district are Limestone Mountains or in other words, it is mainly karst terrain. Beside on the disadvantage of Karst on cultivation, transportation and water scarcity, Karst has created unique and interesting landscapes. Limestone blocks created by nature's mother have cut the rocks into pyramids with a variety of shapes. This type of terrain is strongly divided with unique features like sharp peaks, straight ribs, burrs, rugged rock, etc. A special type of valley is also formed on the karst topography - Lung Phin blind Valley. Along with the diversity of geological heritage values is the uniqueness of indigenous culture. This is a type of upland agriculture, culture, mainly taking advantage of the natural environment as a basis. The people here are very good at shafting agriculture with terraced fields - especially terraced fields on rock. They plant food crops and vegetables on valleys, steep slopes and rocky fields. They also domesticate and raise a variety of cattle and poultry in accordance with the climate and natural environment here. In addition to the unique and diverse values of geological heritage and indigenous culture, the Lung Phin region is also famous for Lung Phin Camellia sinensis (chè shan tuyết).The Lung Phin - Lung Chinh Pyramid Cluster consists of major geosites: Lung Phin "blind" valley, Lung Phin slide, Lung Chinh cave, Mia Lung cave 1, Sung Khe 1A cave, Sung Khe 1B cave, Sung Khe cave 2, Sung Soong Cave 3 and 4, limestone creatures heritage and Lung Phin ancient tea.
(Xuân Thảo-Geopark management board)
The heritage cluster of Sung Tra – Sung Mang – Ta Lung
This heritage cluster is located in Ta Lung, Sung Mang and Sung Tra communes, Meo Vac district, Ha Giang province. The heritage cluster includes the following heritage sites: Hau Trau Cave, Sung Mang 1 Cave, Ta Tra Village 1, Ta Tra Village 2, Lung Tung 1 Cave, Tectonic macadam and tower-like form Karst. Sung Tra - Sung Mang - Ta Lung area of Meo Vac district is also one of the areas with a rich integration of different types of geo-heritage. The combination of karst process with the activities of fracture, denudation, gravity erosion in the context of lifting, diverging, sliding movements in the new tectonic and climatic differentiation by altitude has created very unique karst terrain types. Sung Tra - Sung Mang - Ta Lung area is located on a leveling surface of 1,000-1,300m with typical karst landscape, including: arched karst, conical-like, cone-like forms, and karst blocks (NW-SE direction and NE-SW) very popular and typical for this area. Alternating between them are gentle valleys and karst sinkholes. In addition, there are "rocky deserts" formed in this area due to the almost absolute dominance of physical weathering, combined with karst - erosion process to break down the columns of "rocky forests" in the climatic conditions of the altitude above 1,000m. At Sung Mang (2km southward of Lung Phin) the tectonic breccia formation to form vertical cliffs like walls or unique rock pillars with hundred meters wide, thousands of meters long in the direction of Northwest - Southeast is evidence of past faulty activity (Northwest - Southeast).
(Geopark management board)
Lung Phin ancient tea tree heritage point
Lung Phin ancient tea tree is located in Lung Phin commune, Meo Vac district, Ha Giang province. Chè shan tuyết (Camellia sinensis) ancient trees are over 300 years old, scattered in the limestone valleys of 4 hamlets of Can Pay Ho A, Can Pay Ho B, Suoi Chin Van and Mong Xo Phin, Lung Phin commune, Dong Van district. These valleys are about 1,800 m in three surrounding rocky mountains and cloud covering during the four seasons. The sun only passes through the ravine at midday so the ancient tea trees in the whole year in the mist only catch the meridian sunshine and the nutrition of red soil mixed with the plateau rocks over hundreds year nurture green tea leaves sparkling like white snow. Currently the total area of tea in Lung Phin is 77.74 ha, of which ancient tea has 14.4 ha. The ancient tea of Lung Phin has been investigated and researched by the Tea Research and Development Center of the Northern Mountainous Agriculture and Forestry Science and Technology Institute with very high quality, equivalent to Phuc Dinh Dai Bach Tea (a famous Chinese type). For a long time, Lung Phin ancient tea has been famous for its delicious, pure and special quality, which is used to provide for the emperors. Lung Phin ancient tea is a perfect product in the optimal conditions for tea plants: climate, topography, soil and species. It is also processed by a unique traditional method and imbued with the pure and passionate feelings of the Mong people, thus creating a unique product of Vietnamese tea.

Lung Phin closed valley is the place nurturing old tea trees over 300 years

Lung Phin ancient tea harvesting
In order to preserve and promote the value of ancient tea trees, in 2013, Lung Phin commune established Lung Phin tea production cooperative and identified this as a potential and key crop for economic development and improvement of the living standard of local people. At present, Lung Phin tea is recognized with good quality and has been well known in Vietnam and abroad, but with a modest output, Lung Phin tea is only occupying a small market share in the domestic market. In the future, with the conservation and development of Lung Phin tea, it will surely be included in the list of Vietnamese tea in the world tea market.
(Nguyễn Nhung-Geopark management board)
Lung Pu leveling surface
The lung Pu leveling surface is situated in the Lung Pu commune, Meo Vac district. The lung Pu area is located on a leveling surface about 1,000-1,300m with typical rocky desert landscape, arched karst blocks, conical and tower-shaped karst blocks in the Northwest - Southeast and Northeast - Southwest ranges. The karst cones are gradually steep into very wide carren surfaces exposed in the brown soil containing bauxite and lime chips.

