Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Mai Son received a delegation of international visitors to learn about Vinh Nghiem Pagoda

The delegation included Ambassadors, Heads of Representative Offices and members of international organizations in Vietnam; representatives of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy (Ministry of Foreign Affairs); Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and a number of affiliated units.

Receiving and working with the delegation were comrade Mai Son, Permanent Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Bac Giang province; representatives of the Provincial Buddhist Sangha Executive Committee; Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Ninh, Hai Duong and Bac Giang provinces.

Comrade Mai Son and the Spanish Ambassador experience woodblock printing.

Vinh Nghiem Pagoda - one of two relic sites (along with Bo Da Pagoda, Viet Yen town) of Bac Giang province selected to be included in the nomination dossier of the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac relic and scenic complex to be submitted to UNESCO for recognition as a world heritage site. The pagoda is a place to worship Buddha, train monks, and worship the Three Patriarchs of Truc Lam: Tran Nhan Tong, Phap Loa and Huyen Quang. This is the training center, defining titles for monks during the Tran Dynasty, the birthplace of the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect, playing a particularly important role in the history of Buddhism during the Tran Dynasty in particular and the history of Vietnamese Buddhism in general.

Delegates learned about the cultural and historical value of the woodblocks recognized by UNESCO as a Documentary Heritage under the Asia-Pacific Memory of the World Program.

The international delegation visited the items and works at Vinh Nghiem Pagoda such as: Tam Quan, Tam Bao, the first ancestor's house, the second ancestor's house, the bell tower, the house to preserve and display woodblocks; participated in experiencing some activities: Buddhist rituals, carving and printing woodblocks...

Through the introduction of the professional staff and abbot of Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, the members of the delegation were impressed by the scale, landscape, historical and cultural values ​​of the relic, especially the woodblock warehouse that has been recognized by UNESCO as a Documentary Heritage under the Memory of the World Program in the Asia-Pacific region.

The woodblock set with 3 thousand woodblocks from the 16th-19th centuries contains information in many fields such as: Sutras, books, documents on Buddhist precepts and some works on poetry, prose, diaries... of some eminent monks of the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect.

Speaking here, comrade Mai Son emphasized: Vinh Nghiem Pagoda is a large ancient pagoda with unique historical, cultural and architectural artistic values; playing a particularly important role in the history of Buddhism during the Tran Dynasty in particular and the history of Vietnamese Buddhism in general.

He thanked the international delegates for coming to learn and experience the local culture, thereby introducing and promoting Bac Giang cultural heritage to members of the World Heritage Council. At the same time, he hoped that the delegation members would grasp and objectively and truthfully evaluate the beauty and outstanding values ​​of the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac relic and landscape complex to support the nomination dossier for the relic and landscape complex to be recognized as a world heritage.

Delegates take souvenir photos.

On this occasion, international delegates will visit and learn about the relics and scenic spots of Kiep Bac, Con Son (Hai Duong); Yen Tu (Quang Ninh). Activities within the program "Learning about Vietnam Day 2025" organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam in coordination with the People's Committees of Quang Ninh, Bac Giang and Hai Duong provinces on May 16 and 17 at the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac relics and scenic spots complex.

This is an annual event organized by the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2015 to update the country's foreign policies and socio-economic achievements, while promoting Vietnamese culture to diplomatic corps and international organizations in Vietnam. This year's program also aims to promote the nomination of the Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son-Kiep Bac relic and landscape complex to UNESCO for recognition as a world heritage site.

Le Thanh - Thu Thuy

Source: https://baobacgiang.vn/pho-chu-tich-thuong-truc-ubnd-tinh-mai-son-tiep-doan-khach-quoc-te-tim-hieu-chua-vinh-nghiem-postid418152.bbg