PART I – INTRODUCTION

1.1. Institution

• For English name: Viet Nam Center on Karst and Geoheritage
• Arcosym: VCKG

1.2. Headquarter

• Office: Room 708, Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources, No 67, Chien Thang Street, Van Quan, Ha Dong, Hanoi, Vietnam
• Phone: 0982 973 498
• Email: ttkarst@monre.gov.vn; trungtamkarst@gmail.com
• Webiste:  www.vckg.org.vn
• Account: 124000032258
• Tax code: 0500237455 – 005

1.3. History of establishment

• Vietnam Center on Karst and Geoheritage was formed according to Decision No. 98/QĐ-VDCKS dated 26 August 2010 by Director of Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources.
• Decision No. 164/QĐ -VDCKS dated 01 August 2014 of the Director of Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources defining the function, task, power and organizational structure of Vietnam Center on Karst and Geoheritage.
• Decision No.57/QĐ-VDCKS dated April 10, 2018 of the Director of Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources defining the function, task, power and organizational structure of Vietnam Center on Karst and Geoheritage.

1.4. Activity fields

Vietnam Center on Karst and Geoheritage is a scientific and technological non-business unit, has its legal person status with its own seal and account as prescribed by law, has function of conducting scientific research, consulting, implementing and transferring technology and services in geology, mineral, hydrogeology, geohazards, geoenvironment, cave survey in limestone region (karst); geoheritage, geopark and geotourism; medical geology, carbon mineralization and other applications of Geosciences (hereinafter referred to as Karst Geology and Geoheritage).

• To propose, build policies and legislation on karst geology and geoheritage; To formulate, organize and cooperate in the implementation and appraisal of subjects, schemes and projects on scientific research, application and technology transfer; Participating in the formulation of strategies, planning and policies for the development of science and technology on Karst Geology and Geoheritage.
• To study scientific, transfer technology; consult and supervise the execution of projects; perform service activities on karst geology and geoloheritage according to regulations of the Law.
• To build standards, technical regulations, economic and technical norms on karst geology and geoheritage; to formulate and guide on building projects on geoheritage, geological preservation and geopark; to guide on setting up profile, to participate in the appraisal and recognition of the titles of national and global geoheritage and geopark.
• Making economic and technical demonstration, formulation and evaluation project, consulant for implementation on karst geological and geoheritage projects and other related fields for conservation and sustainable development Karst areas.
• Surveying and drawing karst cave, establishing projects of planning and using sustainable karst cave.
• Investigation, survey and evaluation reserves and quality, consulting to formulate projects on rational exploitation and using of geological and mineral resources, water resources and geoheritage in karst areas.
• Cooperating with domestic and foreign organizations and individuals in organizing, implementing or participating in the implementation of programs, research scientific and technological projects on karst geology and geoheritage according to the regulations of law.
• Consultancy on the import and export of specialized equipment and materials, transfer of technologies in the field of karst geology and geoheritage.
• Participating postgraduate training, advanced training in karst geology and geoheritage.
• Manage organization, job position, staff and employees to perform regular tasks according to functions and assets under the management of the unit as assigned by the Director and the law.
• To perform the planning, accounting and settlement work of the dependent accounting units according to the regulations of law.
• Make statistics, report periodically and irregularly the performance of assigned tasks.
• To make other tasks assigned by the Director.

PART II – RESOURCES

2.1. Human resources

Cơ cấu tổ chức của Trung tâm gồm có:

Organization structure:

– Board of Director

– General administrative office

– Department of Scientific Research and Technology Deployment

– VIGMR-KIGAM Hub center of Carbon mineralization for Climate change mitigation

1. Board of Director

Board of Director includes 01 Director and 01 Vice Director

Director of Center: Do Thi Yen Ngoc

– Acedemic degree: Master 

– Major: Geography

– Career titles: Researcher level II

– Phone: 0982 973 498

– Email: yenngoc1968@gmail.com

– Awards:

• In 2010, Certificate of Merit (for contribution on processing building Dong Van karst pleteau Global Geopark), No. 4194/KT dated 29 December, 2010; People’s Committee of Ha Giang province.
• In 2014, Certificate of Merit of the Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ha Giang Province (For excellent achievements in building and development of Dong Van karst pleteau Global Geopark, period 2010-2014).
• In 2015, Certificate of Merit (Outstanding Achievement in 2014). Decision No. 1311/QD-BTNMT; June 2, 2015; Minister of Natural Resources and Environment.
• In 2016, Certificate of Merit of the President of Ha Giang Province for contributions to the development of Ha Giang Province for the period 2010-2015; Decision No. 644/QD-UBND dated 12/4/2016 of the President of Ha Giang province.

