Hai Phong proposes joint UNESCO commemoration of Tue Tinh’s 700th birth anniversary

The Hai Phong People’s Committee has recently issued a plan to prepare a scientific dossier proposing that UNESCO join in commemorating the 700th birth anniversary of Great Physician and Zen Master Tue Tinh (1330–2030).

The dossier will focus on clarifying Tue Tinh’s life, career, legacy and influence in Vietnam, the region and internationally.

From October to December 2026, the city will conduct fieldwork, investigations and surveys, and collect materials, documents and research works on Tue Tinh. It will also compile a list of geographical locations, streets, buildings, schools, medical facilities, historical sites, pagodas with medicinal herb gardens, and medical examination and treatment facilities named after or associated with Tue Tinh.

In 2027, the focus will shift to researching and assessing Tue Tinh’s contributions and influence in the fields of medicine, Buddhism, literature and culture. The city will also study his regional and international influence.

In May 2027, the city is expected to organise a national-level scientific conference entitled “Tue Tinh – His Life, Career and Heritage Values”. An international scientific conference entitled “Tue Tinh – Heritage Values and Domestic and International Influence” is scheduled for October 2027.

Based on the collected materials and conference findings, the first-stage dossier framework is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2027. From January to March 2028, the city will seek feedback from experts, scientists and researchers to finalise the dossier and accompanying materials, including films, videos and photo albums.

From April to June 2028, the Hai Phong People’s Committee will submit the dossier to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for appraisal. It will then be submitted to the Prime Minister for consideration and a decision on whether to propose that UNESCO join in commemorating Tue Tinh’s 700th birth anniversary. The dossier will be translated into English and is expected to be submitted to the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO in September 2028.

In 2029, the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO will coordinate with the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to UNESCO to seek support for the dossier from at least two countries. The candidate dossier is expected to be submitted to UNESCO’s Executive Board in Paris before January 15, 2029. The city plans to establish a delegation to travel to Paris to lobby for support in March 2029 and, if required, finalise the dossier in accordance with UNESCO’s requirements before October 2029.

If UNESCO approves the proposal, Hai Phong will organise activities to commemorate Tue Tinh’s 700th birth anniversary in 2030. These will include a commemorative ceremony at UNESCO headquarters, at least one subregional, regional or international-level activity, and activities in the city.

Great Physician and Zen Master Tue Tinh, whose real name was Nguyen Ba Tinh, was born in 1330 in the former Hai Duong region, now part of Hai Phong. He was a prominent physician during the Tran Dynasty and a Zen master who made significant contributions to traditional Vietnamese medicine.

The preparation of the dossier is not only aimed at the 2030 commemorative event. It is also a process of researching, verifying and systematising Tue Tinh’s heritage values. This will provide Hai Phong with a stronger basis for preserving and promoting his legacy and introducing the contributions of Vietnamese medicine to the international community.

HAI HAU

HAI HAU