Pride and responsibility as Hai Phong gains world heritage title

July 12, 2025 marks a significant milestone as Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac landscape and relic complex was officially recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site.

Among the five heritage sites in Hai Phong city, Con Son pagoda and Kiep Bac temple in Tran Hung Dao ward stand out as cultural and historical landmarks, closely tied to renowned historical figures such as Hung Dao Great Lord Tran Quoc Tuan, National Hero and World Cultural Celebrity Nguyen Trai, and Venerable Huyen Quang, a prominent successor of Truc Lam Zen during the Tran dynasty.

Con Son pagoda was originally built during the Dinh – Early Le dynasties (10^th – 11th centuries). In the Tran era, it became one of the three most prominent centers of Truc Lam Zen, with all three patriarchs practicing and preaching there.

The pagoda still preserves architectural imprints from the 14th and 17^th – 19th centuries, along with many antiquities like towers, stone steles, worship statues, and inscribed tablets.

Kiep Bac temple, meanwhile, was constructed on the site of the residence and estate where Hung Dao Great Lord Tran Quoc Tuan trained his soldiers. It was a prime example of Dai Viet's Daoist architecture, while also reflecting the syncretism of Buddhism, Confucianism, and local beliefs of the time.

Traditional festivals held there not only have profound spiritual significance but also demonstrate the enduring vitality of national culture passed down through generations.

Sharing in this joy, residents of Pham Su Manh and Nhi Chieu wards are proud that Nham Duong pagoda and Kinh Chu cave are located within the newly recognized heritage complex.

Kinh Chu cave in Pham Su Manh ward is famous for its unique collection of cliff inscriptions. The cave features 47 stone inscriptions carved directly into its rock walls. These inscriptions, spanning from the 14th to the 20th century, were created by various authors and cover a wide range of topics, forming a veritable museum of epigraphy over six centuries.

Nham Duong pagoda in Nhi Chieu ward is regarded as the founding site of Vietnamese Caodong School. It was the residence of Saint Patriarch Dao Nam Thong Giac Thuy Nguyet (1637 – 1704), the first patriarch of Vietnamese Caodong School in the 17th and 18th centuries. He was the 36th generation of the Caodong lineage and the founder of the Nham Duong spiritual center.

Many traces remain of the ancient sacred site where the patriarch passed away, along with old relics of the pagoda. Among these is the Thanh Quang Thien Tu stele, erected in the 12th year of Tu Duc’s reign, which stands out for its exquisite decorative details and is representative of Nguyen dynasty sculpture in Northern Vietnam.

Nham Duong is not only an ancient pagoda but also a testament to the continuous and creative development of Vietnamese Buddhism.

“Kinh Chu cave and Nham Duong pagoda were already recognized by the State for their historical and cultural significance. UNESCO’s recognition further affirms their global cultural value,” said Le Thi Thuong, a resident of Pham Su Manh ward.

This international recognition acknowledges the cultural value of the relics while also placing responsibility on all parties, not only heritage managers, but also local authorities and communities, to preserve and promote them.

That means protecting the integrity of the sites from construction or uncontrolled tourism development, safeguarding the natural landscape and environment around them, and maintaining the sanctity of these sacred places. It also requires organizing festivals in a civilized and selective manner, allowing traditional spiritual values to thrive...

“Con Son pagoda and Kiep Bac temple are two of the 12 sites in the newly recognized UNESCO heritage complex. This is a strong boost for local tourism and sets a new development direction for Tran Hung Dao ward,” said Nguyen Minh Thang, Secretary of the Party Committee of Tran Hung Dao ward.

The five relics in Hai Phong that were inscribed by UNESCO are not only the pride of a single locality but also vivid evidence of the enduring vitality of Vietnamese culture within the global heritage landscape.

TAM PHUC