Vietnam has just had another World Heritage Site.

The Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son Kiep Bac complex was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site on the evening of July 12 in Paris (France).

A temple on Yen Tu mountain, viewed from above. Photo: Yen Tu Temple.

At approximately 6 PM on July 12th (Vietnam time), the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiet Bac complex of historical sites and scenic spots, located in the three provinces of Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh (formerly Bac Giang province) and Hai Phong (formerly Hai Duong province), was inaugurated as a World Heritage Site at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Paris (France).

This recognition marks the second time Vietnam has had an additional inter-provincial World Heritage site, following the Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago World Heritage Site (located in Quang Ninh and Hai Phong provinces).

Based on heritage records, the complex has a total area of ​​approximately 4,910 hectares, of which the core zone is 525.75 hectares and the buffer zone is 4,380.19 hectares.

Tourists visit the sacred peak of Yen Tu in June. Photo: Yen Tu Pagoda.

At the heart of the heritage site is the Truc Lam Zen sect (a Buddhist sect founded by Emperor Tran Nhan Tong in the 13th century). Visitors can admire the different stages through 12 heritage components in the core area.

The dossier began to be compiled in 2013 through a collaboration between the local authorities and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), which is also UNESCO's expert advisory body on World Heritage.

According to Professor Nikolay Nenov (Bulgarian nationality), President of the 47th Session of UNESCO, the newly recognized complex in Vietnam satisfies two criteria (iii) and (vi).

Criterion (iii) describes a work that possesses unique or at least exceptional evidence for a cultural tradition or for a living or vanished civilization.

Meanwhile, criterion (vi) requires that the monument be directly or tangiblely linked (such as ideas, beliefs, works of art and literature of outstanding universal significance) to current events or traditions. This is also the criterion that the Committee values ​​most highly, according to the official UNESCO website.

The 12 clusters within the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiet Bac complex of historical sites and scenic spots include:

Five landmarks in Quang Ninh : Yen Tu Pagoda (Hoa Yen), Ngoa Van Hermitage, Thai Mieu Temple, Bach Dang stake field (Yen Giang), and Lan Pagoda (Long Dong).

Five sites in Hai Phong (formerly part of Hai Duong province) : Con Son Pagoda, Kiet Bac Temple, Thanh Mai Pagoda, Kinh Chu Cave, and Nham Duong Pagoda.

Two components in Bac Ninh (formerly Bac Giang province): Bo Da Pagoda and Vinh Nghiem Pagoda (Duc La).

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/viet-nam-vua-co-them-di-san-the-gioi-post291616.html