The journey of Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac becomes a world cultural heritage

Hoa Yen Pagoda. Photo: Truc Lam

The arduous journey of making documents

Since 2013, Quang Ninh province has initiated a program to build a dossier to submit to UNESCO to recognize Yen Tu as a World Cultural Heritage. After consulting with experts, ministries, branches and the Government, Bac Giang and Hai Duong provinces have also joined.

By 2019, international experts assessed that the application only had potential and was not yet eligible for implementation. In 2020, when the program was restarted, the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, causing progress to stagnate again.

Mr. Nguyen Viet Dung - Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Ninh - said: “After the COVID-19 pandemic, it was not until 2023 - 2024 that the work of establishing and protecting the dossier was really re-started in a drastic manner. UNESCO and ICOMOS had stated that the dossier had not clarified the outstanding universal value, authenticity and continuity of the heritage cluster. In April 2025, I and the inter-provincial working group defended the dossier at UNESCO, at that time the dossier was at risk of being returned, having to wait 1 year or even 5 years to be re-submitted. This is an extremely big challenge, because we have been pursuing it for 13 years, making the dossier makers extremely worried”.

“The two dossier defenses in June and July 2025 were a turning point. We clearly demonstrated the "Three Harmonies" ideology of Truc Lam Buddhism, as well as the authenticity, continuity and outstanding global value of the heritage cluster. As a result, 20/21 member countries of the World Heritage Committee supported the approval," said Mr. Dung.

Yen Tu ancient pine road. Photo: Truc Lam

Global values from the "Three Harmonies" ideology and heritage clusters

Most Venerable Thich Thanh Quyet - Vice President of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Head of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Quang Ninh province - emphasized: "In world history, there are few kings like Tran Nhan Tong, who, at the peak of his glory, left the throne to return to Yen Tu to practice. He founded Truc Lam Buddhism for the people, for the country, for humanity and for peace. The Three Harmonies ideology of Truc Lam Buddhism has global value.

That is reconciliation, harmony, peace. Reconciliation is the resolution of all conflicts within the Tran dynasty, from family to court. Harmony is the unification of all contemporary ideological, belief, and religious systems, ethnic groups, and regions of the country at that time, to form a united, united nation, which defeated the Yuan-Mongol army three times, creating the heroic spirit of Dong A during the Tran dynasty. Peace is that after the great defeat of the Yuan-Mongol army, the country entered a period of peace; not only that, this victory also prevented war in surrounding countries, creating a relationship between Dai Viet and neighboring countries.

“The idea of Three Harmonies not only has historical significance, but over the past 700 years it has remained continuous, contributing to building sustainable peace. When defending the dossier before the Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), international ambassadors all supported it 100%, many ambassadors also expressed their wish that the idea of Three Harmonies be spread widely to build a peaceful world,” said the Venerable.

Results from perseverance

On July 12, 2025, at the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee, the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiep Bac Monuments and Landscape Complex was officially recognized as a World Cultural Heritage under Decision No. 47 COM 8B.22. This is the first chain-type World Cultural Heritage of Vietnam, and the second inter-provincial Heritage out of a total of 9 World Heritages of Vietnam recognized by UNESCO.

The process of building the dossier is a testament to the determination and close coordination between ministries, branches, localities, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, domestic and international scientists. Since 2020, when the Prime Minister directed to add Hai Duong province to the dossier, the three localities (Quang Ninh, Bac Giang, Hai Duong - now Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh and Hai Phong) have overcome difficulties in terms of epidemics and large terrain, organizing hundreds of meetings, seminars and dialogues at home and abroad.

Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee alone has sent 4 reports to explain and supplement information to UNESCO and ICOMOS (November 2024, February 2025, April 2025, June 2025). That perseverance and openness have contributed significantly to the recognition of the dossier.

The heritage recognized by UNESCO under criterion (iii) is a special testament to the unique combination between the state, religion and people in forming Vietnamese cultural identity, building national solidarity, and maintaining regional peace; Criterion (vi) reflects the global value of Truc Lam Buddhism - a religion originating from Yen Tu, with lasting influence, continuing to maintain rituals, pilgrimages, and scriptures both domestically and in the international community.

The event of UNESCO recognizing the Complex of Monuments and Landscapes of Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac as a World Cultural Heritage is a worthy recognition for the journey of more than a decade of perseverance, at the same time affirming Vietnam's position on the world heritage map, contributing to spreading the unique cultural and spiritual values of Truc Lam Buddhism to friends around the world.

Source: https://laodong.vn/van-hoa-giai-tri/hanh-trinh-yen-tu-vinh-nghiem-con-son-kiep-bac-tro-thanh-di-san-van-hoa-the-gioi-1565857.ldo