– Public projects:

1. Current status and zoning for landslide forecasting along some corridor sections of Ho Chi Minh Road, Proceedings of the Scientific Conference, Vietnam Union of Geological Sciences, 2005;

2. Types of slides in Hai Ham Pass, Song Bung Pass and Lo Xo Pass on Ho Chi Minh Road, Journal of Geology and Minerals, vol. 10, 2007;

3. Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark – Vietnam’s first global geopark and the geoheritage preservation; Journal of Earth Sciences, no. 33 (1); March 2011, 2010;

4. Geo-Cultural Heritage – Interference of Geological and Cultural Heritages. Case of Dongvan Geopark in Vietnam, The 3^rd Asia – Pacific Geoparks Network Jeju Symposium, 9/2013;

5. Mechanism of landslide formation on 649 island belonging to World Natural Heritage Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh province, Journal of Geology and Minerals, Vol.11, 2015;

6. The activity characteristics of the faults in the San Thang area (Lai Chau) based on the study of secondary structure, Journal of Geology and Minerals, vol.11, 2015;

7. Introducing some new discoveried cave in Halong Bay area – World Heritage Site, the Second National Conference of the Vietnam Museum of Nature System, VAST, March 2016, 2016;

8. Preliminary introdution on indigenous knowledge of geoheritage in Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark (Vietnam), The 5th Asia Pacific Geoparks Network(APGN) symposium in China, 2017;

– Other projects and tasks (Project leader)

1. Apply Fieldnote technology in surveying and mapping geological map. Pilot applied on Pho Lu – Bac Than Uyen map group.

2. Investigation, survey, demarcation, demarcation of some clusters of heritage sites in Dong karst pletau global geopark, Ha Giang province.

3. Editing, designing content for billboard and panel demonstration for some the heritage site in the periodic re-evaluation program of the Global Geopark network for Dong Van Karst pletau global geopark in 2014.

4. Editing the narrative content (presentations) introducing points and clusters of heritage in the periodic review program of Dong Van karst pletau global geopark in 2014.

5. Building process of studying tectonic deformation with a combination of small structural research methods for geological research and mineral exploration. Applying experiment in Song Da structural zone.

6. Investigation, survey and zoning boundary of heritage in Dong Van Karst pletaeu global geopark area.

7. Survey situation, defining cause of landslide in some site in Ha Long – Bai Tu Long Bay.

8. Survey, discorvering caves in Ha Long bay.

9. Studying, evaluating current status of lanslide, and erosion on embankment system of islands as a basis for the management, conservation and rational exploitation of the heritage values in service of sustainable socio-economic development Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long region.

10. State funding project: “Studying native knowleadge on geoheritage, contributing on improve community awareness, promote toursm in some geopark in Vietnam.

11. Research on the impact of artificial lighting on the development and invasiveness of plants in caves in Ha Long Bay, processing trials and proposing effective measures to handle and limit impacts. of the plants in the cave.

– Other projects (member)

1. Investigation and evaluation environment in Ha Long urban.

2. North Center structure techtonic mineralization.

3. Studying the hidden structure of the Ma River and the potential of the ore.

4. Studying geological and techtonical characteristics on Ho Chi Minh Road.

5. Surveying and assessing the current situation and risk of landslide in some sections of Ho Chi Minh Road and Highway 1A and proposing measures to ensure the traffic safety, production and daily life of the areas. residential.

6. Survey and assessment of underground water in the midland and mountainous areas in the North .

7. Reasearch geological structure and related minerals Au, Cu, Pb-Zn in Huong Hoa – Cu – De zone.

8. Survey and studying geoheritages and propose building geopark in the North of Vietnam.

9. Studying mordern geological, geomorphological and geodynamic processes in service of observation of changes in caves and islands in Ha Long Bay.

10. Studying, survey, investigation of outstanding geological, geomorphological values; and setting up heritage profile to submit to UNESCO to recognize the area of Trang An (Ninh Binh) as a World Heritage Site.

11. Research and selection suitable methods for investigating and assessing geohazard related to underground space system – Applying experiment in Lai Chau town.

12. Research and identify the causes of groundwater scarcity and pollution in some karst area in the Northeast, propose measures to protect and provide water for socio-economic development.

