Vietnam's mark on the global heritage map.

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee is reviewing the dossier for the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiet Bac complex of historical sites and scenic spots. (Source: VOV)

On July 12th, at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, Professor Nikolay Nenov, Chairman of the session, officially struck the gavel to inscribe the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiet Bac complex of historical sites and scenic spots as a World Cultural Heritage site.

In honoring Vietnam's new heritage, UNESCO clearly stated that the ideological and cultural values of Truc Lam Buddhism are entirely consistent with UNESCO's fundamental goal of maintaining and enriching the common values of humanity: education, building a culture of peace ; a spirit of self-reliance, harmonious integration between humanity and the natural world, and respect for the laws of nature.

Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu, Chairman of the Vietnam National UNESCO Committee, stated that UNESCO highly appreciates the humane and peaceful ideals of Truc Lam Buddhism, as well as Vietnam's efforts in protecting the heritage. This recognition contributes to enhancing the international standing and creating favorable conditions for the sustainable preservation and promotion of the heritage's value.

Connecting Vietnamese spirituality

As Vietnam's second inter-provincial World Heritage site and ninth World Heritage site, the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiet Bac complex of historical sites and scenic spots spans three localities (present-day Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, and Bac Ninh) with its core value being the Truc Lam Buddhism founded by Emperor Tran Nhan Tong in the 13th century.

Truc Lam Buddhism represents a system of Buddhist philosophy and spirit of tolerance and altruism. Through temples, hermitages, pilgrimage routes, stone steles, woodblock prints, and meticulously preserved relics distributed across a vast area from Yen Tu to Vinh Nghiem, Con Son, and Kiet Bac, the heritage fully reflects the stages of development of Truc Lam Buddhism, from its establishment and institutionalization to its revival and continued dissemination of creative and humanistic values.

Speaking to TG&VN, Professor Nguyen Chi Ben, former Director of the Vietnam Institute of Culture, Arts, Sports and Tourism (formerly the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts), said that this space witnesses and preserves the imprints of wise rulers, famous generals, and communities that contributed to historical victories. This space is not only sacred in Buddhist beliefs but also blends with folk beliefs such as the worship of Saint Tran, creating a rich and unique cultural and spiritual space.

"Notably, this heritage site encompasses many intangible values, from rituals and religious practices to festival systems, legends, and community memories. While recognized as a tangible world heritage site, this complex is rich in intangible elements, something not all heritage sites possess," he affirmed.

Vietnam's mark on the global heritage map.

Dong Pagoda is located on the summit of Yen Tu Mountain, Quang Ninh province. (Photo: Khac Huong)

A journey of perseverance

Beyond its unique value, the story of the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiet Bac complex of historical sites and scenic spots being inscribed as a World Heritage site is also a journey of many efforts in building and perfecting the inter-provincial nomination dossier in a meticulous and systematic manner over more than 13 years, from 2012 to 2025.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hanh, Vice Chairman of the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee, Deputy Head of the Steering Committee, and Head of the Executive Board for the construction of the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiet Bac heritage dossier, stated that the inscription of the heritage complex is primarily the result of localities closely following and effectively implementing the directives of the Party and State leaders, specifically General Secretary To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and the Deputy Prime Ministers...

According to Ms. Hanh, today's achievement reflects the combined strength and close, effective coordination between localities and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Council for Cultural Heritage, and Vietnamese experts participating in the World Heritage Committee, the Vietnam National UNESCO Committee, and the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to UNESCO in coordinating information, promptly connecting and working with specialized agencies of UNESCO, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), and the World Heritage Committee. In addition, the special assistance of the UNESCO Representative Office in Vietnam and international experts in the field of expertise in completing the dossier, providing explanations, and effectively implementing recommendations was also crucial.

Notably, this is the first nomination dossier in Vietnam to be developed as a multi-province, chain heritage site, with relics located across a vast area with complex mountainous terrain and rivers. The first two years of dossier preparation took place amidst the complicated Covid-19 pandemic, but the three provinces still managed to conduct archaeological excavations at several sites within their territories, thereby adding valuable information to the heritage dossier. The process of collecting information, documents, and conducting research since 2020 also proceeded simultaneously with the development of the heritage dossier, going through many steps until its official completion to meet UNESCO's increasingly stringent review requirements.

Vietnam's mark on the global heritage map.

Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, formerly Bac Giang province, now Bac Ninh province. (Source: Vietnam National Administration of Tourism)

It is evident that the journey to protect heritage dossiers presents many new challenges, but Vietnamese delegations have never given up, always demonstrating high determination to exchange information and further clarify the outstanding universal values of the heritage. Most recently, from June 10-17, Quang Ninh organized a delegation led by provincial leaders to participate with the delegation of the Vietnam National UNESCO Committee in a trip to France to campaign for the nomination of the heritage complex dossier.

Previously, from May 16-17, localities also coordinated with the Vietnam National UNESCO Committee to organize the "Vietnam Awareness Day 2025" program, and invited diplomatic delegations in Vietnam to visit, promote, and introduce the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiet Bac complex of historical sites and scenic spots, in order to lobby for the nomination dossier.

Speaking about this journey, Associate Professor Dr. Le Thi Thu Hien, Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage, Standing Member of the National Council of Cultural Heritage, and Head of the Vietnamese expert group participating in the World Heritage Committee, emphasized: “That journey was not without difficulties, including the recommendation to return the dossier right before the Session. However, over the past 10 years, the Vietnamese Government has paid special attention to and promoted research at the heritage site until today's success.”

Vietnam's mark on the global heritage map.

The Con Son - Kiet Bac historical site, formerly in Hai Duong province, now Hai Phong city. (Source: ictvietnam)

Great responsibility

World Heritage status marks the beginning of a new journey: protecting, promoting, and inspiring; demonstrating Vietnam's commitment and responsibility in preserving world heritage sites not only in Vietnam, safeguarding them for the present and passing them on to future generations.

Speaking to TG&VN, Ms. Le Thi Hong Van, Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and Secretary General of the Vietnam National UNESCO Committee, affirmed that the inscription of the World Heritage site will create favorable conditions for the sustainable preservation and promotion of heritage values; at the same time, it will help strengthen regional linkages between Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, and Bac Ninh, build a unified heritage space, and contribute to promoting the image of Vietnam and its people.

“This is another contribution from Vietnam to the goal of preserving and promoting heritage values that UNESCO is advocating. Vietnam, as a member of the World Heritage Committee for the 2023-2027 term, is making increasingly active contributions to the implementation of the Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.”

Ms. Le Thi Hong Van emphasized that honor and pride always come with responsibility, requiring all levels, sectors, and localities to raise awareness and implement practical and effective measures to preserve and promote the value of heritage in accordance with the spirit of the World Heritage Convention and sustainable development.

Heritage will not be forgotten if it remains present in the lives and spirits of the people. With its special values recently recognized by UNESCO, the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiet Bac complex of historical sites and scenic spots will make a significant contribution to the socio-economic development of the locality, contributing to environmental protection, green and sustainable growth, thereby promoting Vietnamese culture, country, and people to the world and enriching the treasury of human culture.

Connecting Vietnamese spirituality

A journey of perseverance

Great responsibility

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