Con Son, Kiep Bac – convergence of quintessence and heroic spirit
THANH CHUNG – GIANG SON DONG•24/12/2025 11:00
Con Son – Kiep Bac tourist attractions in Hai Phong city are an important part of the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac World Cultural Heritage complex.
Con Son – Kiep Bac is a renowned scenic complex that brings together the harmonious beauty of mountains, forests, rivers, and streams, and is home to many important historical and cultural relics of the nation. The site is closely associated with the Truc Lam Zen sect, the heroic spirit of the Tran Dynasty, celebrity Nguyen Trai, and many other outstanding figures.Con Son – Kiep Bac Festivals are one of the largest and most representative traditional festivals in the Northeast region. They are held annually to commemorate predecessors who made great contributions to the nation, especially Tran Hung Dao, Tran kings, and eminent monks of the Truc Lam Zen sect.The reenactment of the naval military ceremony on the Luc Dau river during the Con Son – Kiep Bac Autumn Festival not only evokes the heroic spirit of the resistance war against the Yuan-Mongol invaders, but also affirms the military art and outstanding organizational and command talent of Tran Hung Dao, making a special contribution to world military history.The water procession ritual is one of the most important and distinctive ceremonies of the Con Son – Kiep Bac Spring Festival. It honors water as an element closely associated with production, folk beliefs, and the aspiration for favorable weather, national prosperity, and social harmony in the Red River Delta community.A costume recreates the heroic image of the Tran Dynasty army.Thanh Mai pagoda is closely associated with the life and monastic career of Zen Master Phap Loa Dong Kien Cuong, the second Patriarch of the Truc Lam Zen sect. Thanh Mai Vien Thong Thap stele, erected in 1362 and preserved at the pagoda, records his background and career. It is an important national treasure, providing valuable information on the history of Buddhism and contemporary society.The maple forest on Tam Ban peak is not only a distinctive scenic attraction but also evidence of the biodiversity of the world heritage complex.
