Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son – Kiep Bac UNESCO World Heritage Site in Vietnam (2025)

On 12 July 2025, at the 47th session of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee in Paris, Vietnam officially added a new gem to its UNESCO World Heritage portfolio: the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son – Kiep Bac Relics and Landscape Complex. As the 9th UNESCO World Heritage Site in Vietnam and the first serial cultural site spanning multiple provinces, this recognition highlights the country’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage.

A Unique Inter-Provincial Cultural Landscape

Stretching across Quang Ninh, Bac Giang, and Hai Duong, this serial heritage complex connects 12 sacred and historical sites linked to the origin and evolution of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism, a distinctly Vietnamese Buddhist school founded by King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong in the 13th century.

Covering a core zone of 525.75 hectares and surrounded by a buffer zone of 4,380 hectares, the complex seamlessly blends spiritual architecture, mountain landscapes, and intangible cultural traditions. It also marks Vietnam’s second inter-provincial UNESCO site after the Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago.

Notable Sites Within the UNESCO-listed Complex

1. Yen Tu Mountain (Quang Ninh) – The Sacred Origin

Often referred to as the cradle of Truc Lam Buddhism, Yen Tu is where King Tran Nhan Tong renounced his throne to become a monk. Visitors can explore sacred landmarks like Hue Quang Tower, Hoa Yen Pagoda, Lan Pagoda, and the ancient pilgrimage route that winds through the misty mountains. Pilgrims and tourists alike are drawn to Yen Tu’s spiritual serenity, especially during early morning meditation walks to the summit.

2. Vinh Nghiem Pagoda (Bac Giang) – The Spiritual Library

Founded during the Ly Dynasty and expanded under Tran Nhan Tong, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda is known for preserving over 3,050 ancient woodblock sutras, which were recognized by UNESCO as a Memory of the World (Asia-Pacific) in 2012. The pagoda remains an active site for Buddhist education and ceremonies.

3. Con Son – Kiep Bac (Hai Duong) – Heritage of Harmony

Rich in both historical and spiritual values, Con Son – Kiep Bac was the home of Nguyen Trai, a revered national hero and poet, and Zen Master Huyen Quang, the third patriarch of Truc Lam Buddhism. Surrounded by lush forests and rolling hills, this area hosts traditional festivals, water rituals, and sacred temples that honor Vietnam’s heroes and Buddhist masters.

UNESCO Recognition & Outstanding Universal Value

The complex earned its World Heritage status under the following UNESCO criteria:

• Criterion (iii): Represents a living testimony of a unique cultural and religious tradition combining state governance, community practices, and Buddhist philosophy, exemplified by Truc Lam Zen.
• Criterion (vi): Holds direct association with the profound teachings of Truc Lam Buddhism, emphasizing peace, tolerance, moral integrity, and environmental harmony—core values that have shaped Vietnamese society for centuries.

A Living Legacy of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism

Unlike other Buddhist traditions imported from India or China, Truc Lam Buddhism emerged in Vietnam as a synthesis of Buddhist meditation (Chan), Confucian ethics, Daoist metaphysics, and Vietnamese folk beliefs. This uniquely indigenous philosophy, championed by King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong, helped unify the nation both spiritually and politically during the Tran Dynasty, and continues to influence Vietnam’s identity today.

Pilgrimage sites within the complex not only preserve ancient architecture and artifacts but also maintain vibrant, community-driven festivals and rituals, showcasing the living heritage of Vietnam.

A Transformative Pathway to Inner Peace and Cultural Insight

For travelers seeking more than just sightseeing, the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son – Kiep Bac complex offers a profound spiritual journey through the ages. Popular activities include:

• Climbing Yen Tu Mountain at dawn for meditation above the clouds
• Admiring centuries-old woodblock scriptures at Vinh Nghiem Pagoda
• Joining local festivals at Con Son – Kiep Bac that honor national heroes and Buddhist saints

Whether you are a history enthusiast, a devotee of Zen spirituality, or a lover of traditional Vietnamese culture, this UNESCO World Heritage site promises a transformative experience.

Sustainable Heritage and Global Cultural Significance

This new inscription reflects Vietnam’s commitment to protecting and promoting cultural landscapes, not only for national pride but also for sustainable tourism and education. Serving as a profound symbol of Vietnam’s spiritual depth and historical continuity, the complex is a testament to the interweaving of nature, spirituality, and human legacy, offering timeless lessons in harmony, humility, and heritage preservation.

Plan your journey to Vietnam’s spiritual heartland and explore a place where mountains echo with chants, ancient scriptures preserve wisdom, and stone pagodas whisper stories of kings turned monks.