The Yen Tu mountain range spans across the three provinces of Quang Ninh, Bac Giang and Hai Duong. This region is historically tied to the formation and development of the Truc Lam Buddhist Zen sect.

A view of Am Vai Pagoda in Nam Duong commune, Chu township. File photo.

In Tay Yen Tu, besides Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, which serves as the centre of Truc Lam Buddhism during the Tran Dynasty, many other pagodas were constructed during this period, such as Am Vai (Nam Duong commune, Chu township); Ho Bac (Nghia Phuong commune, Luc Nam district); Binh Long (Huyen Son commune), Cao and Hang Non (Kham Lang commune), Yen Ma (Bac Lung commune), and Hon Thap (Cam Ly commune).

The system of ancient pagodas in Tay Yen Tu holds exceptional values across various aspects, including religion, culture, and history. It is closely tied to the formation and development of the Truc Lam Buddhist sect, founded by King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong in the 13th century.

Moreover, these pagodas are intricately linked with historical sites in Quang Ninh and Hai Duong, forming a unique religious and cultural system that has lasted for centuries.

Through these ancient pagodas, one can trace the cultural and spiritual journey of the Truc Lam Buddhist Zen sect during the Tran Dynasty, which not only represents Truc Lam Buddhism itself but also incorporates elements of local folk beliefs.

This fusion of cultures between pre-Tran Buddhism and local beliefs paved the way for the establishment of Truc Lam Buddhist Zen sect by Emperor Tran Nhan Tong, bringing forward profound values of Vietnamese culture.

It is clear that Vinh Nghiem Pagoda and the system of ancient pagodas in Tay Yen Tu in Bac Giang province play an important role and are inseparable from the Complex of Yen Tu Monuments and Landscapes, closely associated with Truc Lam Buddhism.

Preserving and promoting the values of this heritage in the current trend of integration and development is essential, contributing to educating patriotism and national pride in association with the development of cultural and spiritual tourism in the province.

In recent years, Bac Giang province has begun developing and establishing the tourism product "The path of spreading the Dharma of the Truc Lam Buddhist Zen sect founders in Yen Tu" as the core highlight of Bac Giang’s tourism.

The sacred land of Tay Yen Tu, with the Tay Yen Tu Spring Festival in combination with the Bac Giang Cultural-Tourism Week, has established itself as a recognised brand in recent years.

Cultural and spiritual tourism routes have been formed and interconnected with Buddhist sites in Tay Yen Tu. Typically, the Tay Yen Tu route, which starts from Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, passing through the first cluster of pagodas, including Binh Long (Huyen Son), Yen Ma (Bac Lung), Hon Thap (Cam Ly), Hang Non (Kham Lang) in Luc Nam district, followed by the second cluster consisting of Dong Vanh, Nghe Mau, Saint Tran Cao San Temple, Nghe Ca and Nghe Long (Luc Son) in Luc Nam; and the third cluster, including Am Vai Pagoda (Nam Duong commune, Chu township), Ngoa Van Pagoda, Ho Thien Pagoda, and Dong Pagoda (Quang Ninh province).

Another significant route is the East-West Yen Tu route, which starts from Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, passing through the first cluster of pagodas: Binh Long, Yen Ma, Hon Thap (Luc Nam, Bac Giang); then to Con Son Pagoda, Kiep Bac Temple, Thanh Mai Pagoda (Chi Linh city, Hai Duong), and on to Ho Bac Pagoda, Tran Temple, and Suoi Mo Ecological Tourism Area (Luc Nam, Bac Giang).

After many years of preparation, in 2024, the nomination dossier for the "Complex of Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac Monuments and Landscapes" was submitted to UNESCO for World Heritage status.

With its immense historical, cultural, and scientific significance, this complex remains a vibrant cultural heritage to this day.

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