Lang Son, Feb. 25 -- Nestled within the Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark, Huu Lien commune has reinvented itself, from a remote and agriculture-dependent area framed by rugged limestone terrain into a fast-rising tourism hub where ethnic communities are seeing steady gains in income and living standards without compromising the environment.

A fresh tourism model in the highlands

Huu Lien now features more than 250 rock-climbing routes, ranging from 5a for beginners to 9a for elite climbers, drawing young adventurers and international visitors alike. The commune's "awakening" has turned geological heritage into a durable livelihood for local ethnic groups while preserving its pristine landscape.

The shift began in 2012, when VietClimb fou...