Introducing the ambassadors to the landscape of Truc Lam Zen Monastery through paintings. (Photo: Thu Ha/VNA)
On June 16, at the Vietnam Cultural Center in France, the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in coordination with the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province, organized an event to promote the cultural, historical and spiritual values of the Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son-Kiep Bac relic and landscape complex.
This complex is being nominated for recognition as a World Cultural Heritage at the 47th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris next July.
The special event is part of Vietnam’s efforts to make the Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son-Kiep Bac Monuments and Landscape Complex a World Cultural Heritage Site. It is also the result of 13 years of research, preparation and continuous cooperation between scientists , heritage experts and the authorities of the three provinces of Quang Ninh, Bac Giang and Hai Duong.
Attending the event were Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chairman of the National Commission for UNESCO Nguyen Minh Vu; Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province Nguyen Thi Hanh; Most Venerable Thich Thanh Quyet, Vice Chairman of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Abbot of Yen Tu Pagoda; Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang; Ambassador, Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to UNESCO Nguyen Thi Van Anh...
On the international side, there were Professor, Dr. Nikolay Nenov, Chairman of the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee, along with ambassadors, heads of delegations and experts from many member countries of the World Heritage Committee.
Speaking at the event, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu emphasized that the nomination dossier is the result of 13 years of research, conservation and cooperation efforts between scientists, heritage experts and the authorities of the three provinces of Quang Ninh, Bac Giang and Hai Duong. Heritage is not only historical evidence but also demonstrates spiritual depth, connecting people with nature, an element that makes up the Vietnamese identity.
Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu affirmed that Vietnam has seriously accepted the opinions and recommendations of the UNESCO World Heritage Center and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) on clarifying the outstanding global values of heritage and the work of heritage management and conservation.
Vice Chairwoman of the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thi Hanh said the heritage is a sacred cultural landscape planned in a synchronous manner with hundreds of pagodas, temples, towers and ancient relics, spread across 3 provinces, connecting into a unified entity both in space and spirituality. The Vice Chairwoman affirmed the commitment of the 3 provinces involved in preserving and honoring the values of the heritage.
Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the National Commission for UNESCO Nguyen Minh Vu speaks at an event to promote and advocate for the Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son-Kiep Bac Relic Complex to be recognized as a World Heritage Site. (Photo: Thu Ha/VNA)
The Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son-Kiep Bac relic and scenic complex includes 525.75 hectares of core area and 4,380.19 hectares of buffer zone, spread across 3 provinces of Quang Ninh, Bac Giang and Hai Duong. This is an inter-provincial nomination dossier of Vietnam, with special religious, cultural and historical significance, having existed for more than 700 years and becoming a living cultural heritage.
This heritage complex is not only ancient architectural works but also a living testament to the birth and development of Truc Lam Buddhism - a unique Zen sect of Vietnam, founded by Buddhist Emperor Tran Nhan Tong in the 13th century.
According to Most Venerable Thich Thanh Quyet, Vice President of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and Abbot of Yen Tu Pagoda, the unique feature of Truc Lam Buddhism lies in the fact that it is the only Buddhist Zen sect in the world founded by a reigning king, when Tran Nhan Tong voluntarily abdicated to become a monk.
Truc Lam blends Mahayana Buddhism with Confucianism, Taoism, Vietnamese cultural traditions and indigenous beliefs, creating a unique spiritual and philosophical identity, demonstrating a rare intersection between religion, governance and culture, promoting the values of peace, harmony and reconciliation.
Venerable Thich Thanh Quyet expressed: "Vietnam is proud to have an emperor in the Tran Dynasty, a wise king, a hero of national liberation who at the age of 30 became a Buddhist monk, went to Yen Tu mountain to practice and became a Buddha there. Especially, he founded Truc Lam Buddhism, a new ideology."
The influence of Truc Lam goes beyond the national scope, spreading regionally and globally. Currently, Truc Lam Buddhism has more than 30 million followers, 50,000 monks and nuns and 15,000 pagodas in more than 30 countries such as Korea, India, the US, the UK, Japan and many other countries. In France, the most prominent is Truc Lam Paris Pagoda and in the US, there is the Tran Nhan Tong Peace Prize.
The 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee will take place in Paris in July 2025, which will be the decisive moment for the nomination dossier. In the context of the current turbulent world, the thoughts of Emperor Tran Nhan Tong on peace, reconciliation and harmony still have profound contemporary significance. Vietnam hopes that the dossier will be welcomed and inscribed, contributing to the preservation of a valuable heritage not only for Vietnam but also for the international community.
2025 also marks the 80th anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, further highlighting the special significance of this effort. Vietnam is entering a new era with aspirations for development based on knowledge, innovation and national ambition, in which culture and heritage are always considered the spiritual foundation of society.
The delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province worked with leaders of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, along with Ambassadors, Heads of Delegations and experts from many member countries. (Photo: Thu Ha/VNA)
Sharing with VNA reporters in France, Ambassador and Head of the Indian Delegation to UNESCO Vishal V. Sharma expressed his confidence in the success prospects of the dossier: "I have visited Yen Tu Mountain and witnessed the preparations and facilities there. I myself believe that Vietnam will succeed."
He particularly emphasized the value of meditation: "The most wonderful thing is meditation. I encourage everyone, young or old, in life to take time to sit down, close your eyes and breathe, listen to the voice of silence."
The success of this dossier is not only meaningful for Vietnam but also contributes to the treasure of spiritual cultural heritage of humanity, demonstrating the values of peace, compassion and harmony that the modern world is in great need of.
As Venerable Thich Thanh Quyet said: "If UNESCO recognizes this, it will be a source of national pride" - not only for Vietnam but also for the international community in preserving and honoring the fine cultural values of humanity./.
(Vietnam News Agency/Vietnam+)
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/hanh-trinh-yen-tu-vinh-nghiem-con-son-kiep-bac-van-dong-thanh-di-san-the-gioi-post1044631.vnp
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