It is part of the series of events celebrating the ceremony to receive a UNESCO certificate recognizing Dong Ho folk painting as an intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding, alongside the announcement of the Yen Tu–Vinh Nghiem–Con Son, Kiep Bac complex as a World Heritage Site and the “Returning to the Heritage land – 2026” festival.

The procession ritual at Vinh Nghiem pagoda festival 2025.

A number of traditional rituals will be solemnly organized including a procession of palanquins and offerings (the “Ba La” procession), incense offering at the Three Jewels, commemoration of the three founders of Truc Lam Zen sect and praying for national peace and prosperity, which vividly recreate the cultural values of Truc Lam Buddhism.

The highlight is the opening ceremony programme “Buddhist Cultural Night,” which will be elaborately staged with a harmonious combination between tradition and modernity.

The lantern festival, together with a variety of traditional cultural and folk-art activities such as community art performances, rural market space and folk games, will create a joyful atmosphere and tighten community bonds.

Besides, experiential activities like taking refuge in the Three Jewels and Buddhist teaching are promoted to spread the values of humanity and encourage virtuous living.

Vinh Nghiem (or Duc La pagoda) is considered the cradle of Truc Lam Zen sect, which takes an important position in the Buddhist history in Tran dynasty as well as Vietnamese Buddhism.

This is a significant relic site included in the world heritage of Yen Tu–Vinh Nghiem–Con Son, Kiep Bac complex.

It is also preserving the Buddhism woodblocks recognised by UNECO as the documentary heritage under the Memory of the World Programme in Asia-Pacific region and the statues of three founders of Truc Lam Buddhist Zen sect, a national treasure.

Vinh Nghiem pagoda festival, a national intangible heritage, is held annually to worship and commemorate the predecessors conveying profound significance in honoring and promoting the nation’s heritage values.

Exhibition introduces Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac World Cultural Heritage

The exhibition showcases more than 150 photos, documents and artefacts highlighting the development of Truc Lam Buddhism, the cultural and landscape values of the heritage complex, and the 13-year journey to prepare the UNESCO nomination dossier.

 

Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac: cultural heritage with global resonance

UNESCO’s inscription is grounded in criteria on the Outstanding Universal Value, underscoring the organic relationship between the sacred landscape of the Yen Tu mountains and the Con Son–Kiep Bac area, Truc Lam Buddhist thought, and the political authority of the Tran Dynasty.

 

Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac complex receives UNESCO certificate

The complex is assessed as a unified and interconnected heritage space that fully reflects the formation, development and far-reaching influence of Vietnam’s unique cultural and spiritual values.

 

Moments of Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac heritage

BAC NINH - To promote the unique cultural values of the newly recognised Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac World Heritage complex and to showcase the landscape and people of Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh and Hai Phong, Bac Ninh Newspaper, Radio & Television Station partnered with media agencies in Quang Ninh and Hai Phong to launch the photo contest “Moments of Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac heritage”. 

Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac photo contest launched

The contest aims to promote the unique beauty associated with the preservation and enhancement of the values of the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac world heritage complex.

 

PM attends ceremony announcing UNESCO World Heritage status for Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac Complex

The Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac Complex is the 9th world heritage of Vietnam and the second inter-provincial world heritage, after Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago in Quang Ninh province and Hai Phong city.