From August 5 to August 15, 2024, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), an independent advisory body of UNESCO, began field evaluations of the dossier in the three provinces.

The Vinh Nghiem Pagoda woodblocks, recognised by UNESCO as a documentary heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region's Memory of the World Programme.

The complex is poised to potentially become the first trans-provincial world heritage site in Vietnam, an honour and pride of not only Bac Giang, Quang Ninh and Hai Duong provinces but also the whole nation.

The complex of Yen Tu relic sites and landscapes is located on the Yen Tu mountain range (part of the Dong Trieu massif) in northeastern Vietnam.

The site includes hundreds of relic sites and scenic areas across six national and special national heritage sites: the Yen Tu historic and scenic site (Uong Bi city, Quang Ninh province); the Tran Dynasty historic site in Dong Trieu (Dong Trieu township, Quang Ninh province); the Bach Dang historic site (Quang Yen township, Quang Ninh province); the Con Son-Kiep Bac historic site and Thanh Mai pagoda (Chi Linh city, Hai Duong province); the An Phu - Kinh Chu - Nham Duong relic site (Kinh Mon township, Hai Duong province); and Vinh Nghiem pagoda and Bo Da pagoda within the Tay Yen Tu relic site (Bac Giang province).

The nominated complex encompasses a chain of 20 historic and scenic sites. Yen Tu’s outstanding features include numerous archaeological sites and religious monuments dedicated to Buddha, deities, and national heroes. Despite being over seven centuries old, this complex continues to be a vibrant cultural heritage.

Bac Giang contributes two key sites to this heritage complex: Vinh Nghiem pagoda and Bo Da pagoda. Both are special national heritage sites, renowned for their unique cultural artifacts and heritage types that meet UNESCO criteria III and VI.

These are major centers bearing the ideology and imprint of the Truc Lam Buddhist Zen sect, showing a globally significant demonstration of a religion formed from many different beliefs, which originated and developed from Yen Tu and has influenced secular society, contributing to consolidating the country and ensuring regional peace and cooperation.

Truc Lam Buddhism became a foundational force in the country’s development during the Tran Dynasty, impacting various aspects of national life, including spiritual, social, economic, political, and security domains.

Additionally, many invaluable intangible heritages reflect the ideology and impact of the Truc Lam Zen sect, notably the Vinh Nghiem pagoda woodblocks, recognised by UNESCO as a documentary heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region's Memory of the World Programme, and the Bo Da pagoda woodblocks – a national treasure of Vietnam, demonstrating outstanding global heritage value for Vietnam, Asia, and the world.

Recognising the immense value of these heritage sites, over more than two years, Bac Giang has actively collaborated with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, and other involved agencies to develop the nomination dossier.

The successful completion of the dossier represents a significant milestone, with Bac Giang playing a pivotal role in this endeavor.

Do Tuan Khoa

Vinh Nghiem pagoda’s three-entrance gate completed

BAC GIANG- The provincial People’s Committee of Bac Giang province on March 2 hosted a ceremony in Muoi village, Lan Mau commune, Luc Nam district to hand over the three-entrance gate (Tam quan) of Vinh Nghiem pagoda.

Complex of Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac Monuments and Landscapes

BAC GIANG - The dossier on "Complex of Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac Monuments and Landscapes" in the provinces of Quang Ninh, Bac Giang and Hai Duong was submitted to UNESCO for recognition as a world heritage site. This is a firm condition and basis for preserving and promoting the value of heritage associated with sustainable tourism development of the three provinces.

Complex of Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac Monuments and Landscapes on journey to become world heritage

BAC GIANG - The Complex of Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac Monuments and Landscapes is a chain of cultural landscapes in the three provinces of Quang Ninh, Bac Giang and Hai Duong.

Complex of Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac Monuments and Landscapes seeks UNESCO title

A dossier featuring the Complex of Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac Monuments and Landscapes in the northern provinces of Quang Ninh, Hai Duong and Bac Giang has been sent to UNESCO for recognition as a world heritage.