Prime Minister announces Vietnam's 9th world cultural heritage at Yen Tu

(NLDO)- This is a system of relics closely associated with the history, culture, religion and spiritual life of Vietnamese people for over 700 years.

On the evening of August 17, at Truc Lam Cultural Center in Yen Tu historical relic and scenic area, Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee coordinated with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (VCC) and Bac Ninh Province and Hai Phong City to organize the Ceremony to announce the outstanding global value of the World Cultural Heritage of Yen Tu, Vinh Nghiem, Con Son, Kiep Bac and the art program "Thanh am Yen Tu - A thousand-year heritage".

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the ceremony

The event marked a historical milestone when the complex was officially recognized as a World Cultural Heritage by the United Nations Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), affirming the stature and vitality of the Truc Lam Zen sect, a Zen sect with strong Vietnamese identity.

The Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son and Kiep Bac relic and landscape complex was officially recognized as a World Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee under Decision 47 COM 8B.22 dated July 23, 2025 in Paris (France).

This is the first chain heritage and the second inter-provincial heritage out of 9 World Heritages in Vietnam. The new heritage complex is spread across 3 localities of Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Bac Ninh with 12 typical relic sites and clusters, with a core area of over 525 hectares and a buffer zone of over 4,380 hectares, located on the Dong Trieu arc in Northern Vietnam.

This is a system of relics closely associated with the history, culture, religion and spiritual life of Vietnamese people for over 700 years.

At the ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that 11 years after Trang An was recognized as a World Heritage Site (2014), Vietnam is honored to have the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiep Bac Complex recognized by UNESCO as the country's 9th World Cultural Heritage.

This is the first chain heritage dossier, inter-provincial, which went through a difficult construction process in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, but with consensus and high determination, it has convinced UNESCO to evaluate and recognize it.

Thousands of people, monks and Buddhists attended the ceremony.

According to the Prime Minister, the Party Committee, government, and people of Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh, Hai Phong provinces, ministries, agencies, organizations, and individuals have closely coordinated and synchronously implemented solutions to overcome difficulties to research, develop, and complete the dossier. Organized and successfully defended the dossier to nominate the Yen Tu relic and landscape complex to be honored by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage.

To continue promoting the outstanding global values of the Yen Tu, Vinh Nghiem, Con Son, and Kiep Bac relic and scenic complex, the Prime Minister requested the Departments of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh provinces, and Hai Phong City to implement five key tasks and solutions.

Specifically, advise the Government to complete the legal framework, supplement regulations at the central and local levels to promptly handle arising issues. Clearly define the responsibilities of management agencies at all levels, ensure coordination with the community, and establish an advisory council that brings together relevant parties. Develop appropriate management plans for each heritage, such as the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiep Bac complex, associated with disaster response plans and visitor regulation. Link conservation work with tourism development and link with other heritages, meeting UNESCO's sustainable development goals. Promote image promotion, so that each citizen becomes a "cultural ambassador" to spread heritage values to international friends through cultural events and digital platforms.

The art program recreates the journey of King Tran Nhan Tong, the wise king who, after completing his mission to the country, chose Yen Tu to become a monk and found the Truc Lam Zen sect.

Mr. Pham Duc An, Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province, said that Quang Ninh province, Bac Ninh province and Hai Phong city seriously received and concretized the profound and comprehensive instructions and valuable orientations of the Prime Minister on promoting, preserving and spreading the unique values of the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son and Kiep Bac relic and scenic complex.

The three localities will promote a high sense of responsibility, proactively coordinate closely and synchronously in building and implementing plans to manage the heritage of the Yen Tu, Vinh Nghiem, Con Son and Kiep Bac relic and landscape complexes in accordance with legal regulations and the World Heritage Committee's Convention on the Protection of Cultural Heritage.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/thu-tuong-du-le-cong-bo-di-san-the-gioi-thu-9-cua-viet-nam-196250818094048582.htm