Vietnam has officially nominated the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son Kiep Bac Complex to the UNESCO World Heritage List, with the dossier submitted for review at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, held from July 7–16 in Paris, France.
This nomination shines a spotlight on a remarkable spiritual and cultural heritage rooted in the Truc Lam Zen sect, founded in the 13th century by King-turned-monk Tran Nhan Tong. The complex embodies centuries of history, philosophy, and the harmonious blending of religion and governance.
A Rich Landscape of Heritage Sites Across Three Provinces
The Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son Kiep Bac Complex encompasses a total of 32 sites across five main heritage areas, spanning three northeastern provinces of Vietnam: Quang Ninh, Hai Duong, and Bac Giang.
Most of these cultural and historical landmarks are intimately tied to the birth, formation, and development of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism in the region surrounding the Yen Tu mountain range and its adjacent valleys. The complex is divided into four main zones:
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Yen Tu Historical and Scenic Area (Uong Bi City and Dong Trieu City, Quang Ninh)
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Tran Dynasty Historical Site (Dong Trieu City, Quang Ninh)
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Western Yen Tu Historical and Scenic Area (Bac Giang City, Chu Town, and the districts of Luc Nam, Luc Ngan, and Son Dong in Bac Giang)
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Con Son – Kiep Bac Historical Site (Chi Linh City, Hai Duong)
Together, these zones create a vast cultural landscape, weaving together sacred mountains, ancient pagodas, stupa gardens, caves, and pilgrimage trails that have drawn devotees and visitors for centuries.
Scenic Beauty and Iconic Landmarks
Beyond their spiritual significance, the heritage zones also offer visitors breathtaking natural scenery and a serene atmosphere. The Yen Tu Mountain Range, draped in mist and dotted with towering pine forests, is home to Hoa Yen Pagoda, perched halfway up the peak, and the sacred Ngoa Van Hermitage at the summit — offering panoramic views of the surrounding hills and plains.
In Bac Giang, the Western Yen Tu area charms visitors with its rolling green mountains, secluded meditation caves, and the unique Bo Da Pagoda, famed for its ancient manuscripts and tranquil tower garden.
Meanwhile, Con Son – Kiep Bac in Hai Duong stands out with its lush valleys, shimmering rivers, and the majestic Kiep Bac Temple — a place of worship and annual festivals honoring national hero Tran Hung Dao. Con Son Pagoda, nestled amidst a pine forest, adds to the idyllic landscape with its timeless stone bridges and lotus-filled ponds.
These enchanting settings, steeped in history and spiritual resonance, continue to inspire pilgrims and travelers alike, offering a rare harmony of cultural heritage and natural beauty unique to Vietnam’s northeast.
A Spiritual Legacy Centered on Truc Lam Zen
The nomination process began in 2012, with more than a decade of meticulous collaboration between Vietnamese authorities and ICOMOS, UNESCO’s advisory body. Expert missions have surveyed and evaluated the sites across Quang Ninh, Hai Phong (formerly Hai Duong), and Bac Ninh (formerly Bac Giang) provinces.
At its heart, the complex represents the full journey of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism, uniquely founded by a king who abdicated his throne to pursue enlightenment and contribute to society through Buddhist teachings. Truc Lam Zen is notable for harmonizing Mahayana Buddhism with Confucianism, Taoism, and Vietnamese folk beliefs — extending beyond monastic life to influence governance, education, diplomacy, and healthcare.
The Core and Buffer Zones
According to the nomination dossier, the heritage complex covers a core zone of 525.75 hectares, surrounded by a buffer zone of 4,380.19 hectares to protect its cultural landscape and integrity under Vietnam’s Cultural Heritage and Forestry Laws.
The core zone comprises 12 key heritage components that illustrate the origin, spread, and flourishing of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism:
| No. | Site | Province | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hoa Yen (Yen Tu) Pagoda | Quang Ninh | Center of practice for Tran Nhan Tong, birthplace of Truc Lam Zen |
| 2 | Ngoa Van Hermitage | Quang Ninh | The sacred site where Tran Nhan Tong attained nirvana |
| 3 | Thai Mieu | Quang Ninh | Ancient meditation points along the Yen Tu pilgrimage |
| 4 | Bach Dang Stakes Field | Quang Ninh | A historic battlefield symbolizing patriotism and worldly engagement |
| 5 | Lan (Long Dong) Pagoda | Quang Ninh | Center for teaching and training Buddhist monks |
| 6 | Con Son Pagoda | Former Hai Duong | Where Master Huyen Quang developed Truc Lam’s worldly philosophy |
| 7 | Kiep Bac Temple | Former Hai Duong | Honoring Tran Hung Dao, blending state protection with Buddhist ideals |
| 8 | Thanh Mai Pagoda | Former Hai Duong | Associated with Master Phap Loa, second patriarch of Truc Lam |
| 9 | Kinh Chu Cave | Former Hai Duong | Known as Vietnam’s “sixth most beautiful cave” |
| 10 | Nham Duong Pagoda | Former Hai Duong | Where Zen Master Thuy Nguyet practiced |
| 11 | Bo Da Pagoda | Former Bac Giang | Renowned for its manuscripts and unique tower garden |
| 12 | Vinh Nghiem (Duc La) Pagoda | Former Bac Giang | Home to over 3,000 carved woodblocks recognized by UNESCO as a Documentary Heritage |
A Coherent Story of Vietnamese Zen Buddhism
During evaluations, ICOMOS initially expressed concerns that the narrative of the sites felt fragmented. Vietnam clarified that every component contributes to a single, coherent story: the birth at Yen Tu, the spread through Vinh Nghiem, and the flourishing at Con Son Kiep Bac. Together, they encapsulate the full arc of Truc Lam Zen’s cultural and spiritual impact.
This is also the only Buddhist sect in the world founded by a former king. Tran Nhan Tong not only renounced the throne but also pioneered a philosophy of “worldly engagement,” encouraging monks to serve society rather than retreat from it.
The complex’s cultural value is further reflected in its planned integration of temples, towers, hermitages, pilgrimage routes, woodblocks, and steles within a sacred natural landscape. Festivals such as the Yen Tu Spring Festival and Con Son Kiep Bac Festival continue to uphold spiritual traditions dating back hundreds of years.
A Living Heritage of Vietnamese Identity
The nomination underscores the unique Vietnamese identity of Truc Lam Zen, shaped by the principles of selflessness and social engagement, setting it apart from other Buddhist schools in the region. As Vietnam awaits UNESCO’s decision, the complex already stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of harmony between spirituality and worldly life — a legacy still vibrantly alive in the annual rituals and pilgrimages to this day.
Source: vnexpress
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