Consulting organization for UNESCO to appraise in Hai Duong the nomination dossier of Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac

On August 12, the delegation surveyed Nham Duong Pagoda, Kinh Chu Cave (Kinh Mon), listened to a brief introduction about the relics, the Relic Management Board and the zoning system for protecting the Kinh Chu - Nham Duong relics.

After visiting the sites, Mr. Ratish Nanda, an ICOMOS expert, highly appreciated the efforts of the local authorities in demarcating the protected areas. Mr. Ratish Nanda emphasized that it is necessary to mark the boundaries of the protected areas, clearly showing the components of houses and fields so that the map is closer to reality.

Many issues of interest to ICOMOS experts have been clarified by domestic experts, scientists, and leaders of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Kinh Mon town, such as: The relationship between Kinh Chu cave, Nham Duong pagoda and the Bach Dang historical relic site (Yen Giang stake field, Van Muoi field, Ma Ngua field), Quang Ninh province; the complete authenticity and outstanding global value of Kinh Chu cave and Nham Duong pagoda; regulations, management plans and orientations for promoting the nominated heritage of Kinh Mon town...

On August 13, the delegation surveyed Kiep Bac Temple, Con Son Pagoda, Thanh Mai Pagoda (Chi Linh City), listened to a brief introduction about the relics, the Relic Management Board and the zoning system to protect the Con Son - Kiep Bac relic site.

This is an important assessment by the ICOMOS expert team. The assessment report of the team is one of the important bases for UNESCO to consider and recognize the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac relic and landscape complex as a world heritage.

Previously, UNESCO expert delegations had visited Hai Duong many times to survey and advise on the construction of a dossier to nominate the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son and Kiep Bac relic and landscape complex to become a world heritage site.

The dossier of the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac relic and scenic complex is the first dossier located in 3 provinces with 20 relic sites and clusters, including 1 national relic and 7 special national relics.

The construction of the dossier for world heritage recognition for the relic complex was initiated in 2013 but then had to be temporarily suspended to supplement and prove the criteria required by UNESCO, including outstanding universal value, integrity and authenticity.

In 2020, the three provinces of Quang Ninh, Bac Giang, and Hai Duong organized 6 international conferences and seminars, conducted archaeological excavations at 9 relic sites, and implemented a series of research topics to determine values ​​and supplement heritage records.

Earlier this year, the dossier of the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiep Bac relic and landscape complex was submitted to UNESCO for recognition as a world heritage site. If recognized, this will be the second inter-provincial world heritage site in Vietnam after Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago (located in Quang Ninh and Hai Phong provinces).