UNESCO expert team surveys and assesses Bach Dang Stake Field

The delegation conducted on-site surveys and assessments at the Bach Dang Museum; Yen Giang Stake Field; Dong Van Muoi Stake Field; and Dong Ma Ngua Stake Field. They listened to reports from representatives of the Quang Yen Town People's Committee and provincial departments and agencies regarding the implementation of the work to prepare the dossier for submission to UNESCO for recognition of the Bach Dang Stake Fields within the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiet Bac Complex of Historical and Scenic Sites in the three provinces of Quang Ninh, Bac Giang , and Hai Duong as a World Heritage Site.

A team of international experts from UNESCO/ICOMOS conducts a survey and assessment at the Bach Dang Museum (photo: Quang Yen Town Information and Culture Center).

According to Ichita Shimoda, a Japanese international consultant, the nomination dossier for the Bach Dang Historical Site within the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiet Bac complex of historical sites and scenic spots for recognition as a World Heritage Site must meet the technical requirements guided by the World Heritage Convention.

To demonstrate the value of the site within the heritage complex, it is necessary to synthesize, clarify, and write a narrative about the site's value. This narrative should clearly identify the reasons for including the Bach Dang Stake Fields in the dossier, analyze the significance, outstanding global value, and integrity of the site in relation to other sites within the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiet Bac complex of historical and scenic sites submitted to UNESCO for recognition as a World Heritage Site.

According to Ms. Ichita Shimoda, to ensure the completeness of the dossier, it is necessary to supplement it with images of the heritage site complex in the correct size, standards, and regulations; at each site, there must be a planning map, a map delineating the protected area, with boundary markers, delineated areas, descriptions of the current area, calculations for buffer zone planning, and determination of management mechanisms; a system of specialized reports and drawings; a system of relevant legal documents; and a system of photographs of the nominated heritage site and buffer zone... The quality, content, and components of the dossier must comply with the guidelines for implementing the 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention.

A team of international experts from UNESCO/ICOMOS conducts a survey and assessment at the Yen Giang pile field (photo: Quang Yen Town Information and Culture Center).

This is a trial assessment by the ICOMOS expert team to provide direct advice on completing the dossier, before the official assessment by UNESCO experts at the end of August for the nomination of the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiet Bac complex of historical sites and scenic spots to UNESCO for recognition as a World Heritage Site.

After a long period of construction, preparation, and completion, on January 26, 2024, the scientific dossier for the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiet Bac complex of historical sites and scenic spots was submitted to UNESCO for consideration as a World Heritage Site. The dossier was prepared by the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province, in coordination with the People's Committees of Bac Giang and Hai Duong provinces. The dossier comprises 2,139 pages of documents in Vietnamese and English translations, 101 diagrams and maps, 196 architectural drawings, 260 archaeological drawings, and 1,141 photographs, recreating the historical, cultural, architectural, intangible, and tangible heritage values, as well as a comprehensive management plan covering the three provinces of Quang Ninh, Hai Duong, and Bac Giang.

This scientific dossier, submitted according to numerous criteria under the 1972 Convention, involved research, proof, and writing carried out rapidly, actively, and urgently. To prove, declare, and affirm the value of the complex, the three provinces of Quang Ninh, Bac Giang, and Hai Duong simultaneously directed the implementation of research methods to prove, synthesize, clarify, and write the narrative about the value of the Yen Tu historical complex. This included organizing numerous international workshops and conferences to determine the outstanding global value of the Yen Tu complex, conducting specialized scientific research, collecting and synthesizing documents, and organizing excavations and archaeological research.

The dossier involved over 100 experts from various fields of research, dossier writing, and the invitation of international experts to conduct surveys and work with domestic experts to build the dossier. This included many leading experts from the Vietnam Archaeological Society, UNESCO, the Karst and Geological Heritage Center, and others.

This is the first heritage dossier in Vietnam, comprising a series of 18 heritage clusters with 32 historical sites across multiple provinces, covering a vast area with complex mountainous terrain.

In its response, UNESCO stated that the nomination dossier for the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiet Bac complex of monuments and scenic spots met all the technical requirements outlined in the World Heritage Convention. It also requested additional images of the complex, conforming to the specified size, standards, and regulations. The dossier will also be sent simultaneously to the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). Based on the dossier's assessment, UNESCO agencies have dispatched a team of experts to conduct a site survey and evaluation.

According to the online newspaper Tổ Quốc.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/doan-chuyen-gia-cua-unesco-khao-sat-tham-dinh-thuc-dia-bai-coc-bach-dang-post385804.html