Prioritize preserving the original values ​​when restoring Doi Son Pagoda.

(CLO) The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MOCST) has requested Ninh Binh province not to construct any new buildings in Zone II of the Doi Son Pagoda relic site.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has recently submitted a document providing feedback on the planning document for the preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of the Doi Son Pagoda (Long Doi Son Pagoda), a special national historical site in Ninh Binh province, until 2030, with a vision to 2050.

In official letter No. 172/BVHTTDL-DSVH, Deputy Minister Hoang Dao Cuong requested the Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee to direct the revision and supplementation of the historical site planning dossier according to the Ministry's comments from May 2025.

Doi Son Pagoda, built during the Ly Dynasty, is renowned as a "great scenic spot".

At the same time, the project includes archaeological exploration and excavation to provide a basis for proposing the location and scale of construction works to promote the value of the relics; a group of projects for architectural renovation in residential areas according to the regulations on construction management; and a direction for digitizing the relics to contribute to their preservation and promotion.

Notably, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism requested Ninh Binh province not to construct any new buildings within Zone II of the protected area of ​​the historical site. These include: the Museum of Buddhist Art of the Ly Dynasty, the Buddhist Art Exhibition House, the Ly Dynasty Art Exhibition House, and the Nun's Guesthouse.

This requirement reflects a clear viewpoint in heritage management: promoting the value of historical sites does not equate to increasing construction, especially in areas where the original landscape and cultural space are protected.

The reason is that Zone II of the protected area functions as a buffer zone, ensuring harmony between the historical site and the surrounding natural landscape and cultural environment. The dense construction of auxiliary structures, whether for exhibition or tourism purposes, poses a risk of distorting the historical space and affecting the integrity and authentic value of the site.

Doi Son Pagoda, built during the Ly Dynasty, is renowned as a "great scenic spot." Besides its natural beauty, important location, and original architectural and material relics, Doi Son Pagoda also preserves valuable historical documents that encapsulate the cultural essence of many dynasties, from folk knowledge to scholarly scholarship.

These include Buddhist scriptures and chants; funeral orations, prayers, offerings, and inscriptions; horizontal plaques, couplets, epitaphs, nameplates, poems, rhyming prose, and festivals – invaluable legacies that few places possess.

In addition, the pagoda also preserves many artifacts and groups of artifacts that have been classified as National Treasures, such as the Sung Thien Dien Linh stele and 6 statues of Kim Cang and Kinaras deities.

In 1992, Doi Son Pagoda was recognized as a national historical and cultural relic. In December 2017, Doi Son Pagoda was classified as a special national relic by a decision of the Prime Minister .

Source: https://congluan.vn/uu-tien-bao-ton-gia-tri-goc-khi-tu-bo-chua-doi-son-10327375.html