With its unique and special values, the Complex of Monuments and Landscapes of Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac, with the core of Truc Lam Buddhism, along with the system of temples, stupas, pilgrimage routes, stone steles, woodblocks, and preserved relics distributed over a large space, has been highly appreciated and recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage according to criteria (iii) and (vi). This is evidence of the unique combination between the state, religion, and people in the formation of the Vietnamese national identity; along with the sacred landscape formed through frequent and close interactions with nature and an ethical system based on the love of peace , self-cultivation, tolerance, kindness, and harmony between humans and nature.
With 12 clusters and relic sites, the Complex of Monuments and Landscapes of Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac fully demonstrates the tradition of Truc Lam Buddhism, from its establishment in the sacred Yen Tu mountain area as evidenced by ancient temples, shrines, towers, archaeological sites, to the Vinh Nghiem Pagoda and Con Son - Kiep Bac relic site and the systematization of philosophies expressed through steles, related relics and ritual practices. These relics provide a full representation of the history, spirit and geography of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism, demonstrating the process of formation, development, and the sustainable relationship of tangible and intangible cultural values and documentary heritage in historical and cultural spaces.
The complex has a total core area of 525.75 hectares, and a total buffer area of 4,380.19 hectares. Of which, the core area includes 12 main heritage components, fully reflecting the stages of formation, spread and revival of Truc Lam Zen.
With the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac Monuments and Landscape Complex becoming World Cultural Heritage, Quang Ninh now owns two unique world heritages, one under the sea and one on the mountain. Previously, with an area of 1,553km2, converging nearly 2,000 large and small islands creating a majestic, magical, beautiful landscape, blending rocks and water, along with a unique cave system, geology, and geomorphology, Ha Long Bay was recognized by UNESCO three times as a World Natural Heritage. Of which, on December 17, 1994, UNESCO recognized Ha Long Bay as a World Natural Heritage with outstanding global aesthetic value. On December 2, 2000, UNESCO recognized Ha Long Bay as a World Natural Heritage for the second time for its geological and geomorphological value. On September 16, 2023, UNESCO recognized Ha Long Bay (Quang Ninh) - Cat Ba Archipelago ( Hai Phong ) as a World Natural Heritage.
In recent years, with the special and unique values of Ha Long Bay and Yen Tu, they have become "magnets" attracting tourists to Quang Ninh. For example, the World Natural Heritage Ha Long Bay welcomes millions of tourists every year to visit and experience, especially this place is a favorite destination, a priority choice for international tourists. As for Yen Tu Monuments and Landscapes, each year it attracts more than one million domestic and foreign tourists to visit, relax and worship. With its long-standing cultural values, which contain the soul of Truc Lam Zen, Yen Tu has a special attraction. For example, the event of the relics of Buddha Shakyamuni being carried, enshrined and worshiped at Truc Lam Yen Tu Palace in June 2025, attracted more than one million people, tourists and Buddhists from all over the country and internationally to make a pilgrimage to offer incense, worship, pray for peace and contemplate Buddhist teachings.
Now, when Quang Ninh owns 2 world heritages with unique values, it is a huge advantage for tourism and service development. Quang Ninh tourism industry is facing the opportunity to connect 2 world heritages to increase experiences, create new, more attractive and unique tourism products, thereby increasing the attraction of Quang Ninh tourism, especially for international tourists.
Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/ket-noi-hai-mien-di-san-the-gioi-3366707.html
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