Evaluating the effectiveness and suitability of the technical regulations system governing the exploration and assessment of geoheritage and geoparks in Vietnam

Abstract

The concept of Geopark was first introduced at the Digne Conference (France) in 1991 as a means to protect and promote Geoheritage values and develop localities sustainably. Particularly on November 17, 2015, the UNESCO General Conference in Paris (November 3-18, 2015) approved a new resolution on the International Geoscience and Geopark Program (IGGP) and legalized Geopark's position in the UNESCO system as "UNESCO Global Geopark". This enhanced the position, role, and importance of geoparks in general and geoheritage values in particular in a more comprehensive and holistic manner. In Vietnam, the first steps towards the investigation and study in geoheritage and formation of geoparks have also been initiated by scientists since the late 90s of the 20th century. A new development step has been marked in which the exploitation of geological resources in the direction of geoheritage preservation and environmental protection is paid special attention. To manage, exploit, and use sustainably, and especially to protect geoheritage, geoheritage-related regulations should be legalized. This paper summarizes legal documents, assesses the current status of investigation, assessment, and management of Geoheritage and Geoparks in Vietnam mainly from the legal perspective (law and by-law documents), thereby proposing issues that need amendment and supplement or developing new regulations related to state management of geoheritage and geoparks.