Mr. Tran Viet Dung - Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Ninh province - said that the ceremony to receive the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Recognition Certificate for the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiep Bac Relic Complex and Scenes, which is expected to be held on December 20, 2025 at the Yen Tu National Monument and Forest Area, Yen Tu Ward, Quang Ninh Province.
Currently, the UNESCO recognition certificate has been transferred to Vietnam and 3 related localities, including Hai Phong, Quang Ninh and Bac Ninh, are actively coordinating to prepare for the ceremony.
The Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac relic complex and scenic spot were recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage on July 12, 2025.
These are also 9 World Heritage Sites of Vietnam recognized by UNESCO and the second inter-provincial world heritage of the country, as well as of Quang Ninh province, after the World Natural Heritage of Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba archipelago.
The complex of relics and scenic spots Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem, Con Son, and Kiep Bac were recognized by UNESCO as World Cultural Heritage Sites according to the criteria (iii) and (vi), which are evidence of the unique combination of state, religion and people in the formation of Vietnamese national identity; along with the sacred landscape formed through regular, close interaction with nature and a moral system based on love for peace, self-cultivation, tolerance, compassion and harmony between people and nature.
In which, the criterion (iii): Is the harmonious combination of the State, religion and people's community developed from the homeland of Yen Tu mountainous region, creating a unique cultural tradition of global significance, shaping national identity, promoting peace and security in the wider region.
Criteria (vi): Truc Lam Buddhism is a globally meaningful testament to the way a religion, originating from many beliefs, originating and developing from the homeland of Yen Tu, has affected world society to promote a strong country, ensuring regional peace and cooperation.
With 12 clusters and relic sites, the Complex of relics and scenic spots Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac fully reflect the Truc Lam Buddhist tradition, from the establishment in the sacred mountain area of Yen Tu proven in ancient temples, steles, towers, archaeological relics, to the relics of Vinh Nghiem Pagoda and Con Son - Kiep Bac Relic Site and the systematization of philosophies expressed through related steles, relics and rituals.
These relics provide full representations of the history, spirit and geography of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism, demonstrating the formation, development process, and sustainable relationships of tangible and intangible cultural values and documentary heritages in historical and cultural spaces.
