Con Son – Kiep Bac Relic Site shines through artistic photography

Sacred Moments

From February 28 to March 11, amid the crowds attending the spring festival at Con Son – Kiep Bac Relic Site, the exhibition space “Heritage Moments” has become a special stop for visitors. The display area is thoughtfully and solemnly designed, blending the vibrant colors of the festival with artistic photographic compositions, creating an impressive journey of exploration.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong, Deputy Director of Hoang Nam Phat Cooperative in Thach Khoi Ward, shared that this year, when Hai Phong and Hai Duong have been merged administratively, the festival offers the feeling of a broader space, organized on a larger and more well-prepared scale. The photographs displayed at the Con Son heritage site allow her to clearly sense the sacred beauty of the heritage, bringing a feeling of serenity and calm when entering this spiritual place.

According to her, history depicted through each frame not only recalls the victories and glories created by previous generations but also represents a kind of spiritual achievement for later generations to remember, follow, and learn from.

Among the stream of visitors, Student Vu Phuong Nga of Binh Han Secondary School in Thanh Dong Ward, attentively observes each photograph. To her, every work is not only visually appealing in composition but also rich in traditional meaning.

“What our ancestors achieved is truly something to be proud of. I will try my best in my studies so that I can contribute to preserving those traditions,” Nga shared.

The simple words of the young student reflect how the influence of heritage goes beyond mere appreciation—it also plants a sense of responsibility in the younger generation.

Meanwhile, Mr. Pham Van Hoi, from Chan Hung Commune, views the exhibition from the perspective of cultural experience. According to him, the Con Son – Kiep Bac Spring Festival is not only an occasion for pilgrimage but also a space for cultural exchange and the promotion of local products. He was impressed by the way the organizers harmoniously combined traditional elements with modern approaches, creating an exciting atmosphere for visitors at the beginning of the year.

In particular, the photo exhibition area allows viewers to access information in a visual and accessible way, thereby fostering a deeper sense of pride as they immerse themselves in the heroic spirit of the nation’s history of resisting foreign invaders and the historical layers closely associated with the land of Con Son – Kiep Bac Relic Site.

More than one hundred photographs—more than one hundred slices of time. From majestic mountain landscapes and ancient architecture to solemn rituals, lively folk games, and tranquil moments of visitors, all together form a multidimensional portrait of the heritage land. Viewers do not merely see the images but also feel the breath of history and the intersection of nature, culture, and spiritual life.

The journey to affirm outstanding universal value

The “Heritage Moments” exhibition is a meaningful activity organized by the Hai Phong Museum to honor and promote the outstanding universal values of five component heritage sites in Hai Phong within the World Heritage complex: Con Son, Kiep Bac, Thanh Mai Pagoda, Kinh Chu Cave, and Nham Duong Archaeological Site.

The first section of the exhibition, themed “Representative Moments of the Heritage,” guides visitors through five thematic spaces: “Con Son – Convergence of Cultural Essence”; “Kiep Bac – The Heroic Spirit of Dong A, Eternal Sacredness”; “Thanh Mai – Enlightenment and Dissemination”; “Kinh Chu – A Museum of Stone Inscriptions”; “Nham Duong – Traces of Prehistoric Times”. Each space represents a distinct layer of cultural sediment.

At Con Son, cultural essence converges from the Truc Lam Zen Buddhist tradition to the legacy of the renowned historical figure Nguyen Trai. At Kiep Bac, the heroic Dong A spirit associated with the sacred aura of Tran Hung Dao still resonates through every ritual. Thanh Mai preserves the spiritual path of the Buddhist patriarch Phap Loa; Kinh Chu retains imperial and scholarly thoughts through its ancient stone steles; while Nham Duong opens a window to prehistoric times, providing evidence of early human settlement in this region.

The second section, titled “Moments of Con Son – A World Heritage Shine,” broadens the perspective by highlighting the outstanding universal value of the heritage complex. Through artistic photography, the exhibition showcases majestic natural landscapes, ancient architecture, and the enduring spiritual life that has flourished for centuries. The exhibition also reflects the result of a 13-year journey of persistent efforts, involving close cooperation among the three localities of Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, and Bac Ninh. On July 12, 2025, the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac Complex was officially inscribed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site, marking an important milestone that affirms the position of this heritage region on the global cultural map.

Beyond its display value, the exhibition also serves as a tribute to past generations who devoted great effort to nurturing and preserving these enduring cultural values. Through each photographic frame, the message of heritage preservation and promotion is conveyed in a gentle yet profound way: to understand more deeply is to love more, and to love is to join hands in protecting it.

In the midst of spring, as the sound of temple bells resonates and streams of pilgrims continue their journey, the exhibition “Heritage Moments” becomes a reflective highlight, allowing visitors to look back into history and feel the timeless beauty of their homeland. The heritage land of Con Son – Kiep Bac Relic Site shines not only through the golden pages of history but also through every artistic lens—where past and present meet in a shared sense of national pride.

Hai Hau