Quang Ninh will host a series of cultural and sporting events at Yen Tu from late October through December as part of a campaign to attract more visitors to the UNESCO World Heritage site during the autumn and winter months.
The program, titled “Yen Tu - Autumn Colors and Meditation 2026”, will feature four major events combining sports, cultural exchanges and heritage experiences, according to Quang Ninh Newspaper.
The first Yen Tu Chinese Chess Championship will take place from October 31 to November 1, followed by a competition for the best Yen Tu heritage presenter on November 7-8. The contest will focus on the site's history, cultural significance and natural landscape.
The Yen Tu Heritage Marathon 2026, themed “Touching the heritage region,” is scheduled for November 28-29. The race will combine sporting activities with opportunities for participants to explore Yen Tu's cultural and natural heritage.
The program will conclude on December 9 with “Yen Tu sunrise - Following in the footsteps of the Buddhist King”, coinciding with a ceremony marking the 718th anniversary of the death of King Tran Nhan Tong, founder of Vietnam's Truc Lam Zen Buddhist tradition.
Beyond the main events, visitors can take part in meditation and yoga sessions, sunrise tours to Dong Pagoda, traditional folk games and cultural performances featuring the Dao Thanh Y ethnic community. Other activities include archery, traditional Vietnamese costume experiences and tours exploring Yen Tu's historic sites.
The program, now in its second year, is part of Quang Ninh's efforts to develop year-round tourism at Yen Tu, which has traditionally drawn large numbers of pilgrims during spring festivals.
Organizers hope the events will encourage longer stays, attract a wider range of visitors and promote the cultural, historical and spiritual significance of Yen Tu, part of the UNESCO-listed Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son, Kiep Bac complex.