The peak - cluster karst valley landscape in Lung Pu
Lung Pu karst arch with large pyramidal blocks is connected by gentle saddles. The valleys between them becomes deeper, sometimes there are sinkholes in karst and there are patches of rocky forest on the slopes accompanied by the phenomenon of foot sliding. These are karst terrains at the last stage of development preserved from the middle Pliocene period (about 2.5 to 3.6 million years ago). In addition, in this area, it is also possible to observe the leveling surface of 1,500-1,700 m with the rocky desert landscape on the watershed area preserved from the early Pliocene period (over 3.6 million years ago).
(Vương Vĩnh Thái-Geopark management board)

4. Biodiversity

In addition to geological and geomorphological values, Dong Van Rock Plateau Geopark is also a rocky mountain region with diverse and quite unique geology - ecology with primitive evergreen tropical rainforest communities and subtropical high mountains remain relatively intact. There are 289 species of higher plants belonging to 83 families, including many wood, forest products and medicinal species. Biologists have discovered many rare and precious plant species such as Brown-leaved pine cones, Cupressus funebris, Red pine, etc. Especially the Red pine in Thai Phin Tung with a diameter of 70 cm is the largest and the oldest living in northern Vietnam. The first pine species described in the 21st century is the Vietnamese golden cypress (Xanthocyparis vietnamensis) was discovered in the northwestern part of Quan Ba adjacent to China (classified as extremely endangered in the IUCN Red List). In May 2005, the scientists discovered two species of plants, including Pinus vera and Seven-leaves one-flower tree (classified as R-grade of Vietnam Red list). In September 2005, the Journal of Genetics and Application No. 1/2005 also announced a new finding about the long-leaf pearl (Lysimachia vittiformis) near Lo Thang village, Thai An commune, Quan Ba district. In addition, there are more than 40 species of orchids and lichens on limestone deserts in the Dong Van plateau.

Sang Tung rocky desert – Photo: tamnhin.net
Du Gia Nature Reserve is located to the south of Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark with a fairly rich fauna of 171 species belonging to 73 families and 24 orders, of which there are 57 species of mammals, 82 bird species, 18 reptile species and 14 species of amphibians. There are 27 rare and precious animal species listed in the Vietnam Red list, including 17 species of mammals, 2 species of birds and 8 species of reptiles. Especially since 2002, the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus avunculus) has been discovered, one of the five primate species in Vietnam and among the 25 primate species in the world, with nearly 100 individuals in the Khau Ca forest buffer zone.

Buckwheat flower season on Dong Van rock plateau – Photo: Mk. Thành
Khau Ca Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey Nature Reserve covers an area of over 2,000 ha, located in Tung Ba commune (Vi Xuyen) and Minh Son and Yen Dinh communes (Bac Me). With the support of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the provincial forest protection force has actively carried out biological patrol and supervision in the areas having Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey; control and update information about activities that are harmful to the conservation area's habitat corridors and promote propaganda and raising public awareness about the protection of the Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys.[2]

5. Culture[3]

Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark is the area of about 250,000 residents of 17 ethnic groups including H'Mong, Tay, Lo Lo, Giay, Dao, Nung, Kinh, Hoa..., and some ethnic groups are unique especially in Ha Giang such as Pu Péo, Co Lao, La Chi, Bo Y. Each ethnic group has their own very rich traditional cultural identity, from languages, customs, beliefs to the folk arts and festivals with highland characteristics... In which "Khau Vai Love Market" is the most unique festival, besides, there is the "Gầu Tào" festival of H'Mong people, "The forest's God worship" festival of Pu Peo people, Ceremony of Dao ethnic groups... and other festivals and customs of the ethnic groups. In labor, residents have also created a very unique farming method when planting maize in stone holes to adapt to the natural conditions of land and water shortage. The presence of the resident communities here has given Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark a rare self-worth and unique cultural aspects which are not mixed with any other regions in Vietnam.
Dong Van Ancient Town
Dong Van is a small town located in the middle of a valley surrounded by rocks. The most picturesque part of Dong Van is the old town where many rundown clay houses built in the late 19th century are located. Dong Van market is held every Sunday. It is the perfect place to shop for local products made by ethnic minority people such as Mong, Han, Dao, Giay and Tay people. On Saturdays countless lanterns make the town a beautiful place to stroll around. From Dong Van town you can explore attractions such as Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, Lung Cu Flag Tower and Ma Pi Leng Pass.




Khau Vai Love market
Khau Vai commune, located in Meo Vac district, the northernmost province of Ha Giang, is home to ethnic minority groups of Giay, Nung and Muong. Each year, there is a market session on lunar March 26th (often falling on calendar May), but it is not a farming produce trading market but a love market. The name and activities of the market have common things with love market in Sapa.
But what’s different is that Khau Vai is a love market for various ethnic minority groups from four mountainous districts in Dong Van Plateau and ethnic minority groups in communes adjacent to Bao Lam and Bao Loc districts of Cao Bang province.
Local senior people said that this love market dated back to 1919. Roads are now more accessible than the previous years, so more people come to the market. However, activities of the market are still rich in cultural identity.


H’mong King Palace
The king of the H’mong ethnicity and his family lived in this impressive mansion early last century. The mansion has a unique design created by stone artists from Yunnan (China) and has elements of both traditional architecture of the Qing dynasty in China as well as local Mong culture. The house is decorated with images of sacred animals such as turtle, dragon, phoenix and unicorn to show the prosperity of the family. The mansion has a total of 10 buildings, two levels and 64 rooms.​