Lộc Bình in Lạng Sơn Province is known for its snow-capped Mẫu Sơn mountain peak in winter, but few are aware of the area’s other stunning attractions. One such place is the Na Dương coal mine, home to 30-million-year-old plant fossils.
NA DƯƠNG BASIN: A WINDOW INTO THE EOCENE ECOSYSTEM
The Na Dương coal mine has been operational since 1959, marking 66 years of coal extraction. According to Geologist Hoàng Tiến Đạt from the Na Dương Coal Company’s technical department, coal forms from the burial of forests underground, undergoing millions of years of anaerobic conditions, high pressure, and temperature. During coal mining operations, workers discovered numerous fossils dating back 5 to 40 million years. Thousands of fossilized tree trunks were found, along with animal fossils, offering insights into the region’s ancient ecosystem.
The Na Dương Basin, where the coal mine is located, is a large ancient basin formed over hundreds of millions of years of geological movement. It is often likened to a gigantic basin, exposing Tertiary sediments dated around 33 million years old. This area boasts some of the richest fossil deposits in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
“On the map of Lạng Sơn Geopark, Na Dương Basin is marked as number 35 out of 38 tourist spots, making it the most important geological heritage site among the seven geological heritage sites within the geopark.”
Geologist Hoàng Tiến Đạt, Technical Department, Na Dương Coal Company
Mr. Đạt shared that scientists have studied plant fossils identified through spores, pollen, and leaf, stem, and fruit imprints, indicating the presence of tropical and subtropical rainforests. The identified species include the nutmeg family, cypress family, mulberry family, ebony family, and banyan family. Additionally, a fossilized wood community was discovered, including trees reaching tens of meters high. The animal fossils found in the Na Dương Basin are also diverse, including mollusks, vertebrates such as fish, turtles, crocodiles, and mammals like rhinos, primates, and marsupials. These marsupials had pig-like features and inhabited shallow, brackish marshes.
About 23 million years ago, this area experienced localized saltwater intrusion, eventually forming deep lakes that led to the extinction of many species. The Na Dương Basin is internationally recognized as a “window” into the Eocene ecosystem of Southeast Asia, providing insights into the Paleocene basin evolution. The geo-biological relationship between Eocene mammalian fauna from Na Dương and Europe also suggests that Southeast Asia was a source for transcontinental dispersal.
Currently, the Na Dương Coal Company, local authorities, and the Lạng Sơn Geopark are collaborating to develop a tourist attraction called “Na Dương Lake World.” This project includes features such as an observation deck, parking lot, waiting area, walking trails, and an outdoor fossil museum showcasing valuable plant and animal fossils for visitors and researchers.
THE UNIQUE BAN KHIENG WATERFALL
Lộc Bình district is known for its scenic Mẫu Sơn mountain, featuring a misty atmosphere and occasional winter snowfall. However, the area boasts other breathtaking attractions as well. The limestone terrain and geological faults have given rise to a diverse network of streams and waterfalls.
Located about 32km from the center of Lạng Sơn city, Bản Khiếng Waterfall is a natural wonder situated over 1,000 meters above sea level, originating from the mountainous Mẫu Sơn region, known for its year-round mist and pleasant climate. The waterfall stretches for more than 1,300 meters and consists of three main tiers, each ranging in height from 2 to 8 meters, separated by natural rock steps and pools. The upper two tiers expand into shallow, crystal-clear lakes, revealing the underlying rock bed. The final tier cascades into a deeper pool, about 1 to 2 meters deep, filled with gravel and pebbles, acting as a natural filter to maintain the purity of the water.
Along the waterfall’s course, small streams meander through the rocks, creating a soothing sound and a picturesque, pristine landscape. The surrounding area is rich in virgin forest vegetation, contributing to climate regulation and the preservation of native ecosystems. With proper investment, Bản Khiếng Waterfall has the potential to become a large-scale eco-tourism and resort destination, boosting the local economy, providing sustainable livelihoods for the indigenous population, and becoming a highlight on the Northeast tourist map.
