The Con Son-Kiep Bac historical site on its journey to becoming a World Heritage Site.

The ancient beauty of Thau Ngoc Bridge in Con Son Pagoda, part of the Con Son-Kiep Bac historical site. (Photo: Tuan Anh/VNA)

Recently, the leaders of the Hai Duong Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism stated that during the survey process for the scientific dossier to be submitted to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the recognition of the Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son-Kiep Bac Complex of Historical and Scenic Sites as a World Cultural Heritage site, experts from Vietnam and UNESCO both assessed that the Con Son-Kiep Bac Complex of Historical and Scenic Sites very well meets the criteria of a world heritage site, emphasizing the authenticity and integrity of the site.

This creates favorable conditions for the site to embark on its journey to becoming a World Heritage site, fulfilling the aspirations and pride of the Vietnamese people in general and the people of Hai Duong province in particular.

A land of spiritual significance and outstanding people.

The Con Son-Kiep Bac historical site (Chi Linh city) is known as an important cultural and spiritual destination in the hearts of every Vietnamese person.

The richness of tangible cultural values, combined with unique intangible cultural values expressed in festivals associated with historical sites, is the reason why this place attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.

The historical site comprises two main areas: Con Son Pagoda and Kiet Bac Temple.

While Con Son Pagoda is known as the ancestral site of the Truc Lam Zen sect and the place that preserves the life of the world-renowned cultural figure Nguyen Trai, Kiet Bac Temple is associated with the name of the national hero Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan and his miraculous feat of defeating the Mongol invaders three times.

Despite enduring historical changes, the relics and traditional festivals in Con Son-Kiep Bac have retained their original values and possess a special appeal.

Conservation efforts

In the autumn days of September 2022, Ms. Nguyen Thi Yen (from Yen Bai ) joined the bustling crowds at Kiet Bac Temple. Ms. Yen noticed that compared to 10 years ago, when she first visited, the historical site had undergone many changes. Besides its ancient and solemn appearance, the flower gardens, lawns, and trees were meticulously cared for, lush and vibrant.

Ms. Yen's sentiment reflects the opinions of the majority of tourists who have visited Con Son-Kiep Bac recently. This partly demonstrates the effectiveness of the heritage preservation efforts implemented by Hai Duong province over the years.

The Con Son-Kiep Bac historical site on its journey to becoming a World Heritage Site (image 2) Kiet Bac Temple is dedicated to the national hero Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan and his entire family. Currently, the temple houses five bronze statues of great cultural and spiritual value. (Photo: Thanh Dat/TTXVN)

Along with efforts to protect existing relics, Hai Duong has researched and restored architectural structures of historical sites, based on documents and archaeological findings.

According to Nguyen Truong Thang, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Hai Duong province, in implementing Decision No. 920/QD-TTg dated June 18, 2010, of the Prime Minister approving the overall planning of the Con Son-Kiep Bac historical site, Hai Duong has restored architectural works at Kiep Bac Temple and Con Son Pagoda.

The restoration work strictly adheres to the regulations of the Law on Cultural Heritage and the UNESCO World Heritage ranking criteria.

Deputy Head of the Con Son-Kiep Bac Relic Management Board, Le Duy Manh, added: “The relics have been restored and renovated in accordance with the relic systems recorded in the steles and historical documents. At the Con Son relic site, the bell tower, the Nine-Lotus Pavilion, the rear hall, the shrine of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, and the Bach Van hermitage have been restored. At the Kiep Bac relic site, the ceremonial hall, the main temple, and relics related to the Van Kiep estate of Saint Tran in the 8th century have been restored…”

In addition, Hai Duong province also pays attention to the preservation and upgrading of the Con Son Pagoda festival in January and the Kiet Bac Temple festival in August of the lunar calendar each year. Implementing the festival upgrading project since 2006, Hai Duong has restored rituals and performances honoring the Saints, the troop assembly on the Luc Dau River, and the commemoration ceremony for the death anniversary of Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan...

By 2012, Con Son-Kiep Bac had been classified as a Special National Historical and Architectural Art Monument. The Con Son Pagoda Festival and the Kiep Bac Temple Festival were recognized as National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Local authorities also actively and responsibly participate in the preservation of historical sites.

Le Loi is one of two communes with historical relics located within its boundaries. Mr. Nguyen Van Luan, Secretary of the Le Loi Commune Party Committee, shared: “We have directed the Commune People's Committee to annually coordinate with the Relic Management Board to organize the two spring and autumn festivals of Con Son-Kiep Bac well, including: assigning people to participate in performing rituals during the festivals, ensuring security and order, and maintaining environmental hygiene… At the same time, we have directed the Fatherland Front and other organizations to mobilize the people and members to raise awareness in preserving and promoting the values of the relics. Most recently, we have mobilized the people to support the plan to expand the road leading to Con Son-Kiep Bac.”

Promoting the values of historical sites.

Currently, the Con Son-Kiep Bac National Special Historical Site attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the country each year for sightseeing and worship. During the National Day holiday on September 2nd, 2022 alone, over 72,000 visitors came to the site.

To make this place a spiritual destination that attracts people nationwide, in addition to conservation efforts, Hai Duong has done a good job of disseminating information and promoting the value of the relics so that they can be further appreciated and developed.

Con Son-Kiep Bac historical site on its journey to becoming a World Heritage site (image 3) Commemoration ceremony marking the 720th anniversary of the death of National Hero Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan. (Photo: Manh Minh/VNA)

According to Nguyen Truong Thang, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Hai Duong province: "We also focus on training and professional development in cultural values, maintenance, preservation, and promotion of heritage values for officials at all levels and staff working at the Relic Management Board."

To enhance the value of the site, Hai Duong province, along with Quang Ninh and Bac Giang provinces, are currently urgently coordinating the preparation of a scientific dossier on the "Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son, Kiet Bac Complex of Historical Sites and Scenic Spots" to submit to UNESCO for recognition as a World Heritage Site.

By August 2022, the first phase of the dossier preparation had been completed. Recently, the leaders of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism agreed to adjust the dossier preparation schedule by 12 months compared to the approved plan in order to ensure the quality of the dossier.

According to Mr. Le Duy Manh, the Relic Management Board is also coordinating with the Vietnam Institute of Archaeology to conduct archaeological research, exploration, and excavation at Thanh Mai Pagoda, Huyen Thien Pagoda, and Sung Nghiem Pagoda in Chi Linh City. At the same time, they are coordinating with the Institute of Geology to survey all relics in Chi Linh related to the Van Kiet base and Van Kiet estate of Saint Tran in the 8th century.

Following expert recommendations, the Management Board has renovated the site, relocated stalls, and completed relevant documentation, especially archaeological excavation records at the Con Son-Kiep Bac site from 1972 to the present.

In addition, the unit has completed the creation of promotional signs and boards in English and Vietnamese on mass media, the Management Board's website, and its Fanpage to promote to the general public the value of the historical site, the famous figures, and the Chi Linh region associated with the Truc Lam Zen sect and the resistance against the Mongol invasion in the 8th century.

Hopefully, the complex of relics will soon be recognized as a World Heritage site. This would be a fitting title for the multifaceted values of the complex in general, and Con Son-Kiep Bac in particular.

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/di-tich-con-son-kiep-bac-trong-hanh-trinh-tro-thanh-di-san-the-gioi-post815662.vnp