Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac complex: New world heritage of Vietnam
TB (according to VNA)•14/07/2025 10:08
Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac complex, located across three Vietnamese localities of Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, and Bac Giang, has been recognised as a world heritage site.
Con Son scenic relic site, part of Con Son – Kiep Bac special national relic site (Hai Phong), is associated with many historical figures, most notably the temple dedicated to Nguyen Trai, a national hero and a world cultural celebrity
The ancient beauty of Thau Ngoc bridge inside Con Son pagoda, part of Con Son – Kiep Bac special national relic site
Con Son pagoda was built in the 14th century at the foot of Con Son mountain
The water procession ritual at the Con Son – Kiep Bac Spring Festival is a significant ceremony meant to collect water for bathing sacred statues. It also symbolizes community strength and the wish for peace and prosperity (2017)
The highlight of the Con Son scenic relic site is the temple dedicated to National Hero and World Cultural Celebrity Nguyen Trai
The “Fairy Chessboard” on the summit of Con Son mountain is a flat stone surface. The name was coined by locals to honour and admire the historical and poetic beauty of the site
Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen Monastery (also known as Lan pagoda), located on Yen Tu mountain in Yen Tu monument and landscape complex (Quang Ninh), was chosen by King Tran Nhan Tong as his place of monastic practice. The monastery was reconstructed in 2002
Tower garden of Hoa Yen pagoda, part of Yen Tu monument and landscape complex. Hoa Yen pagoda was first built during the Ly Dynasty and has undergone multiple restorations throughout history
Around the tomb of King Tran Hien Tong in Yen Tu monument and landscape complex remain many artefacts, including mandarin statues, sacred animal statues, and stone turtles
Mot Mai (one roof) pagoda, located in Yen Tu monument and landscape complex, is small but unique. It is the only site in Yen Tu that still preserves its original worship statues and altar items entirely made of white stone, dating to the late Le and early Nguyen Dynasties
Tay Yen Tu is home to a system of pagodas, stupas, and relics associated with the founding of the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect during the Tran Dynasty
Dong Pagoda in Yen Tu monument and landscape complex, made entirely of bronze, sits atop the highest peak of Yen Tu mountain
Hue Quang tower in Yen Tu relic and national forest is the stupa that houses the relics of King–Monk Tran Nhan Tong. Today, the Hue Quang tower garden contains 64 towers and tombs, of which 40 were restored in 2002
Vinh Nghiem pagoda (Bac Ninh), an ancient pagoda built during the Ly Dynasty, was later restored and developed by King–Monk Tran Nhan Tong in the 13th century as a key centre for Truc Lam Zen Buddhism
Vinh Nghiem pagoda (Bac Ninh) houses 3,050 woodblocks carved with Buddhist scriptures and Truc Lam texts in both Han and Nom scripts. These woodblocks were recognised by UNESCO in 2012 as part of a documentary heritage items in the Asia-Pacific Region's Memory of the World Program
