The plenary session voted to recognize the Yen Tu, Vinh Nghiem, Con Son, and Kiep Bac relic complex as a World Cultural Heritage.
At 13:02 on July 12 (Paris time), or 18:02 (Vietnam time), at the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee (UNESCO) taking place from July 6 to 16, 2025 in Paris, Bulgarian professor Nikolay Nenov, Chairman of the Session, officially gave the hammer to recognize the Complex of Monuments and Landscapes of Yen Tu, Vinh Nghiem, Con Son, Kiep Bac as a World Cultural Heritage, marking an important milestone in the journey of preserving and promoting the values of Vietnam's cultural heritage. This is Vietnam's 9th World Heritage and the second inter-provincial World Heritage, after Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago (in Quang Ninh province and Hai Phong city).
The complex of relics and scenic spots of Yen Tu, Vinh Nghiem, Con Son, Kiep Bac is located in the territory of three provinces of Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh and Hai Phong city, including 12 relic sites spread over a core area of 525.75 hectares and a buffer zone of 4,380.19 hectares. What makes this complex of relics unique is the close connection between the relics over many centuries, forming a complete system reflecting the process of formation, development and spread of Truc Lam Buddhism. From the sacred mountain of Yen Tu to the relic sites of Vinh Nghiem and Con Son - Kiep Bac, each site carries within itself profound historical, cultural and spiritual values.
The relic complex was recognized by UNESCO based on many important criteria with Truc Lam Buddhism as the core - a unique Zen sect founded in the 13th century by the Tran Dynasty kings, especially the Buddhist Emperor Tran Nhan Tong. Truc Lam Buddhism is not simply a religion but also a unique system of life philosophy, demonstrating the harmonious combination of Mahayana Buddhism with Confucian ethics, Taoist cosmology and indigenous Vietnamese beliefs. This is a testament to the unique cultural creativity of the Vietnamese people in receiving, transforming and developing religious values in accordance with national identity. The ideological and cultural values of Truc Lam Buddhism in the spirit of reconciliation, harmony and peace are completely consistent with UNESCO's basic goal of maintaining and enriching the common values of humanity: education, building a culture of peace, self-reliance, and harmonious combination between humans and the natural world.
The representative of the Vietnamese delegation attending the 47th session expressed his gratitude to the members of the World Heritage Committee (UNESCO) and international delegations for supporting Vietnam's dossier during the review process.
The historic hammer-bang moment recognizing the Yen Tu, Vinh Nghiem, Con Son, Kiep Bac relic complex as a World Cultural Heritage brought great joy and pride to the Vietnamese delegation attending the conference. Sharing with a VNA reporter in France, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hanh, Vice Chairwoman of the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee, Deputy Head of the Steering Committee - Head of the Executive Committee for the construction of the Yen Tu, Vinh Nghiem, Con Son, Kiep Bac dossier, emotionally shared: "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. As the leader of Quang Ninh province, the locality assigned by the Prime Minister to preside over and coordinate with Hai Phong city and Bac Ninh province to build the dossier from 2020, I am truly moved and proud. This is truly great good news for our country Vietnam".
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay took a souvenir photo with the Vietnamese delegation at the reception hall of UNESCO headquarters.
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong also said that this is a source of pride not only for the people of the three provinces of Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh and Hai Phong, but also the joy of the people of the whole country. "This also proves our success in the past time in the work of preserving and maintaining relics," he emphasized.
Immediately after the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiep Bac relic complex was officially recognized as a World Cultural Heritage, international friends came to congratulate the Vietnamese delegation. UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay herself came to share the joy and take souvenir photos with the Vietnamese delegation at the reception hall of UNESCO headquarters.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay came to share joy with the Vietnamese delegation at the reception hall of UNESCO headquarters.
Professor Nikolay Nenov (Bulgaria) - Chairman of the Session also shared: "This complex is very important for all of humanity, not just for Vietnam. We realize that it has great significance for the religious community, for the indigenous people, it is very important for all of us and all of humanity". Congratulating the Vietnamese people on this victory, he also said that now is the time for all parties to coordinate with each other towards long-term success.
