Ghềnh Đá Đĩa (Rapids of Stone Plates) is one of the most popular destinations for visitors to Phú Yên Province. Formed by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago, the rocky shore of Ghềnh Đá Đĩa has the unique shapes of round, hexagon, pentagon and polygon. — VNA/VNS Photo Phạm Cường

PHÚ YÊN — The south-central coastal province of Phú Yên boasts the potential to build a geopark accredited by UNESCO, experts said at a conference in the south-central province late last week regarding international cooperation for the local development of a geopark and sustainable tourism.

UNESCO Geoparks Council Chair Guy Martini said the province possesses three main values to form a geopark – geological heritage, cultural heritage and biodiversity.

Phú Yên is characterised by metamorphic rocks dating back about 2.5 billion to 542 million years ago and architectural works show the Champa–Việt Nam–Ho–Europe cultural interference, coastal sand ecosystems, lagoons, and rich coral reefs.

Deputy Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Đào Mỹ said that the authorities have determined the goal of building the Phú Yên geopark towards achieving the global-geopark accreditation by UNESCO to preserve and promote its heritage values and promote sustainable economic and social development.

Director of the Geology Museum Trương Quang Quý clarified that the proposed area for the establishment of the Phú Yên geopark covers 1,575sq.km, including Tuy Hoà City, Sông Cầu Town, Đông Hòa Town, Tuy An District and parts of Phú Hòa and Sơn Hòa districts.

Dr Bùi Việt Hùng from the European Research Institute said that the building of a global geopark is a catalyst for sustainable tourism development.

Concluding the conference, Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Trần Hữu Thế said currently, Phú Yên is implementing its plan for 2021-30 with a vision for 2050, creating a favourable condition to make a detailed blueprint for the geopark project.

Thế assigned the relevant local departments and agencies to coordinate with ministries, experts and international organisations to complete the contents and technical procedures for a project to develop Phú Yên Geopark to well preserve the value of geological heritage, protect the environment, and create sustainable livelihoods for people in the geopark region. — VNS