The delegation held meetings with UNESCO leaders, the World Heritage Centre, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), and several members of the World Heritage Committee to discuss the conservation and promotion of world heritage values.

UNESCO leaders take a commemorative photo with the Vietnamese delegation.

They also presented and defended the nomination dossier for the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac Relic and Landscape Complex to be recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The nomination dossier highlights key monuments and monument clusters located in three provinces: Quang Ninh, Bac Giang, and Hai Duong. Bac Giang province contributes two heritage sites to the dossier: Vinh Nghiem Pagoda in Tri Yen commune (Bac Giang city) and Bo Da Pagoda in Tien Son commune (Viet Yen township).

At the meetings, leaders of the three provinces elaborated on the dossier to UNESCO, ICOMOS, and World Heritage Committee members to help international experts gain a deeper insight into the values of the heritage complex.

This is part of the preparation for the dossier’s submission to the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee, scheduled for July 2025.

A working session of the Vietnamese delegation in France.

Speaking at the meetings, Mai Son emphasised that the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac Relic and Landscape Complex is a collection of outstanding relic sites and landscapes associated with the establishment, dissemination, and development of the Truc Lam Zen Buddhist Zen sect across the three provinces.

The dossier, he noted, reflect the dedication and collaborative efforts of local governments and people, as well as the wholehearted and responsible contributions of experts and scholars.

In Bac Giang province, the preparation of the dossier has received special attention and support from authorities at all levels and the local community. The Bac Giang official expressed hope that the nomination will get attention and support from UNESCO, ICOMOS and the World Heritage Committee, including an objective and authentic evaluation of the beauty and outstanding values of the heritage complex, and recognition of the efforts and dedication of the three provinces in preserving and promoting its heritage values.

Culture-Tourism Week and Tay Yen Tu Spring Festival spreads cultural identities, promotes Bac Giang’s tourism development

BAC GIANG- The provincial People’s Committee of Bac Giang province on the morning of February 9 solemnly held the opening ceremony of the 2025 Culture-Tourism Week and Tay Yen Tu Spring Festival themed "Sacred Tay Yen Tu" at the Tay Yen Tu spiritual- ecotourism complex (Son Dong district).

Yen Tu Spring Festival draws crowds on opening day

The Yen Tu Spring Festival in the northern province of Quang Ninh attracted nearly 20,000 domestic and foreign visitors on its opening day (February 7).

Bac Giang ready to open Culture-Tourism Week and Tay Yen Tu Spring Festival

BAC GIANG- On February 6, Mai Son, permanent Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee of Bac Giang province and Head of the Organising Board of the Culture-Tourism Week and the opening of the Tay Yen Tu Spring Festival inspected the preparation for the opening ceremony at Tay Yen Tu spiritual- ecotourism complex.

More than 25,000 visitors flock to Tay Yen Tu spiritual and ecotourism complex

BAC GIANG - According to Tay Yen Tu Service Joint Stock Company, from January 30 to February 4, 2025 (or lunar January 2-6), Tay Yen Tu spiritual and ecotourism complex welcomed more than 25,000 visitors.

The bell dance on the western slope of Yen Tu mountain range

BAC GIANG - In the life of the Dao ethnic group in Tay Yen Tu town, Son Dong district, the bell dance is considered one of the indispensable sacred rituals during festivals and ceremonies. This is a unique cultural identity that the local people have maintained from generation to generation.

Nhan Ly - the ancient village at the foot of Tay Yen Tu

BAC GIANG – According to archaeologists, along Provincial Road 293 (also known as the Tay Yen Tu spiritual route), there are many ancient villages that have existed since at least the Tran dynasty (13th-14th centuries) or the post-Le dynasty (15th-18th centuries), with visible remnants of temples and shrines dating back to around the 18th century that still stand today. One of the ancient villages in the Mai Suu region is Nhan Ly.