To ensure the heritage endures

July 12, 2025 marks a historic milestone as the UNESCO World Heritage Committee officially recognized the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiet Bac complex of historical sites and scenic spots as a World Cultural Heritage site at its 47th session. Following the recommendations of the World Heritage Committee, local authorities and relevant units are actively implementing many comprehensive solutions aimed at preserving and effectively promoting the historical, cultural, and spiritual values ​​of the heritage site, so that Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiet Bac will endure alongside the nation's history, spreading the spirit of humanism and Vietnamese cultural identity in the contemporary era.

Outstanding global values

World Cultural Heritage Site: Complex of Monuments and Scenic Spots of Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiet Bac   Comprising 12 sites located across three provinces – Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh , and Hai Phong – with a core area of ​​525.75 hectares and a buffer zone of 4,380.19 hectares, all are interconnected within the story of Truc Lam Buddhism, founded by the Tran kings, especially Emperor Tran Nhan Tong, in the 13th century, making a unique and enduring contribution to humanity's cultural and spiritual heritage.

Yen Tu historical and scenic site complex ( Quang Ninh ).

Through a system of well-preserved temples, hermitages, pilgrimage routes, steles, woodblocks, and sacred sites stretching from Yen Tu to Vinh Nghiem and Con Son - Kiet Bac, this chain of heritage sites fully reflects the stages of development of Truc Lam Buddhism: from its founding to its institutionalization, and then to the periods of revival and succession.

The Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiet Bac complex of historical sites and scenic spots, recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site according to criteria (iii) and (vi), is evidence of the unique combination of state, religion, and people in forming the Vietnamese national identity; along with a sacred landscape formed through frequent and close interaction with nature and an ethical system based on love of peace, self-cultivation, tolerance, compassion, and harmony between man and nature. This is entirely consistent with UNESCO's core objective of promoting the common values ​​of humanity regarding peace, reconciliation, harmony, and harmonious coexistence, especially in the context of the current global crisis.

Panoramic view of Vinh Nghiem Pagoda (Bac Ninh province). Photo: Contributor.

This inscription affirms the international appreciation for the outstanding global value of the heritage and the noble humanistic ideals of Truc Lam Buddhism founded by Emperor Tran Nhan Tong, as well as the efforts of local communities in preserving and protecting the heritage. The role and status of the heritage are enhanced internationally, contributing to enriching Vietnam's distinctive culture and creating favorable conditions for the sustainable preservation and promotion of its value.

Con Son Pagoda (Hai Phong City). Photo: Contributor

Mr. Jonathan Wallace Baker, Head of UNESCO's Representative Office in Vietnam, affirmed: The global value of the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiet Bac complex of historical sites and scenic spots is particularly significant because it represents Vietnam both spiritually and in terms of national identity. It is the birthplace of Truc Lam Buddhism, representing the way national identity was formed by combining Buddhism and spiritual values, and is crucial to the formation of the Vietnamese state. Therefore, UNESCO recognizes this site as truly exceptional and possessing outstanding global value, both for Vietnam and for the world.

Strengthening connections to protect and promote the value of heritage.

Eleven years after the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex was recognized, Vietnam has now acquired its ninth World Heritage site: the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiet Bac Complex of Monuments and Scenic Landscapes. This is a special opportunity for the heritage site to be known, admired, honored, and protected by the whole world. The UNESCO World Heritage status opens up great opportunities for the development of cultural and spiritual tourism in the area, while also highlighting the need for collaboration between localities and sites to preserve, develop, and attract tourists from all over the world, commensurate with the potential and status of the heritage site.

Even before Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, and Kiet Bac were recognized as World Heritage Sites, local authorities had already made efforts to preserve and promote the value of these heritage sites in conjunction with tourism development. In Quang Ninh province alone, all three sites have had comprehensive conservation and development plans in place for over a decade.

Lan Pagoda - Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen Monastery is located on a mountain resembling a reclining unicorn, at the entrance to the central pagoda complex in Yen Tu. Photo: yentutunglam.com.vn

Mr. Le Trong Thanh, Deputy General Director of Tung Lam Development Joint Stock Company, a pioneering unit in developing according to the "heritage enterprise" orientation, and having been associated with Yen Tu for over 20 years, shared: In the coming time, the unit will continue to develop unique cultural tourism products associated with the nature and culture of Yen Tu, and with the life of Emperor Tran Nhan Tong, such as: Buddhist Museum, Tran Nhan Tong Museum, cultural village space at the foot of Yen Tu... At the same time, we will apply digital technology on pilgrimage routes to enhance the visitor experience, strengthen international cooperation to build product packages suitable for each market such as Taiwan, South Korea, China… contributing to promoting the heritage more widely.

According to the plan of the Ha Long Bay - Yen Tu World Heritage Management Board, in the core area of ​​Yen Tu, meditation experiences will continue to be developed in depth, leveraging Yen Tu's cultural strengths. Along with this, the application of digital technology in telling historical stories will be enhanced so that visitors can "see - hear - touch" history, instead of just reading signposts. Yen Tu annually hosts cultural events throughout the four seasons, such as spring festivals, light festivals, vegetarian food festivals, Zen music festivals, and traditional art festivals.

Ngoa Van Pagoda, located within the Tran Dynasty historical site. Photo: Le Dai (Contributor)

For Bac Ninh province, tourism development is also oriented as one of its key economic sectors, with the UNESCO-recognized heritage sites of Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiet Bac as the central focus. The locality plans to coordinate the development of inter-provincial and inter-city tourism routes: heritage pilgrimage tours, including Luy Lau, Dau Pagoda - Tay Yen Tu, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda; Yen Tu - Con Son, Kiet Bac; cultural and historical tours combining exploration of Quan Ho folk singing, traditional craft villages, archaeological sites with Buddhist relics and natural landscapes…

Hai Phong has also taken strong steps, starting with upgrading the organization of the Con Son - Kiet Bac Autumn Festival in 2025, aiming to both promote the value of the UNESCO-recognized heritage and contribute to affirming its position as an attractive cultural and tourist destination with rich identity in the region and the country. To connect the five historical sites in the area, Hai Phong is also developing new tourism products with themes such as: "One journey - 5 destinations", "Following in the footsteps of the Three Founders of Truc Lam", and "Exploring the Con Son - Kiet Bac World Heritage Site"...

Explaining the life and career of Emperor Tran Nhan Tong to Buddhist followers and tourists at Hue Quang Pagoda Garden in Yen Tu (Quang Ninh). Photo: Phan Hang

Recognizing that honor and pride always come with responsibility, localities continue to research and closely coordinate to build a unified heritage space, implementing synchronized measures to preserve and promote the value of the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiet Bac complex of historical sites and scenic spots in accordance with the spirit of the World Heritage Convention, linked to sustainable development, actively contributing to promoting the beauty of Vietnam and its people to the world.

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/de-di-san-mai-truong-ton-3389138.html