Not just a recognition
The Con Son - Kiep Bac relic cluster being recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage List, in the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiep Bac Relic and Scenic Landscape Complex, is the result of a long journey - not only a recognition, but also a measure of the stature of Vietnamese national culture in the flow of humanity.
It is worth mentioning that this heritage does not belong to a single locality, but belongs to the community - from Bac Giang, Quang Ninh to Hai Phong. In particular, Con Son - Kiep Bac, with its spiritual depth and special historical value, associated with Nguyen Trai - World Cultural Celebrity, and Tran Hung Dao - a symbol of national hero, contributed to the decision for the award.
The world heritage title is not just a name in a degree. That title comes with the responsibility to preserve, promote and promote. That must be concretized by sustainable actions, not showing off, not commercializing - but starting from community cultural activities such as the Con Son - Kiep Bac Autumn Festival.
When festivals are a way to spread living heritage
The Con Son - Kiep Bac Autumn Festival 2025 is not only an occasion to commemorate ancestors but also the first test after the relic cluster was recognized by UNESCO. That is the time for the community - as the subject of heritage - to show how they cherish, honor and share with the world the cultural treasure left by their ancestors.
The event will be held on a large scale, not only in traditional rituals such as the announcement ceremony of Duc Thanh Tran, the memorial ceremony of Nguyen Trai, the death anniversary of Tran Hung Dao, etc., but also expanded with live art programs, applying light technology and virtual reality to help visitors feel the heritage through many senses.
Notably, the Culture - Tourism - Trade Promotion Week associated with the festival not only aims to stimulate tourism, but also has a deeper goal: turning intangible values into sustainable development resources, through OCOP products, heritage experience services, and cultural economic models associated with the community.
From that perspective, festivals are not just for fun. The festival becomes a "living" space for heritage, where the community and tourists meet, connect, learn and be proud of the values they have.
From title to depth of awareness
Heritage is only truly a heritage when it is preserved through faith, knowledge and love, not through formal rituals. Organizing the festival to both preserve its sacredness and spread its historical and cultural values to the younger generation, foreigners and local people is a big challenge for today's cultural workers.
Hai Phong, in the role of managing the Con Son - Kiep Bac relic, is facing a great opportunity - but also a great responsibility. Being recognized as UNESCO is an honor, but if people are not well controlled and do not invest in depth in the content and meaning of festival activities, heritage can easily be "consumed" quickly without leaving long-term value.
What is more necessary in the post-recording period is not to organize many events, but to organize them correctly, so that each festival, each incense offering, each time hearing the name Con Son - Kiep Bac... arouses true cultural pride in each person.
