On the afternoon of August 17, Quang Ninh province, Bac Ninh and Hai Phong city held a press conference to announce the outstanding global value of the World Cultural Heritage Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac.
On July 12, 2025, at the 47th session, the World Heritage Committee (UN UNESCO) officially recognized the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiep Bac relic complex as a World Cultural Heritage under Decision No. 47 COM 8B.22. This is the first and second inter-provincial heritage among Vietnam's 9 world heritages honored by UNESCO.
Being recognized by UNESCO is not only the pride of the three localities but also affirms the global stature of Truc Lam Buddhism, originating from the sacred Yen Tu school.
Also on August 17, many special activities took place at the Yen Tu Relic and Scenic Landscape Area to celebrate this event. Notably, the art program "Yen Tu Music - Heritage of a Thousand Years" lasts 120 minutes at Minh Tam Square, with the participation of hundreds of artists and folk artists.
The program consists of three parts: "Holy Land at the Dragon's Head", "Buddha accompanies the nation" and "Quang Ninh goes far and wide to integrate", broadcast live on VTV2 and local stations.
At the press conference, Yen Tu ward also announced that the "Yen Tu - Autumn Meditation" Festival will take place throughout September to the end of 2025 with a series of rich activities: meditation to welcome the new day, yoga, tour "Dawn on the top of Dong Pagoda", the journey "Following the footsteps of King Tran Nhan Tong", performing folk art, traditional fashion, displaying artistic works about Yen Tu and Dao Thanh Y culture.
In particular, the two major races Ultra Trail Yen Tu (September 5-6) and Yen Tu Heritage (November 15-16) promise to attract a large number of domestic and foreign athletes and tourists.
The Complex of the famous relics of Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac reflects the story of the formation and sustainable continuation of the Buddhist heritage of Truc Lam, a unique Zen sect of Vietnam, which was initiated by the kings of the Tran Dynasty, royal families and highs in the context of many global changes in the 13th century.
The Complex of relics and scenic spots Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac is a series of heritages including 12 relics/relic clusters, distilled from hundreds of relics and scenic spots of 6 special national relic sites in the three provinces of Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh and Hai Phong, all located on the Yen Tu mountain range in Northeast Vietnam.
The Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son and Kiep Bac Scenic Landscape Complex was officially recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage at the meeting on July 12, the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee.
According to Decision 47 COM 8B.22 (Paris, July 23, 2025), UNESCO recognizes the heritage complex for:
Criteria (iii): Special evidence for a unique cultural tradition - Truc Lam Buddhism, formed from the connection between the state, religion and people, originating from the sacred Yen Tu mountain. This tradition contributes to shaping national identity and maintaining community cohesion over many centuries.
Criteria (vi): The painting has a global meaning in the blend of religion and culture, when Buddhism in the Great blend with Taoism, Antiquity and indigenous beliefs, creating Truc Lam's philosophy of life: self-cultivation, harmony with nature, love of peace and nurture humanity.
