At 10:00 p.m. on June 27, the Lang Son Center for Investment, Trade, and Tourism Promotion signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the U.S. National Speleological Society (NSS) via an online ceremony.

This collaboration marks a concrete step toward fostering international cooperation in the development of the Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark. It opens the door for promoting the geopark's scientific research potential and the development of cave and sinkhole tourism to international markets.

The U.S. National Speleological Society is a non-governmental organization representing the United States in international cave science and exploration affairs. It is also a member of the International Union of Speleology.

Each year, the NSS organizes various meetings and conferences, including its annual convention, where peer-reviewed research and talks on cave exploration are presented.

As the national organization for caving in the U.S., the NSS includes over 8,000 members and 250 local chapters. It connects cave explorers around the world, allowing them to participate in exploration, research, and cave conservation activities.

In 2024, the NSS signed an MoU with Vietnam’s Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources (VIGMR). Under that agreement, the NSS committed to supporting Lang Son Geopark in exploring, mapping, and developing cave resources within the geopark.

In recent months, Lang Son’s Center for Investment, Trade, and Tourism Promotion has actively collaborated with the NSS on numerous cave surveys, assessing the potential for geotourism products within the Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark. These efforts have yielded highly positive results.

The newly signed MoU paves the way to promote Lang Son Geopark’s scientific potential - especially in geology and biodiversity - and its opportunities for developing cave-based geotourism to experts, researchers, and NSS members worldwide.

Following the signing, both parties will coordinate visits by NSS members to research, survey, and explore caves and sinkholes in the geopark. These activities will involve two primary groups: professionals and researchers conducting mapping, scientific studies, and training for cave rescue operations; and adventure tourists with a passion for cave exploration.

Additionally, both sides will collaborate to enhance media outreach and promote Lang Son Geopark through American media outlets and social media platforms.

PV