Not only a source of pride, this also serves as a driving force for local authorities, competent agencies, and businesses to operate new tours, helping visitors experience the area more deeply.

Tourists visiting Vinh Nghiem Pagoda (Tan An ward).

Recently, Nguyen Thi Thuong from Hanoi took a trip to the Kinh Bac heritage region.

The first stop was Vinh Nghiem Pagoda (Tan An ward), where she and her group listened to a guide introduce the history of the pagoda and the collection of Buddhist wooden printing blocks – a documentary heritage recognised under the "UNESCO's Memory of the World Regional Register – Asia and the Pacific."

The solemn space, the ancient pagoda roof, and the treasured artifacts and documents preserved here evoke the unique spiritual cultural values of the Truc Lam Buddhist Zen sect, founded by King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong in the 13th century.

Continuing the journey, the group visited Bo Da Pagoda (Van Ha ward) – an ancient temple situated on Phuong Hoang (Phoenix) Mountain, associated with the legend of a woodcutter and Quan Am Bo Tat (Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara) who appeared to save sentient beings.

After moments of quiet reflection at the Buddha’s doorstep, visitors immersed themselves in the atmosphere of the ancient Tho Ha village, experiencing the countryside market by the river, tasting crab noodle soup and rustic rice cakes, and making and drying spring roll wrappers by hand.

Thuong shared: "The heritage region’s ambiance made me feel like slowing down. One day is not enough to fully explore and understand the spiritual-cultural highlights of the land, so I will return for future trips."

Vinh Nghiem Pagoda and Bo Da Pagoda are two of the 12 component relics of the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac Complex of Monuments and Landscapes, spanning three localities: Bac Ninh, Quang Ninh, and Hai Phong.

This heritage complex is a sacred space, a convergence of the essence of Truc Lam Buddhism – a progressive, humane ideology connecting religion and life, accompanying the nation through many historical stages.

Immediately after the heritage was elevated to international status, many tourism businesses in Bac Ninh has proactively linked to expand scale and improve the quality of existing products, while designing new tours to attract visitors, contributing to spreading the unique cultural values of the heritage.

Tre Viet International Tourism Joint Stock Company – one of the major organisers of short pilgrimage tours at the beginning of the year – has now boldly introduced more than a dozen new products.

A typical example is the 3-day, 2-night tour “Discovering Kinh Bac Land – The Essence of Culture and Spirituality.”

Nguyen The Trong, the company’s director, said: "We want each tour to allow visitors to both pilgrimage and explore the natural landscapes, craft villages, cuisine, and experience local cultural life to fully feel the soul of the heritage land."

Dinh Anh International Trade and Tourism Co., Ltd. offers tours called “Heritage Journey – Colours of Kinh Bac,” connecting heritage sites with cultural-spiritual spaces, craft villages, and cuisine, helping visitors better understand the unique values of the local land and people.

On each journey, tourists visit relics, admire beautiful natural scenery, and learn about and experience the cultural colours of Tho Ha ancient village, Chu noodle village, Phu Lang pottery village, and Dong Ho paintings; enjoy Quan Ho (love duet) folk songs and local specialties.

The newly launched tours not only better serve the diverse demands of tourists, help promote and spread the heritage values, but also stimulate community-based tourism, creating livelihoods for local craft villages and service businesses.

Bac Ninh promotes value of Truc Lam Buddhist space — World Cultural Heritage

The Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son – Kiep Bac Relics and Landscape Complex in Bac Ninh Province, Quang Ninh Province, and Hai Phong City has been recognised as a World Cultural Heritage. Within which, the Tay Yen Tu Buddhist cultural space, a unique relic and landscape complex, is an important part of this heritage.

 

Bac Ninh promotes value of Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac heritage complex

BAC NINH - The Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac relic and scenic complex has officially been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage List, marking Vietnam’s ninth world heritage site. Two of the 12 component sites recognised within the heritage complex are located in Bac Ninh province: Vinh Nghiem Pagoda and Bo Da Pagoda.

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