The nomination dossier of the World Heritage status for Yen Tu to be officially submitted in September, 2021

A conference was held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on compiling the scientific dossier and the management plans for the Complex of Yen Tu Monuments and Landscape in the area of 3 provinces (Quang Ninh, Hai Duong, and Bac Giang). These documents are expected to be submitted to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for recognition as a World Heritage Site.

Dr. Trinh Thi Thuy, Deputy Minister of Culture and Sports chaired the meeting.

As reported at the meeting, the Departments of Culture and Sports of three provinces have worked closely to send invitations to research agencies and scientists to write relevant scientific papers, organized scientific seminars and conferences in Quang Ninh and at the Complex of Yen Tu Monuments and Landscape.

They also agreed on the expected time and progress to prepare neccessary documents submitted to the World Heritage Committee.

Addressing the meeting, Dr. Trinh Thi Thuy, Deputy Minister of Culture and Sports assigned Quang Ninh province to coordinate with the other localities to ensure the quality of nomination dossier which must highlight all of the values of the heritage site.

Besides numerous temples, Yen Tu also preserves many old religious and cultural documents such as precious prayer-books and monks’ writings.

She also requested the Department of International Cooperation, under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to be responsible for inviting international experts to promote the image of Yen Tu Monuments and Landscapes.

The Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO, under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is responsible for instructing the People's Committees of the three provinces of Quang Ninh, Hai Duong and Bac Giang to prepare all needed contents related to the nomination dossier and work with UNESCO.

The summary report of Yen Tu Monuments and Landscapes (Quang Ninh, Hai Duong, Bac Giang) as World Heritage Site is scheduled to have been submitted to the Government by March 2021 and Vietnam is going to make a submission to UNESCO in September 2021, she said.

Located on the 1,068m-high Yen Tu Mountain, the 20,000ha site is considered as the capital of Vietnamese Buddhism, where in the 13 th century, King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong (1258-1308) founded the first Vietnamese School of Buddhism called “Thien Tong” or Tuc Lam Yen Tu Zen.

Besides numerous temples, it also preserves many old religious and cultural documents such as precious prayer-books and monks’ writings.

With its significant historical, cultural and natural values, Yen Tu was recognised as a Special National Relic Site in September 2012. It was also selected as one of the 10 most popular spiritual destinations in Vietnam by the Vietnam Records Organisation.

Translated by Phuong Loan