During the nomination process, Vietnam’s nomination received strong support from the international community. This support not only demonstrates the friendship between countries but also affirms the global value of Vietnam’s cultural heritage. Indian Ambassador, Mr. Vishal V. Sharma, Head of the Indian Mission to UNESCO said: "This is a very important heritage for the country and people of Vietnam, because it is related to Yen Tu Mountain - a sacred landscape associated with the Truc Lam Buddhist philosophy, and it has a direct connection with the revered King Tran Nhan Tong. That is why this is so important to the Vietnamese people and Vietnamese culture. That is also the reason why India has always supported Vietnam and that is why we have decided to support Vietnam in the process of revising and completing the dossier to register this heritage. There have been many questions raised regarding the heritage impact assessment reports, but Vietnam has fully met all the conditions, so we believe that the World Heritage Committee's recognition of this landscape is a completely correct decision". Sharing the joy with Vietnam, he did not forget to affirm that India always stands side by side with the country and people of Vietnam.
It can be said that this success is the result of a 13-year journey with a lot of effort and determination. From 2013 to now, the process of researching and preparing heritage dossiers has been carried out systematically and scientifically. In particular, since 2020, Quang Ninh province has been assigned by the Prime Minister to preside over and coordinate with Hai Phong city and Bac Ninh province to complete the dossier. According to Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu, Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, this process also demonstrates close and effective coordination between levels, sectors and localities. In particular, the efforts and high determination of the localities of Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Bac Ninh, especially the leading role of the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province, have created a combined strength.
It is impossible not to mention the in-depth professional participation of domestic and foreign scientists and experts, the World Heritage Committee of Vietnam, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, and the practical support of media agencies and businesses. The success of the heritage dossier also has an important role of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to UNESCO in Paris - France in coordinating information, promptly connecting and working with specialized agencies of UNESCO, ICOMOS, IUCN, and the World Heritage Committee. In particular, the mobilization of support and consensus from 21 member countries of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee has contributed significantly to this success. The active professional support of international experts and ICOMOS in the process of completing the dossier, explaining and implementing recommendations is also an important factor.
International friends congratulate the Vietnamese delegation.
The inscription is not only the end of a journey but also the beginning of new responsibilities. With the inscription by UNESCO, the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem, Con Son, Kiep Bac relic complex also bears a heavy responsibility in preserving and promoting the value of the heritage. The Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism emphasized: "The recognition of the world cultural heritage for the Yen Tu, Vinh Nghiem, Con Son, Kiep Bac relic complex is an initial encouraging success and also motivates us to continue to make more efforts in preserving and promoting the value of Vietnam's heritage."
The Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem, Con Son, Kiep Bac relic and scenic complex includes a system of relics belonging to special national relics that have been ranked by the Prime Minister. Together with the unique mountain and forest landscapes and cultural spaces, the entire heritage site will be preserved, protected for a long time, sustainably and promoted in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Cultural Heritage and the 1972 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.
Most Venerable Thich Thanh Quyet, Vice President of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and Abbot of Yen Tu Pagoda, shared: "Not only me but everyone is very happy. When UNESCO recognizes Yen Tu as a world heritage site, we will be determined to take steps to bring Yen Tu - Con Son - Kiep Bac to the level that the country desires and UNESCO desires."
The leader of Quang Ninh province, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hanh, also pledged: "Immediately, Quang Ninh province will continue to preside with Hai Phong and Bac Ninh. We will build a project to preserve, restore and promote the value of this priceless heritage of our country Vietnam so that we are worthy of UNESCO's recognition and preserve the heritage forever for future generations."
The fact that the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem, Con Son, Kiep Bac relic and landscape complex was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site is not only the pride of the three provinces of Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh, and Hai Phong, but also the pride of the entire Vietnamese people. This is a testament to the attention and close direction of the Party and State leaders, as well as the unceasing efforts of the entire political system and people in the work of preserving and promoting the values of national cultural heritage. With 9 World Heritage Sites, Vietnam continues to affirm its position on the world heritage map, while committing to fulfill its responsibility to protect and promote the values of these precious cultural heritages for future generations./.
Article and photos: Nguyen Thu Ha (VNA reporter in France)
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/quan-the-di-tich-yen-tu-vinh-nghiem-con-son-kiep-bac-tro-thanh-di-san-van-hoa-the-gioi-20250712230902628.htm
Comment (0)