(BGO) – The Complex of Yen Tu Monuments and Landscapes includes a system of historical and cultural relic sites associated with the birth, formation and development of the Tran Dynasty and Truc Lam Zen sect in Vietnam. The drafting of a scientific dossier to submit to UNESCO for recognition of the complex as a world cultural heritage is underway. Once approved, it is expected to be the first interprovincial world heritage of Vietnam.
Determining this as an important task, over the past time, the three provinces of Quang Ninh, Bac Giang and Hai Duong have closely coordinated with each other in making the dossier, step by step achieving important milestones.
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The procession of the statues of the three founders of the Truc Lam Zen sect from Vinh Nghiem Pagoda to Thuong (Upper) Tay Yen Tu Pagoda. |
Recently, the Department of Culture and Sports of Quang Ninh province has actively partnered with the Department of Science and Technology, the People's Committee of Uong Bi city, the Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bac Giang and Hai Duong, the Department of Heritage under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Vietnam UNESCO Committee and relevant units to review and evaluate the progress of making the Yen Tu Profile in order to ensure it is carried out methodically, meeting the set tasks and schedule.
After many steps of appraisal, a summary report on the Complex of Yen Tu Monuments and Landscapes with the participation of experts on history, culture, geology and archeology has been completed. On February 5, 2021, UNESCO issued a document confirming the inclusion of the Yen Tu complex on the list of expected nominations.
The summary report on the profile of Yen Tu Complex in Quang Ninh, Bac Giang and Hai Duong has been officially posted on the list expected for world heritage dossier drafting on the World Heritage Center's website.
On March 31, 2021, the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province issued Decision No. 966/QD-UBND approving the plan to build Yen Tu dossier on the basis of consensus of the People's Committees of Bac Giang and Hai Duong provinces. This was followed by approval of the budget estimate for the dossier making in August 2021.
The implementation of three science and technology tasks at provincial level in 2021, including: "Studying cultural and historical values of the Complex of Yen Tu Monuments and Landscapes"; “Studying the system of architectural monuments and landscapes in the Complex of Yen Tu Monuments and Landscapes”; and "Studying characteristics, geological and geomorphological values and biodiversity of the Complex of Yen Tu Monuments and Landscapes" and survey, excavation, and archeology work at relic sites of the Complex of Yen Tu Monuments and Landscapes were also conducted. The three provinces coordinated to ensure the set goals and plans.
At the end of January, the People's Committees of the three provinces agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the making of the Yen Tu Profile to submit to UNESCO for recognition of the complex as a World Heritage Site (the stage of completing the dossier).
The provinces also directed their Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism to collaborate with the Vietnam Archaeological Association to actively study, survey, propose and organize archaeological excavations at some relics site in each province to have practical results as the scientific basis, true data and material evidence, as well as clarify the content, nature and value of the sites and monuments serving the research and supplementation for the drafting of the Yen Tu Profile.
Simultaneously, they also instructed the relevant departments, agencies, localities and relic site management boards to review the entire system of relic sites belonging to the Complex of Yen Tu Monuments and Landscapes to have plans to embellish the landscapes and the environment at key relic sites on the basis of the proposal of the consulting unit for making the Yen Tu Profile in order to welcome UNESCO experts for a fact-finding tour.
The three provinces have agreed to set up an executive board in charge of completing Yen Tu Profile led by three Vice Chairmen of the provincial People's Committees. The board meets twice a week in person or online to review the progress, promptly remove difficulties and problems, and launch the next tasks.
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