HANOI: Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son-Kiep Bac Complex of Monuments and Landscapes was recognised as a world cultural heritage at the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) on July 12.
The complex has become Vietnam’s ninth world heritage site and second trans-provincial heritage site, following Ha Long Bay-Cat Ba Archipelago, which spans the northern province of Quang Ninh Province and Hai Phong City.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu, Chair of the Vietnam National Unesco Committee, said the recognition was not only a source of pride for the authorities and people of Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, and Bac Ninh, but also a collective joy for Vietnam.
This acknowledgment affirms the international appreciation of the value of the Complex of Monuments and the humanitarian ideals of the Truc Lam Zen Buddhism founded by Emperor Tran Nhan Tong (1258–1308), as well as Vietnam’s efforts in heritage preservation.
The Unesco recognition enhances the country’s international standing and facilitates the sustainable preservation and promotion of heritage values. It also strengthens regional connections between Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, and Bac Ninh, creating a cohesive heritage space that contributes to promoting the image of Vietnam and its people.
This is another contribution from Vietnam towards the goals of preserving and promoting heritage values advocated by Unesco. Such honour and pride come with responsibilities, requiring all levels, sectors, and localities to enhance awareness and implement synchronised, practical measures to effectively preserve and promote the heritage in line with the spirit of the World Heritage Convention and sustainable development, he noted.
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Dr Hoang Dao Cưong, emphasised that recognition was resulted from years of dedicated efforts by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the provinces.
This has involved implementing numerous projects for the preservation and restoration of heritage sites, as well as researching and identifying values to prepare nomination files for domestic and international recognition.
The Deputy Minister announced at the session that Vietnam would continue to implement activities to protect and promote world heritage values in a sustainable manner. This commitment is reflected in the recent passage of the 2024 Cultural Heritage Law by the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on November 23, 2024.
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thi Thu Hien, Director of the Cultural Heritage Department and Permanent Member of the National Cultural Heritage Council, who leads the Vietnamese expert team participating in the World Heritage Committee, the inclusion of the Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son-Kiep Bac Complex Complex in Unesco's World Heritage List is the result of closely following and implementing the directives of the Party and State leadership.
This achievement reflects the high level of effort and determination from the localities of Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, and Bac Ninh, particularly the leading role of the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee throughout the research process that began in 2013.
"This achievement demonstrates the collective strength and the close, effective coordination between localities and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism – the coordinating agency that helps the government implement unified state management of cultural heritage and fulfill the responsibilities and commitments of member states participating in Unesco's conventions on cultural heritage.
“It also reflects the contributions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Cultural Heritage Council, and the experts involved in Vietnam’s World Heritage Committee,” she stressed.
In particular, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent a letter to the Director-General of Unesco and the 20 member countries of the World Heritage Committee, requesting support for the nomination of the Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son-Kiep Bac Complex. This highlighted Vietnam’s strong commitment to managing and protecting its heritage, which was highly appreciated by the members. Based on this, the session achieved unanimous agreement, with all members supporting the inclusion of the Vietnamese nomination in the World Heritage List.
Nguyen Thi Hanh, Vice Chairwoman of the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee said the Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son-Kiep Bac nomination file was meticulously and systematically developed by the province.
"We will continue to develop and implement a project for the preservation, restoration, and promotion of heritage values to ensure sustainability and broadly disseminate the esteemed values of the world heritage site,” she added.
The Complex includes 12 locations with a core area of 525.75 hectares and a buffer zone of 4,380.19 hectares.
With Truc Lam Buddhism as its core, it was established in the 13th century by the Tran Dynasty’s kings.
The Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son-Kiep Bac Complex, recognised by Unesco as a World Cultural Heritage site, exemplifies the unique combination of the state, religion and the people in shaping the Vietnamese national identity. It features a sacred landscape formed through a close and continuous interaction with nature, along with an ethical system rooted in a love for peace, self-cultivation, tolerance, compassion and harmony between humanity and nature.
Before this, Vietnam had eight world heritage sites recognised by Unesco, including the Complex of Hue Monuments (1993), Ha Long Bay (1994, expanded to include Cat Ba in 2023), Hoi An Ancient Town (1999), My Son Sanctuary (1999), Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park (2003, expanded in 2015), Thang Long Imperial Citadel (2010), Ho Citadel and Trang An Landscape Complex (2014). - Vietnam News/ANN
