08/07/2026
Phu Yen Geopark – Where Continents Meet the Ocean
Established in 2024, Phu Yen Geopark covers nearly 2,000 km² of land and approximately 1,000 km² of marine area. The geopark aims to comprehensively conserve its geological, geomorphological, biodiversity, and indigenous cultural heritage while promoting the sustainable use of these resources for tourism development, livelihood creation, and improved community well-being.
With a coastline stretching nearly 189 kilometres, together with a remarkable system of bays, lagoons, offshore islands, beaches, and rocky headlands, Phu Yen Geopark possesses distinctive characteristics that set it apart from the existing UNESCO Global Geoparks in Viet Nam.
Field investigations indicate that this region was once part of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana. Ancient rocks dating back 1.8–2.0 billion years have been identified at Chop Chai Mountain, Mu U Mountain, and Nhat Tu Son Island, providing valuable scientific evidence for studying the Earth’s Precambrian basement and the long-term movement of continental plates.
The geopark also preserves abundant evidence of tectonic activity and environmental change throughout geological history. The Ba River Basin, the largest river system linking the Central Highlands with the East Sea, developed along major tectonic structures. Deep fault systems, hot springs, and fossil-bearing sedimentary formations collectively reveal the evolution of the Earth’s crust, ancient environmental changes, and the formation of today’s landscapes.
The geological diversity of the geopark is further reflected in the close relationship between its mountains, river basins, coastal plains, and marine environments. Weathering, erosion, sediment transport, and deposition have shaped a wide variety of landforms. Among the most outstanding examples is Ganh Da Dia (The Basalt Column Reef), renowned not only for its spectacular beauty but also as compelling evidence of volcanic activity and the cooling of basaltic lava during the region’s geological evolution.
The coastal landscape of Phu Yen also records younger geological processes that continue today under the influence of waves, tidal currents, and sediment transport. One of the most remarkable features is the natural sandbar connecting Nhat Tu Son Island to the mainland within Xuan Dai Bay.
This sandbar was formed through the long-term interaction between the rocky island, coastal waves, longshore currents, sediment supply, and seabed topography. Rather than remaining fixed, it continually changes with seasonal conditions and tidal cycles, vividly illustrating sediment transport, deposition, and redistribution in shallow marine environments.
Nhat Tu Son Island also preserves evidence of an ancient marine terrace, an important feature for studying past sea-level fluctuations and the evolution of coastal landforms. Together, the ancient bedrock, marine terrace, natural sandbar, native forest, and scenic bay create an integrated landscape of exceptional geological, geomorphological, ecological, and aesthetic value, offering significant opportunities for scientific research, education, conservation, and sustainable geotourism.
With a geological history spanning billions of years, diverse rock formations, interconnected mountain–river–plain–coast systems, and outstanding coastal landscapes, Phu Yen Geopark is expected to become a UNESCO Global Geopark in the future. This designation would not only introduce the eastern region of Đak Lak Province to the international community but also provide new momentum for heritage conservation, sustainable tourism development, and long-term socio-economic growth.
