Delineation of Heritage Value Zones for Conservation Purposes in the Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark, Vietnam

The Non Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark, located in the Cao Bang province of Vietnam, covers an area of 339,080 hectares. It is the largest Global Geopark in Vietnam, recognized by UNESCO in 2018. This study aimed to delineate the heritage value zones for conservation and management purposes within the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark. Employing survey methods, data collection, expert assessments, and hierarchical analysis, the heritage value of the Geopark was assessed and mapped for the first time using GIS (Geographic Information System) and remote sensing technology. The heritage zoning map identified three levels: low-value zones, medium-value zones, and high-value zones. The high-value heritage zone covered an area of 66,968.3 hectares, accounting for 19.75% of the total Geopark area. The study also conducted conservation zoning, functional zoning, and proposed conservation and development solutions for the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark. The research results have both scientific and practical significance for the conservation and management of Geopark systems.