On December 18, the opening ceremony of Yen Tu festival “Heritage journey -World essence” was jointly held by Quang Ninh province, Bac Ninh province and Hai Phong city at the sacred Yen Tu Complex of Monuments and Landscapes.
The festival marks the opening of a series of significant cultural events commemorating the 717th anniversary of the Nirvana of Tran Nhan Tong, the founder of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism, and celebrating the international recognition of the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac Complex as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.
Taking place from 18 to 22 December 2025, the festival transforms Yen Tu into a vibrant cultural destination, welcoming visitors daily from 8 am to 10 pm with a rich program that harmoniously blends spirituality, heritage, arts, and contemporary experiences.
A centerpiece of the festival is the exhibition “A millennium of sacred heritage: Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac” held at Khai Tam Zen Mirror. The exhibition presents a remarkable collection of artifacts, ancient manuscripts, royal edicts, Buddhist scriptures, Zen poetry, and woodblocks, alongside immersive 3D digital displays and heritage maps illustrating the Truc Lam Zen cultural space. Through modern storytelling and technology, visitors are invited to explore the spiritual philosophy, historical legacy, and enduring humanistic values of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism.
Beyond the exhibition, the festival offers a dynamic series of cultural and tourism activities, including a Trade and OCOP Fair, a Culinary Festival celebrating regional flavors, a Heritage Film Week, traditional art performances, folk games, and the cycling race “Returning to the sacred land of Yen Tu”. Together, these events create a lively, inclusive festival atmosphere deeply rooted in Vietnamese cultural identity.
As part of the opening program, the photo contest “Heritage moments: Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac” was launched, encouraging artists and travelers to capture and share the timeless beauty of the World Heritage landscape, thereby contributing to global awareness of heritage conservation.
Co-hosted by Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh, and Hai Phong, the Yen Tu Festival reflects Vietnam’s strong commitment to safeguarding World Heritage values while fostering creative, sustainable development. By placing heritage at the heart of growth, the festival exemplifies a balanced approach that preserves authenticity, inspires innovation, and supports local communities.
Through this meaningful cultural celebration, the Yen Tu Festival continues to elevate Yen Tu as a spiritual and cultural destination of global significance, promoting Vietnam as a safe, welcoming, and distinctive destination, while advancing sustainable tourism, green growth, and heritage-based economic development for the future.