13. Studying scientific and practical basis and propose technical solutions for the storage of CO₂ in formation, geological structures in northern Vietnam.

14. Studying and implementation technology for substaiable exploitation resources in karst areas in Vietnam, apply expriment in some area belongs to Dong Van karst pleteau Global geopark, Ha Giang (Kawatech).

15. Investigation, survey, reasearch, evaluation potential global geopark (Gia Lai).

16. Investigating, surveying, studying, supplementing, evaluating and ranking heritage values, determining the scope and scale to compile dossiers for submission to UNESCO for the worldwide recognition of sulfur dioxide in Cao Bang province.

Vice diretor of center: Ms. Ngo Thi Thuy Huong

– Degree: Dr …..

– Major: Environment and and eco-poison

– Position: Researcher level II

– Mobile phone: 0917709596

– Email: ngothithuyhuong@gmail.com

– The award of Institute in five years: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

– Certificates of Merit from the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment for individuals with outstanding achievements in the work in 2016. Decision No. 1141 / QD-BTNMT dated 16 May 2017.

– The projects finished and the projects are carring out:

1. “Field-scale application of vetiver grass to mitigate dioxin contaminated soil at Bien Hoa Airbase” by supporting USAID.

2. Researching on the possibility of mitigating pollution of toxic chemicals/ dioxins of vetiver grass – Applying experiment at Bien Hoa airport “, 2016, Ministry of Science and Technology

3. Researching and assessmenting of bio-accumulation of heavy metals in some economic fish species in the basin of Nhue river – Day river and impacts on aquaculture in the river basin, 2012, The project of development National system about Science and Technology (Nafosted).

– Other projects:

1. Researching and applying DPSIR model proposed environmental monitoring parameters in lead zinc exploitation areas in Vietnam, applied experiment in Don district, Bac Kan province “, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, 2016.

2. Research on the transport of heavy metal carried out through the food chain in ecosystems of some lakes in Hanoi, Nafosted Fund, Ministry of Science and Technology, 2009-2013.

3. Researching on White Feces disease of Su shrimp (Penaeus monodon) and build a preventive treatment process: a component of researching the effects of toxic algae “(Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development: 2009-2010).

4. Environmental Monitoring and Early Warning in Aquaculture”, (the part of  UNDP project VIE / 97/030).

5. The effect of stable organic and heavy metals with the exchange of calcium of freshwater margarine (Margaritifera margaritifera) “(Upper Franconia Fisheries Fund, 2004-2008).

6. The eco- environment and fisheries resources survey which belongs to in Northern mountainous provinces “(Ministry of Fisheries 1997-1999).

– Pubilcation:

1. Truong, T. V., Neubert, K., Unger, P., Bui, T. Q., Ngo, H. T. T., Palm, H. W., & Kleinertz, S, 2017. Assessment of Epinephelus coioides (Hamilton, 1822) aquaculture systems in the Gulf of Tonkin, Vietnam, by using fish parasites. Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 1-12.

2. Ngo, H.T.T, Le, T.T., Le, H.T, 2016. Effects of heavy metal accumulation on the variation of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) activity in some economic fishes in Nhue-Day river basin. VNU Journal of Science: Natural Sciences and Technology, 32(1S): 83-95.

3. Truong, T. V., Palm, H. W., Bui, T. Q., Ngo, H.T.T., & Bray, R. A., 2016. Prosorhynchus Odhner, 1905 (Digenea: Bucephalidae) from the orange-spotted grouper Epinephelus coioides (Hamilton, 1822)(Epinephelidae), including Prosorhynchus tonkinensis n. sp., from the Gulf of Tonkin, Vietnam. Zootaxa, 4170(1), 71.

4. Ngo Thi Thuy Huong, Le Thu Ha, Bui Trong Tan, Nguyen Tran Hung, 2016. The assessment of relationship between physical and chemical factors of water environment, bottom sediment and the accumulation and fluctuation of metal heavy content which is in the bottom sediment of the Nhue-Day basin. Journal of Science, Hanoi National University: Natural Sciences and Technology, 32 (2): 33-46

5. Ngo, T. T. H., Tran, T. V., Le T. T., Dinh, V. H., Bui, T. T. and Nguyen, T. H., 2016. Potential application of vetiver grass in absorption, mitigation, and phytoremediation of soil contaminated with toxic chemicals and dioxins at Bien Hoa Airbase- the initial results. Journal of Toxicology (in Vietnamese), 14: 30-44.

