According to Ly Trung Kien, Vice Chairwoman of Dong Van district People’s Committee, thousands of visitors thronged popular destinations in the area, including the Dong Van ancient street, Lung Cu flagpole which marks the country’s northernmost point and the old mansion of the Vuong family who used to be the King of the local H’Mong ethnic tribe.

Kien said around one third of the tourists were foreigners, and most of domestic tourists were from the central and southern regions.

Recognised as a member of the Global Network of National Geoparks (GGN) in 2010, Dong Van plateau is spread over the four districts of Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Meo Vac and Dong Van.

As Viet Nam’s first geological park and the second of its kind in Southeast Asia, after Langkawi Geological Park in Malaysia, the 2,356 square kilometre plateau is 80 percent limestone and contains the fossils of thousands of species of prehistoric creatures from 400-600 million years ago.

It is also home to 250,000 people from 17 different ethnic groups, who boast unique cultures that have been fostered over the centuries.

Vice Chairman of Ha Giang provincial People’s Committee Sen Chin Ly said the local authorities have taken a range measures to ensure security and safety while meeting the demands of tourists. The districts have been organising many cultural activities with the participation of ethnic people to welcome visitors.

He added that the completion of upgrading work on the National Highway 4C from Ha Giang city to the four districts on the stone plateau has helped attracted more visitors.

Towards developing tourism into a main income source, Ha Giang authorities are making steps to attract investors and promote the province’s attractions through upgrading infrastructure at main local destinations and building more tourist products with local characteristics.

Last year, the province welcomed some 440,000 tourists, up 5.3 percent from 2012, with 130,000 coming from abroad.