Connecting and enhancing value of UNESCO heritage in Hai Phong
After the ‘Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac’ complex was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site, five component relics in Hai Phong have become ‘golden links’ in the heritage value chain.
When heritage is “connected”
“Immediately after the ‘Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac’ complex was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site, our department directed its subordinate units to develop three new tourism routes to connect Hai Phong’s component relics within the heritage complex,” said Tran Thi Hoang Mai, Director of the Hai Phong Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
According to the department, organizing three new tours is part of a plan to promote the value of the heritage following its UNESCO recognition, aiming to attract more visitors to the relics. Among them, the “One journey – five destinations” tour is considered the flagship product, as it creates a complete link between the component relics within the same cultural space.
Visitors begin the journey at Kiep Bac temple, Con Son pagoda, then continue to Thanh Mai pagoda, Kinh Chu cave, and Nham Duong pagoda. In addition to offering incense and learning about the lives and careers of national heroes Tran Hung Dao and Nguyen Trai, and three Patriarchs of Truc Lam Zen, visitors can also experience rituals, woodblock printing, calligraphy, traditional cake making, etc.
“This tour has clear strategic value, transforming multiple scattered relics into a cross-regional product with greater appeal than the individual sites alone. Moreover, the tour goes beyond worship activities, offering hands-on experiences for visitors,” said Mai Xuan Thang, Chairman of the Hai Phong Tourism Association.
A boost for spiritual tourism
More than just a tourism product, the “One journey – five destinations” tour is a “key to unlocking” Hai Phong’s role within the global heritage space. Instead of merely standing on the sidelines of pilgrimages to Yen Tu (Quang Ninh) or Vinh Nghiem (Bac Ninh), Hai Phong now has a distinctive product closely linked to the overall heritage network, creating sustainable cross-regional value.
Previously, many relics in Hai Phong, despite their significant historical and cultural value, were underutilized and lacked connectivity in tourism development. The “One journey – five destinations” tour addresses this gap, creating a deep experiential chain that combines meditation, religion, and daily life, both sacred and accessible.
“Previously there were tours to Con Son – Kiep Bac, but now the goal is to renew this tour and upgrade the quality of the product, enhance the visitor experience, and strengthen connections with component heritage sites in Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh, and beyond,” said Bui Van Hoa, Deputy Head of the Division of Tourism Promotion and Resource Development under the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
By connecting the five component relics, Hai Phong not only revives the Truc Lam Zen but also opens a new direction for cultural and spiritual tourism. Through a modern approach, the historical values of these relics will be revitalized, applied in today’s life, and continued through the pride of Hai Phong residents.
TUAN LINH