Promoting the value of the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac relic and scenic complex in France

The event promoting the cultural, historical and spiritual values of the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son and Kiep Bac Monuments and Landscape Complex at the Vietnam Cultural Center in France in Paris, right before the 47th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, has a positive meaning in promoting the process of recognizing the World Cultural Heritage. The event was co-organized by the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to UNESCO in coordination with the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province.

The delegation worked with Director of the Lazare World Heritage Center Eloundou Assomo. Photo source: Provided by the delegation.

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. This is an inter-provincial nomination dossier of Vietnam, with special significance in terms of religion, culture and history, having existed for more than 700 years. This heritage complex is not only ancient architectural works but also a living proof of the birth and development of Truc Lam Buddhism, founded by Buddhist Emperor Tran Nhan Tong in the 13th century.

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. In the context of today's turbulent world, the thoughts of Buddhist Emperor Tran Nhan Tong on peace, reconciliation and harmony still have profound contemporary significance.

The nomination dossier is the result of 13 years of research, conservation and cooperation between scientists, heritage experts and the authorities of Quang Ninh province, Bac Giang province (now Bac Ninh) and Hai Duong province (now Hai Phong city). Heritage is not only historical evidence but also demonstrates spiritual depth, connecting people with nature, factors that make up the Vietnamese identity. In the process of completing the dossier, the provinces, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 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 universal value of heritage and the management and conservation of heritage.

Yen Tu image is promoted at the Vietnamese Cultural Center in France. Photo source : Provided by the working group

During the working trip, the delegation actively promoted, publicized, and advocated for the legal registration and recognition of the World Heritage Site of Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac at the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee. The delegation had meetings with 20 ambassadors, heads of delegations of member countries of the World Heritage Committee and the Bulgarian representative, Chairman of the Session to clarify the outstanding global values of the nomination dossier; requesting support, assistance, and facilitation for the registration of the World Heritage Site at the 47th Session.

The delegation worked with the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, the Ambassador of Italy, the Ambassador of Argentina, the Director of the World Heritage Center Lazare Eloundou Assomo, the Director General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay, the Ambassador of Belgium, the Ambassador of Bulgaria, the Ambassador of India, the Chargé d'Affaires of Mexico, the Ambassador of Mexico, the Ambassador of Japan, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan, the Ambassador of Qatar, the Ambassador of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Ambassador of Lebanon, the Ambassador of Greece, the Ambassador of Kenya, the Ambassador of Türkiye, the Chargé d'Affaires of Senegal, the Ambassador of Ukraine, the Ambassador of Rwanda. At the same time, the delegation also continued to meet with the Director General of ICOMOS Marie Laure Lavenir and the Director of the ICOMOS Nominations Section Gwenaëlle Bourdin, at the ICOMO Headquarters; met with the President of the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee and attended the event organized by the Bulgarian Delegation before the Session.

At the meetings, leaders of UNESCO organizations and representatives of countries will continue to study and evaluate the dossier of the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac Monuments and Landscape Complex of Vietnam. At the same time, they affirmed that they will have a common voice to support the dossier. On this occasion, the working group also received many meaningful advice and suggestions.

The 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee will take place in Paris from July 6 to 16, 2025. This will be the decisive moment for the nomination dossier. The success of this dossier will not only be meaningful for Vietnam but also contribute 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. If UNESCO registers this, it will be a source of pride not only for Vietnam but also for the international community in preserving and honoring the beautiful cultural values of humanity.

Huynh Dang

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/quang-ba-gia-tri-quan-the-di-san-yen-tu-tai-phap-3365226.html