6. Ngo T. T. H., Tran T. V., Paul T. and Nguyen H. M., 2015. Effectiveness of vetiver grass in phytostablization and/or phytoremediation of dioxin-contaminated soil at Bien Hoa airbase, Viet Nam – An overview and preliminary result. Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Vetiver (ICV-6), 5th – 8th May 2015, Danang City, Vietnam.

7. Ngo Thi Thuy Huong, Bui Trong Tan, Doan Thi Ngoc Huyen, Dinh Van Huy, 2015. The assessment the relationship between the physico-chemical factors and the fluctuations of heavy metal content of water which belong to in Nhue basin. The series of the research projects of Vietnam Institute for Geosciences and Minerals resources, vol. 11: 206-212.

8. Le, H.T and Ngo, H.T.T., 2014. Cd, Pb, and Cu in water and sediments and their bioaccumulation in freshwater fish of some lakes in Hanoi, Vietnam. Toxicol. Environ. Chem. 95(8): 1328-1337.

9. Ngo, H.T.T., Gerstmann, S., Frank, H., 2011. Subchronic effects of environment-like cadmium levels on the bivalve Anodonta anatina (Linnaeus 1758): I. Bioaccumulation, distribution and effects on calcium metabolism. Toxicol. Environ. Chem. 93(9): 1788-1801, ISSN: 0277-2248.

10. Ngo, H.T.T., Gerstmann, S., Frank, H., 2011. Subchronic effects of environment-like cadmium levels on the bivalve Anodonta anatina (Linnaeus 1758): II. Effects on energy reserves in relation to calcium metabolism. Toxicol. Environ. Chem. . 93(9): 1802-1814, ISSN: 0277-2248.

11. Ngo, H.T.T., Gerstmann, S., Frank, H., 2011. Subchronic effects of environment-like cadmium levels on the bivalve Anodonta anatina (Linnaeus 1758): III. Effects on carbonic anhydrase activity in relation to calcium metabolism. Toxicol. Environ. Chem. 93(9): 1815-1825, ISSN: 0277-2248.

12. Ngo, H.T.T., Gerstmann, S., Frank, H., 2009. Toxicity of Cadmium to the green alga Parachlorella kessleri: Producing Cd-loaded algae for feeding experiments. Toxicol. Environ. Chem. 91 (2): 279-288, ISSN: 0277-2248.

14. De Boeck, G., Ngo, T.T.H., Van Campenhout, K. and Blust, R., 2003. Metallothionein induction patterns in three freshwater fish during sublethal copper exposure. Aquat. Toxicol. 65 (4): 413-424, ISSN: 0166-445X.

15. Ngo, T.T.H., Do, D.H. and Tran, M.T., 1998. Qualitative composition of phytoplankton in environments fertilised with Night soil, N+P and N + P + Ca. Proceedings of the National Workshop on Aquaculture. Research Institute for Aquaculture No.1, Ministry of Fisheries, September 29-30. Pp 455-459.

Department and research fields

1. General Administration Department
2. Department of Scientific Research and Technological Development
3. VIGMR – KIGAM Climate Change Minimization Center

Staffs are graduated from in the country and international prestigious universities. They have accumilated a lot of experience in the field about geological-mineral research, karst geology, geological heritage, environment and other application technologies.

Members: 02 Doctors, 05 Masters, 9 BAs and collaborators from functional and research divisions of the Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral resources.

2.2. Kinh nghiệm nghiên cứu ( the experiences)

From 2010 up to now, the ledears and staffs of Viet Nam Center on Karst and Geoheritage have chaired and joined in:

– The total of projects is 18 including the projects at international level cooperated with Belgium, Germany, Korea, USA, etc, the projects which are the State level of the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the projects are basic level of Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources.

– Having job assignments, contracts, tasks of Committees and Departments of provinces with total 30.

– published 8 articles in international magazines, 20 articles in domestic magazines and 26 articles in international and domestic conferences.

– At the same time, the Center has published 04 works and joinedproduced 04 articles in books related to the research of the Vietnam Karst Center and the Geological Heritage, Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources, geological field.

2.3. Infrastructures and equipments

There are 6 rooms: D401, D402, D403, 104, 105, 705, 707, 708, 710 and computer system are equipped integration for wroking. The center has specialized equipment for researching such as camera, GPS, compass, sampling equipment, cave equipment, etc.