Mẫu Sơn, Bản Khiếng Waterfall, and Na Dương Basin are all located within a vast area known as the Bắc Sơn limestone mountain range, with an average elevation of 400 to 700 meters above sea level. This region enjoys a temperate climate, providing a cool and refreshing atmosphere year-round. Mr. Hoàng Xuân Thuận, Director of the Lạng Sơn Investment, Trade, and Tourism Promotion Center, shared that the entire Bắc Sơn limestone mountain range has been designated as the Lạng Sơn Global Geopark. Established in 2021, the geopark spans eight districts and cities, covering an area of 4,842 square kilometers and home to approximately 627,000 people. It boasts valuable archaeological sites of international significance.
Archaeologists have discovered ancient sites dating back 30,000 to 40,000 years at Thẩm Khuyên and Kéo Lèng caves. At the Mai Pha site, tens of thousands of pottery shards, stone tools, and jewelry pieces dated 3,500 to 5,000 years old were unearthed. On November 30, 2023, the People’s Committee of Lạng Sơn Province, in collaboration with the UNESCO Vietnam National Commission (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), finalized the dossier proposing the Lạng Sơn Geopark as a UNESCO Global Geopark. This dossier was then submitted to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
DEVELOPING GEOLOGICAL AND PALEONTOLOGICAL TOURISM
In September 2024, during the 8th International Conference of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network in Asia and the Pacific, the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council voted to recognize the Lạng Sơn Geopark as a UNESCO Global Geopark.
On June 2, 2025, at its headquarters in Paris, France, UNESCO awarded the certificate of UNESCO Global Geopark to the Lạng Sơn Global Geopark, Vietnam.
With this recognition, the Lạng Sơn Geopark becomes Vietnam’s fourth UNESCO Global Geopark, following the Đồng Văn Karst Plateau Geopark in Hà Giang Province, the Cao Bằng Geopark, and the Đắk Nông Geopark.
Mr. Thuận shared that to develop the Lạng Sơn Geopark for tourism, 38 tourist spots have been established, along with four tourism routes: “Exploring the Highlands,” “Journey to the Celestial Realm,” “Rustic Life on Earth,” and “Path to the Water Palace.” The Lạng Sơn Investment, Trade, and Tourism Promotion Center has been actively engaging with travel companies and investors in the tourism sector to promote investment and develop tours for the Lạng Sơn UNESCO Global Geopark.
“To develop the Lạng Sơn Geopark for tourism, 38 tourist spots have been established, along with four tourism routes: ‘Exploring the Highlands,’ ‘Journey to the Celestial Realm,’ ‘Rustic Life on Earth,’ and ‘Path to the Water Palace.'”
Ms. Hoàng Thị Thúy, Vice Chairman of Lộc Bình District People’s Committee, added that the Lộc Bình Tourism Development Project aims to attract approximately VND 7,000 billion in investment by 2025 and VND 10,000 billion in the 2026-2030 period. However, the Bản Khiếng Eco-tourism Area project has only received VND 25 billion in investment out of the approved VND 50 billion. Regarding the Mẫu Sơn Eco-tourism and Cable Car Complex project, with a total investment of VND 7,352 billion, construction is currently on hold.
According to Ms. Thúy, Lộc Bình district has several sites along the Geopark’s fourth route, including the Khánh Xuân cross-time fault, the French Garrison in Mẫu Sơn commune, the panoramic view of Mẫu Sơn mountain, the Na Dương Lake World in Na Dương town and Mẫu Sơn and Hữu Khánh communes, and Bản Khiếng Waterfall. Lộc Bình is in the process of developing and refining these Geopark attractions. It is expected that with the completion of these sites and the addition of supplementary items under the Geopark program, these destinations will attract a significant number of tourists.
The full content of this article was published in the Vietnam Economic Magazine, Issue 23-2025, released on 06/09/2025. Dear readers are invited to read at the following link: https://postenp.phaha.vn/tap-chi-kinh-te-viet-nam/detail/1440
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