Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark in Tuyen Quang province has been honored with the title “Asia’s Leading Cultural Destination 2025” by the World Travel Awards (WTA) at a ceremony held on the evening of October 13 in Hong Kong, China.
The award was presented as part of the World Travel Awards Asia & Oceania Gala Ceremony 2025, which gathered representatives from international organizations, government agencies, businesses, and experts from various countries and territories.
Ms. Nong Thi Bich Hue, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Party Committee of the Tuyen Quang Provincial People’s Committee, received the award on behalf of the province.
This is one of the most prestigious categories of the WTA, recognizing destinations that have made outstanding achievements in preserving local culture, promoting sustainable tourism, and protecting natural ecosystems. The former Ha Giang province was also honored by WTA for two consecutive years as “Asia’s Leading Emerging Tourism Destination 2023” and “Asia’s Leading Cultural Destination 2024.”
Mr. Hoang Xuan Don, Director of the Management Board of the Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark (DVKPGG), said the award is well-deserved recognition for the efforts invested in preserving the unique cultural identity of the 17 ethnic groups living in the region.
“The Geopark is a place where ethnic identity thrives naturally in daily life, without the need for staging” Mr. Don said. Visitors to the Geopark can experience the authentic traditions of local ethnic minorities - wearing flax linen costumes, building traditional earthen houses, or engaging in farming activities. In the near future, the Geopark will continue to enhance service quality and cultural values to become a high-standard destination.
Recognized by UNESCO on October 1, 2010, the Dong Van Karst Plateau became Vietnam’s first Global Geopark and remains one of the most distinctive geological areas in Southeast Asia.
Since then, the Geopark has undergone three regular UNESCO revalidations (in 2014, 2018, and 2022), consistently maintaining its status and affirming Vietnam’s international reputation within the Global Geoparks Network. In 2026, the Geopark will enter its fourth UNESCO revalidation cycle, a significant milestone to further uphold global geological heritage standards.
Covering an area of over 2,300 km², the Geopark includes 23 communes (formerly part of the four highland districts of Ha Giang province, now under Tuyen Quang province). The area preserves geological strata over 500 million years old, featuring hundreds of unique geological, paleontological, geomorphological, and karst landscapes. Ancient marine fossils, limestone layers, magnificent caves, and traces of Earth’s tectonic movements form a rare “living geological museum” of global significance.
The region is also home to 17 ethnic communities, where diverse and interwoven cultural traditions have been nurtured for generations. Ancient earthen-wall houses nestled among rocky slopes, vibrant highland markets, the Hmong reed-pipe festival, the Dao “Cap Sac” ritual, and the Khau Vai Love Market all testify to the enduring vitality of local cultures amid majestic nature.
Today, the Geopark has become a top destination for international tourists, especially young adventurers seeking thrills along the famous “Ha Giang Loop” route. Travelers can experience breathtaking mountain passes, stunning scenery, and the warm, authentic life of highland communities.
The World Travel Awards (WTA), established in 1993 and often regarded as the “Oscars of the travel industry,” is held annually to honor outstanding destinations, tourism authorities, and high-quality service providers across sectors such as aviation, hospitality, resorts, travel companies, and tourist attractions. This year marks the 31st edition of the WTA.