Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac complex becomes a world cultural heritage

The Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiep Bac relic and scenic complex was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage on July 12, at the 47th session of UNESCO taking place from July 6 to 16 in Paris, France.

Venerable Thich Thanh Quyet rings the bell at Yen Tu Pagoda, Quang Ninh - Photo: Yen Tu Pagoda

The relic and scenic complex of Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac is located in the provinces of Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh and Hai Phong city.

This is the 9th world heritage in Vietnam recognized by UNESCO and the 2nd inter-provincial world heritage in Vietnam, along with the world heritage Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba archipelago (in Quang Ninh province and Hai Phong city).

According to Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu and Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong, to achieve this success, for many years now, the system of relics and intangible cultural heritages of localities has received special attention from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the provinces through the implementation of many projects to preserve and restore relic works;

Research and identify values to prepare nomination and registration dossiers domestically and internationally; contribute to protecting the outstanding global values of heritage sites, creating sustainable livelihoods, improving the cultural and spiritual life of local communities and people.

Research and development of nomination dossiers requires high direction, determination and unity between the Central and local levels, between localities, between state management agencies, relic management agencies and consulting units, and between domestic and international experts.

In particular, in the two years (from 2020 - 2022), the COVID-19 epidemic situation directly affected the progress of implementing the contents of developing nomination dossiers.

Domestic experts cannot directly conduct surveys and work; inviting foreign experts to Vietnam to work with domestic experts to conduct field surveys, research and build scientific dossiers; organizing international meetings, seminars, conferences... cannot be done.

In addition, UNESCO's documentation requirements are increasingly difficult and strict, and on-site verification of authenticity by ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites, with advisory status to UNESCO) is extremely strict.

The work of preserving relics is still inadequate (some relics have been completely destroyed such as Quynh Lam Pagoda, Ngoa Van Pagoda, some relics have been and are preparing for investment in new construction). The current integrity is uneven, some are unclear about the scale of core zones, buffer zones...

Yen Tu Pagoda - Photo: Yen Tu Pagoda Fanpage

Vice Chairwoman of Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee, Deputy of Steering Committee - Head of the Executive Committee for the construction of the dossier of the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac relic and scenic complex Nguyen Thi Hanh said that the dossier was carefully and methodically built by Quang Ninh province with high quality.

After many years of efforts, the heritage has been officially recognized internationally. Quang Ninh province will continue to develop and implement a project to preserve, restore and promote the heritage value, to ensure sustainability and widely spread the noble value of the world heritage.

The moment of being listed is a great pride not only for the government and people of the three localities of Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh, Hai Phong, but also for the people of the whole country.

The Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiep Bac relic and scenic complex is the first chain-type world heritage site, and the second inter-provincial heritage site among the nine world heritage sites of Vietnam recognized by UNESCO.

The nomination dossier was completed with the active participation of central ministries and branches, three localities and the help of international experts in the field of heritage and culture such as Professor Shimoda (Japan), Professor Paul (New Zealand)...

The success of the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac relic and landscape complex being recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site is the result of more than ten years of persistent efforts, high consensus and close and effective coordination between all levels, sectors, Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh provinces and Hai Phong city, along with practical support from media agencies and businesses.

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VNA

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/quan-the-yen-tu-vinh-nghiem-con-son-kiep-bac-tro-thanh-di-san-van-hoa-the-gioi-20250712194047881.htm