PART III – COOPERATION

3.1.         Domestic cooperation

Form 2010 up to now the Center has projects which cooperated with other officals:

– The Vietnam Institute of Geodesy and Cartography in the project “Building a geodesic and dynamic network on the fault areas in northern Vietnam to serve the natural hazard prediction”;

– Geology – Geography – Environment department of the Ha Noi University of Sciences in master training;

– Hanoi University of Natural Resources and Environment: “training cources of project managers for geological heritage”;

– Educating bachelor and master degree of Hanoi Open University;

– Educating bachelor and master degree of Hanoi University of Science and Technology;

– Quaternary organization – Geomorphology and Tectony organization

– The Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Cao Bang Province according to the Contract “Assessment and classification of geological heritage categories to selecte some heritage geological points to zoning which is preserved and promoted the value of geological heritage in Cao Bang geopark “;

– The Management of Trang An, Ninh Binh according to the project: “Researching, investigating and surveying outstanding values of landscape, geology, geomorphology and preparation building the profile to submit UNESCO to recognize Trang An area where is the complement of World Heritage Site and ” additons the management plan of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage Complex of Trang An in the period of 2015-2020″;

– The Management of Global Dong Van Geopark in the following tasks:

• Buliding a profile for submission to UNESCO for recognition of the Global Geopark in 2010
• Organize training to improve the capacity of geological park field and geological heritage field
• Support the development, editing of reports, contents of tables, charts, tourist maps, leaflets to introduce the heritage values for periodical appraisal of UNESCO Dong Van Karst Pleatue Global Geopark in 2014 and, 2018 “.
• Investigation, survey to delineate a boundary and define the landmark of some natural heritage complexs in Dong Van Karst Pleatue Global Geopark, Ha Giang Province (2015)

– The management of Cao Bang Geopark carried out the tasks following bellow:

• Building the profile of Cao Bang Geopark
• Editorial content, design of tables, charts, information series, leaflets, Spring-water Cao Bang Geopark book
• Organize training to improve the capacity of geological park field and geological heritage field
• Supporting the appraisal of profield and documentation for the appraisal of the UNESCO Global Geopark network

– Tiểu ban Chuyên môn Địa chất thuộc Ủy ban UNESCO Việt Nam trong “Phát triển và quản lý mạng lưới công viên địa chất ở Việt Nam”.

– BQL Vịnh Hạ Long (Quảng Ninh) trong các nhiệm vụ sau:

– Geological Professional Sub-Committee of the UNESCO Vietnam Committee on “Development and management of the geological park network in Vietnam”.

– Ha Long Bay Management (Quang Ninh province) according to the tasks:

• Organizating training cources about geology and geomorphology for guides of Ha Long Bay management of the project (Official Letter No. 649 / VHL – NV September 19th, 2014);
• The survey of current situation, determine the cause of landslides in some areas of Ha Long Bay – Bai Tu Long; Proposing solutions to overcome and ensure the safety for the staffs of Ha Long Bay management project and tourists); (2015)
• The survey and discovery of caves in Ha Long Bay has defined 23 new caves, with 18 potential caves for scientific research and tourism (2015).
• To carry out the scientific task: “Researching the assessment of landslide and erosion of the island system is a basis on the management, conservation and useful exploitation of the heritage value for sustainable development of socio-economic in Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long (2016-2018)
• Building and implement scientific tasks: “Research on the impact of artificial lighting affects the development and invasiveness of plants at caves in Ha Long Bay, trial treatment and proposing effective ways to solve this problem (2018-2020)

3.2. Forgein coopration

– Climate change Laboratory, high–tech spectrometry National Taiwan University;

– Cave organization, Tokyo, Japan;

– Global Geopark Network UNESSCO (GGN);

– Asia-Pacific Geopark Network (APGN);

– Belfast University, UK;

– Geographical Department, Indonesia University;

– Geological Department of Belgium;

– Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Rostock University, Germany;

– Geological Department, Education Department, Ghent University, Belgium;

– Department of Geology and Soil, Ghent University, Belgium;

– Berlin Cave organization, Germany;

– International Caves Association;

– Department of Geological Structures, Korea University;

– Karst Institute of Geology, Guilin, China;

– CCOP, Thailand;

– Institute of Researching Water, Norway (NIVA);

– Bayreuth University, Bayreuth, Germany;

– University of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Korea.

– National Secretary Department of Geological Park of Korea.

– US Geological Survey Department (USGS), USA.

Vietnam Center on Karst and Geological Heritage are pleasure and always ready to cooperate with you development together, organizations, enterprises and individuals from domestic country to foreign coutries.