The Yen Tu Festival 2025 began on December 18 in Quang Ninh province, offering a lively cultural showcase that introduces Vietnam to the world as a safe, welcoming nation with a rich and diverse identities.

Delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Yen Tu Festival “Heritage journey – world essence”.

Taking place under the theme “Heritage Journey – World Essence,” the festival was organised to mark the 717th anniversary of King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong’s attainment of nirvana, while celebrating the official UNESCO inscription of the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac complex as a World Cultural Heritage Site.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Nguyen Viet Dung, Director of the provincial Department of Culture and Sports, said Yen Tu represents not only a distinctive cultural and spiritual space, but also a powerful symbol of the harmony between religion and daily life, and between Buddhist humanistic thought and the Vietnamese people’s patriotic spirit.

The UNESCO recognition is more than a source of pride for residents, serving instead as a key foundation for culture to act as a breakthrough driver of national development, he said.

With its role as a bridge linking the past, present and future, the Yen Tu Festival 2025 features a range of activities, highlighted by an exhibition presenting artefacts, ancient documents and modern 3D digital materials related to the Truc Lam Zen Sect.

On display are portraits of King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong, woodblocks from Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, and a 3D reconstruction of Yen Tu during the Tran Dynasty, offering visitors a vivid glimpse into a flourishing period of history.

The Heritage Film Week, running from December 18 to 22, has also drawn strong public attention. In addition to cultural and spiritual programmes, the festival includes lively sports activities and trade promotion events.

A Quan ho performance by artists of the Bac Ninh Quan họ Theatre.

Earlier, on December 14, the cycling race “Journey to the Heritage Land” attracted more than 400 athletes from 18 provinces and cities, creating a meaningful route connecting major heritage sites.

Meanwhile, the OCOP (One Commune One Product) trade fair and food festival introduced visitors to outstanding local specialities from Quang Ninh, Hai Phong and Bac Ninh.

Dung highlighted that the Yen Tu Festival is a great chance for Vietnam to show the world its strong dedication to protecting, preserving, and promoting world heritage values.

Local communities put heritage at the centre of development, aiming to strike a balance between conservation and creative growth while staying true to sustainability.

The Yen Tu Festival 2025 will run until December 22.

Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac photo contest launched

The contest aims to promote the unique beauty associated with the preservation and enhancement of the values of the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac world heritage complex.

 

Yen Tu autumn festival 2025 opens with theme “Meditative autumn hues”

BAC NINH – The People’s Committee of Yen Tu ward in coordination with the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Quang Ninh province and the Yen Tu Relic and Scenic Site Management Board on October 5 held the opening ceremony of the Yen Tu Autumn Festival 2025 themed “Meditative autumn hues.” 

Linkages needed to develop unique tourism products in Yen Tu region

BAC NINH - The Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac Complex of Monuments and Landscapes, recently recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, has opened up significant opportunities for cultural and spiritual tourism development in the Northeastern region of Vietnam. Therefore, linkages in building unique tours and tourism products in the Yen Tu area not only contributes to the preservation and promotion of heritage values but also drives sustainable socio-economic development.

Quang Ninh to host first Yen Tu autumn festival

The Yen Tu Autumn Festival will take place for the first time at the Yen Tu Historical and Scenic Relic Complex – a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, in Yen Tu Ward, Quang Ninh Province, from September to December 2025.

 

PM attends ceremony announcing UNESCO World Heritage status for Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac Complex

The Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac Complex is the 9th world heritage of Vietnam and the second inter-provincial world heritage, after Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago in Quang Ninh province and Hai Phong city.

 

Bac Ninh promotes value of Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac heritage complex

BAC NINH - The Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac relic and scenic complex has officially been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage List, marking Vietnam’s ninth world heritage site. Two of the 12 component sites recognised within the heritage complex are located in Bac Ninh province: Vinh Nghiem Pagoda and Bo Da Pagoda.