Collaboration to develop heritage tourism
The Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac complex of monuments and landscapes has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, becoming Vietnam’s second inter-provincial World Heritage site. This milestone highlights not only the successful collaboration in preparing and securing the nomination but also the need for stronger partnerships to safeguard and sustainably promote the heritage in the years ahead.
Vietnam’s first serial heritage site
Inscribed in Paris on July 12, the complex is Vietnam’s 9th World Heritage property and the first recognized as a serial heritage site, a collection of monuments linked by shared themes and outstanding universal value. Spanning 12 sites across Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh, and Hai Phong, the complex covers a 525-hectare core zone and a 4,380-hectare buffer zone. Together, they tell the story of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism and the Tran dynasty, with Mount Yen Tu at the center.
Founded in the 13th century by the Tran kings, especially Emperor Tran Nhan Tong, Truc Lam Zen Buddhism created enduring cultural and spiritual values. Its philosophy of harmony helped unify Dai Viet, strengthen national resilience, and inspire the victories against the Mongol invasions. These values continue to resonate with global humanistic ideals today.
UNESCO recognized the complex under criteria (iii) and (vi), acknowledging it as a testament to the synthesis of state, religion, and people in shaping Vietnamese identity, as well as a sacred cultural landscape forged through close interaction with nature. Each site adds a chapter to the collective narrative, from temples honoring the Tran dynasty at Kiep Bac to pagodas like Ngaa Van, Vinh Nghiem, and Con Son, which were key centers of Buddhist teaching and practice.
Towards sustainable preservation
The inscription follows years of rigorous preparation involving central ministries, UNESCO Vietnam, experts at home and abroad, and the three provinces. Despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Quang Ninh led the research, interpretation, and coordination, submitting the official dossier to UNESCO in February 2024.
Multiple workshops, inter-agency meetings, and four rounds of supplementary reports reflected Vietnam’s determination and responsiveness to UNESCO and ICOMOS recommendations.
The recognition affirms the strategic decision to pursue a serial heritage nomination, while also placing responsibility on the provinces to work together on sustainable management.
Associate Professor Dang Van Bai, Vice Chairman of the National Cultural Heritage Council, emphasized the need for a joint conservation and management plan to develop a cohesive ecosystem for Truc Lam Zen heritage tourism.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has directed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, along with Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh, and Hai Phong, to advise the government on updating national and local regulations to provide a stronger legal framework for the protection and promotion of this inter-provincial world heritage site.
With this recognition, Vietnam not only adds another site to the UNESCO list but also commits to preserving and enhancing a heritage that embodies centuries of cultural, spiritual, and historical values.
