Phu Yen (VNS/VNA) - The central province of Phu Yen hassufficient conditions to set up a Global Geopark, Guy Martini, Chairman ofthe UNESCO Global Geoparks Council, said after a field trip to thesite earlier this week.

Theexpert headed a team of international scientists and experts from theMinistry of Natural Resources and Environment to explore various locations,including Ganh Da Dia (Da Dia Reef), Hon Yen (Yen Islet), Bai Mon (MonBeach) - Mui Dien (Dien Cape), Ganh Ong (Ong Reef), Bai Xep (Xep Beach),Thap Nhan (Nhan Tower), White Stone Pagoda, Sa Huynh Go Oc archaeology relicsite and Xuan Loc diatomite mine.

During ameeting with local authorities on August 5, Martini reported resultsafter a three-day excursion. 

He notedthat the province has distinguishing geological features thatshow that volcanoes were formed and active over 100 million yearsago. 

It alsohas a variety of intangible culture, biological diversity andecological forms.

Martinisaid that Phu Yen has enough conditions to compile a dossier to seekUNESCO’s recognition as a Global Geopark.

At adiatomite mine in An Xuan commune, the team found traces of a fossil leafdeep in the soil.

“Through research, wediscovered the geological heritage, for example, cracks on the Ba Riverbed,” said Tran Tan Van, rector of the Vietnam Geology and Minerals Institute.“The fault lines are huge, proving that the fractures are still active,beginning 250 million years ago and continuing up to now.”

He also suggestedways for authorities to compile the dossier, and said that authoritiesshould form a management board for the geopark at the local level.

“We need an agreementfrom the province to further implement certain tasks,” he said.

Vice Chairman of the provincialPeople’s Committee Phan Dinh Phung confirmed that the province would sooncompile the dossier to submit to UNESCO.

There are two globalgeoparks recognised by UNESCO in Vietnam: Dong Van Karst Plateau inthe northern province of Ha Giang (recognised in 2010) and Cao BangGeopark (2018).

Van saidabout 15 localities in the country could become national geoparks,many of which can be considered for Global Geo Park status. They are HaLong Bay (Quang Ninh province), Cat Ba Archipelago (Hai Phong), Ba Vi NationalPark (Hanoi), Cuc Phuong National Park – Hoa Lu Imperial Citadel - Trang An(Ninh Binh province), Hoang Lien National Park - Sapa (Lao Cai province), andPhong Nha Ke Bang National Park and its buffer zone (Quang Binh province).-VNS/VNA