Ninh Binh: Ceremony to receive the National Monument Ranking Certificate for Co Le Pagoda

Delegates attending the Reception Ceremony

Attending the welcoming ceremony were comrade Dang Xuan Phong, member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation; comrade Le Hai Binh, alternate member of the Party Central Committee, Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism ; comrade Dinh Thi Lua, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; comrade Le Quoc Chinh, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; comrade Pham Quang Ngoc, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; comrade Mai Van Tuat, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee.

Leaders of Ninh Binh Provincial Party Committee presented flowers to congratulate the Party Committee, Government and People of Co Le Commune. (Photo: Ninh Binh Newspaper and Radio and Television)

At the ceremony, Deputy Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) Pham Dinh Phong announced the Prime Minister's Decision; Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Hai Binh awarded the Certificate of ranking the Co Le Pagoda as a special national relic to the local Party Committee, government and people.

Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Hai Binh awarded the Certificate of National Special Monument ranking to Co Le Pagoda
for the local Party Committee, Government and People. (Photo: Ninh Binh Newspaper and Radio and Television)

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Tran Song Tung - Vice Chairman of Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee affirmed: In the coming time, Ninh Binh province will continue to closely coordinate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, specialized agencies, scientists and local people to contribute to preserving and promoting the value of Co Le Pagoda in a sustainable manner. We aim to both preserve and develop tourism and spiritual culture, contributing to promoting local socio-economic development.

The fact that Co Le Pagoda was recognized by the Prime Minister as a special National Monument is a great honor and a source of deep pride for the Party Committee, government and people of Ninh Binh province in general and the Party Committee and people's government of Co Le commune in particular. This is not only a recognition of historical, cultural and architectural values but also demonstrates the spirit of preserving, maintaining and promoting national culture./.

Co Le Pagoda is one of the 10 special National Monuments in Ninh Binh province. Through many historical ups and downs, the pagoda still retains its majestic and ancient features, a symbol of faith, compassion and goodwill.

Co Le Pagoda (also known as Than Quang Tu) was built during the Ly Dynasty (12th century) by Saint Nguyen Minh Khong. This is one of the famous landscapes in Vietnam. In the early 20th century, Venerable Thich Quang Tuyen, together with the people and followers, rebuilt the pagoda in the style of "Zen gate on the basis of national culture, the East combined with Western culture" including the "nine-grade lotus" tower. Co Le Pagoda is not only a center of religious activities but also a "red address" of the revolution that left its mark with 27 monks taking off their cassocks and wearing military uniforms to go to battle, a testament to the patriotic tradition that has been preserved and spread throughout the history of the nation. The annual Co Le Pagoda Festival is a unique spiritual cultural feature that demonstrates the spirit of solidarity, pride and attachment of the community to the cultural roots of the nation.

With its outstanding values, in 1988, Co Le Pagoda was ranked as a National Architectural and Artistic Monument by the Ministry of Culture (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism). On September 11, 2025, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 1959/QD-TTg on ranking Co Le Pagoda as a special National Monument.

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Source: https://vhtt.ninhbinh.gov.vn/vi/su-kien/ninh-binh-to-chuc-le-don-nhan-bang-xep-hang-di-tich-quoc-gia-dac-biet-chua-co-le-1598.html