UNESCO RECOGNITION OF YEN TU – VINH NGHIEM – CON SON – KIEP BAC COMPLEX: JOINT EFFORTS IN SHAPING NATIONAL IDENTITY

 The Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son – Kiep Bac Complex of Monuments and Landscapes, spanning Quang Ninh and Bac Ninh provinces and Hai Phong city, has been officially inscribed on UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage list.

This marks Vietnam’s ninth world heritage site and its second trans-provincial world heritage site, alongside Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago in Quang Ninh province and Hai Phong city.

The Department of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism called the UNESCO recognition under criteria (iii) and (vi) a testament to the unique combination of state, religion, and people in shaping Vietnam’s national identity. It also includes the sacred landscape formed through close interaction with nature and an ethical system rooted in the love of peace, self-improvement, tolerance, compassion, and harmony between humanity and the natural world.

On July 12, 2025 (Paris time), at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, Professor Nikolay Nenov, Chair of the session, officially struck the gavel recognising the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son – Kiep Bac Complex of Monuments and Landscapes as a world cultural heritage site. (Photo: VNA)

UNESCO’s criterion (iii) recognises sites that “bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilisation which is living or which has disappeared,” while criterion (vi) applies to those “directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance.”

Under criterion (iii), the site exemplifies a harmonious integration of the state, religion, and community – rooted in the mountainous homeland of Yen Tu – that gave rise to a globally significant cultural tradition. This tradition helped define Vietnamese identity and promote peace and security in the broader region.

The site also stands as a distinctive testament to Truc Lam Buddhism, a unique Zen tradition of Vietnam founded in the 13th century by the Tran kings, royal family members, and enlightened monks, most notably King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong. He was the only known monarch in Asia to have renounced the throne to pursue monastic life, founding a Zen school deeply rooted in humanistic philosophy and imbued with Vietnamese character.

By integrating Mahayana Buddhism with Confucianism, Taoism, and indigenous beliefs, Truc Lam Buddhism helped shape the spiritual foundation of Dai Viet (a former name of Vietnam), fuelling the rise of a self-reliant and resilient nation, while also fostering cultural dialogue and a spirit of peace and friendship among peoples.

The Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son – Kiep Bac Complex of Monuments and Landscapes includes a system of pagodas belonging to the Truc Lam Buddhism, a unique Vietnamese Zen sect founded in the 13th century. (Photo: VNA)

For centuries, the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son – Kiep Bac complex has played a vital role in the practice, transmission, and dissemination of cultural values. The tolerant and creative spirit of Truc Lam Buddhism has inspired humanistic values both within Vietnam and globally.

Under criterion (vi), Truc Lam Buddhism is recognised as a globally significant example of how a religion – rooted in multiple belief systems and originating from the sacred homeland of Yen Tu – has shaped secular society, contributed to the rise of a nation, and fostered regional peace and cooperation.

The continuous organisation of rituals and festivals proves the sustainable global relevance of the philosophy of life and the Truc Lam Buddhist Zen sect. (Photo: The Yen Tu Spring Festival opening ceremony at the Yen Tu relic site in Quang Ninh province on February 7, 2025)

The continuous hosting of rituals, festivals, and pilgrimages – both domestically and through international Truc Lam Buddhist organisations – demonstrates the enduring global relevance of its humanistic philosophy, communal spirit, love of peace, and respect for nature.

The complex is closely associated with the origins and dissemination of the creative and humanistic values of Truc Lam Buddhism. The continuous organisation of rituals, festivals, Buddha Dharma propagation activities, and pilgrimages to the heritage sites – both within Vietnam and by international Truc Lam Buddhist communities – attests to the enduring global relevance of its humanistic philosophy, values of life, communal spirit, harmony with nature, love of peace, and compassion.

The Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son – Kiep Bac Complex fully embodies the Truc Lam Buddhist tradition, from its founding on the sacred Yen Tu Mountain – evidenced by ancient temples and archaeological remains – to key sites such as Vinh Nghiem Pagoda and the Con Son – Kiep Bac Relic Area. The systematisation of its philosophies is reflected in ancient inscriptions, related artefacts, and ritual practices. These heritage sites offer a comprehensive representation of the historical, spiritual, and geographical dimensions of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism, highlighting the formation, development, and enduring connection between tangible and intangible cultural values and documentary heritage in historical and cultural landscape.

A SPIRITUAL AND CULTURAL CENTRE

The Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son – Kiep Bac Complex comprises a network of specially designated national relics – recognised by the Prime Minister – including the Yen Tu Relic and Scenic Complex, the Tran Dynasty relics in Dong Trieu, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, Bo Da Pagoda, the Con Son – Kiep Bac relic site, and the An Phu – Kinh Chu – Nham Duong historical and scenic site.

Additionally, it includes nationally recognised sites such as Thanh Mai Pagoda, national treasures, intangible cultural heritage elements, and traditional festivals, all set within the forested mountainous terrain and cultural landscape spanning Yen Tu, Vinh Nghiem, Con Son and Kiep Bac.

These assets will be protected and promoted following Vietnam’s Cultural Heritage Law and the 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention.

According to the Department of Cultural Heritage, the complex – with Truc Lam Buddhism at its core, founded during the 13th century by the Tran Kings, especially King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong – represents enduring creative and spiritual contributions to the cultural heritage of humanity. Originating from the sacred terrain of Yen Tu Mountain, Truc Lam Buddhism embodies a philosophy of tolerance, aligning closely with UNESCO’s goals of promoting education, a culture of peace, and harmony between humanity and the natural world.

Illustrative photos: The Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son – Kiep Bac Complex of Monuments and Landscapes. (Photo: VNA)

The inscription of the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son – Kiep Bac Complex on UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage list as the result of consistent efforts and guidance from the country’s leaders, including Party General Secretary To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and Deputy Prime Ministers.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DR LE THI THU HIEN, DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL HERITAGE, STANDING MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL CULTURAL HERITAGE COUNCIL AND HEAD OF THE VIETNAMESE EXPERT GROUP PARTICIPATING IN THE WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE

Associate Professor Dr Le Thi Thu Hien, Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage, Standing Member of the National Cultural Heritage Council and head of the Vietnamese expert group participating in the World Heritage Committee, described the inscription of the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son – Kiep Bac Complex on UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage list as the result of consistent efforts and guidance from the country’s leaders, including Party General Secretary To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and Deputy Prime Ministers.

The nomination process, initiated in 2013 under the leadership of Quang Ninh province with support from former Bac Giang province (now Bac Ninh province), was expanded in 2020 to include former Hai Duong province (now Hai Phong city) to ensure the heritage site’s integrity. The process involved years of thorough research and careful preparation of the nomination dossier.

The successful inscription owes much to the strong support of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to UNESCO in Paris, and expert input from UNESCO, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), and the World Heritage Committee.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also sent a letter to the UNESCO Director-General and the 20 Committee member states, calling for support for the nomination and underscoring Vietnam’s strong commitment to heritage management and conservation. The application received unanimous approval from all committee members.

UNESCO-recognised World Heritage sites in Vietnam continue to play a pivotal role in supporting local socio-economic development, environmental protection, and sustainable growth. They also help to promote Vietnamese culture and national identity on the global stage, enriching the shared heritage of humanity.

Vietnamese representatives conducted dozens of consultations with ambassadors, experts, and heads of delegation from the 20 World Heritage Committee member countries to clarify the site’s outstanding universal value and reaffirm Vietnam’s commitment to fulfilling ICOMOS recommendations for heritage preservation.

This success was due in no small part to the special support of the UNESCO Office in Vietnam, along with international experts and ICOMOS, who provided valuable technical assistance in completing the nomination dossier, offering clarifications, and effectively implementing ICOMOS’s recommendations.

As a member of the World Heritage Committee for the 2023–2027 term, Vietnam is making increasingly active contributions to the implementation of the World Heritage Convention – both within its borders and across Southeast Asia – to safeguard heritage for present and future generations./.