Speaking with the press, Mai Son, Standing Vice Chairman of Bac Ninh Province People’s Committee, shared that this complex is Vietnam’s ninth site to be honored as a World Heritage property.

Spanning the provinces and cities of Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh, and Hai Phong, the heritage complex comprises 12 historical and scenic sites that have been integrated into a unified whole - spatially and spiritually.

“This is a trans-provincial heritage complex, consisting of multiple component sites, each with its own unique characteristics and values. This poses major challenges in compiling documentation, coordinating management, preserving, and promoting the heritage’s value,” said Mai Son.

He explained that the nomination required extensive research and scientific documentation to demonstrate the outstanding universal value of the site. This included archaeological, historical, and cultural evidence to illustrate the formation, development, and influence of Truc Lam Buddhism. It also demanded substantial coordination to address revisions from ICOMOS.

According to Mai Son, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda (Tan An Ward) and Bo Da Pagoda (Van Ha Ward) are recognized as two important centers of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism, playing key roles in preserving and promoting the faith. Notably, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda houses a remarkable woodblock archive - 3,050 woodblocks containing Buddhist scriptures, medical texts, and religious rules in Han and Nom characters - recognized by UNESCO as part of the Memory of the World Programme for Asia-Pacific.

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Bac Ninh is home to two of the twelve sites in the newly recognized world heritage complex: Vinh Nghiem Pagoda and Bo Da Pagoda.

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Vinh Nghiem Pagoda (also known as Duc La Pagoda) is one of Vietnam’s oldest temples and a standout example of historical, cultural, and architectural heritage. Located in Quoc Khanh Village, Tan An Commune, Bac Ninh Province.
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Built during the Ly Dynasty, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda was later restored by King Tran Nhan Tong in the 13th century and became a key center of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism. Over 700 years later, it still retains its ancient charm.
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Among the pagoda’s greatest treasures is its woodblock archive - over 3,050 engraved wooden printing blocks dating from the 17th to early 20th centuries. These contain Buddhist texts, religious rules, and traditional medicine.
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Vinh Nghiem Pagoda’s architecture combines traditional Vietnamese design with modern touches. The temple features gracefully curved tiled roofs and intricate carvings, complemented by updated facilities for worshippers and visitors.
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With its large, stately architecture reflecting the zenith of Tran-era Buddhism, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda was designated a national historical-cultural site in 1964. Its festival was later recognized in 2015 as an intangible national heritage.
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Bo Da Pagoda is one of the most ancient and revered temples in the Kinh Bac region. Its formal name is Quan Am Pagoda of Mount Bo Da, or Bo Da Son Quan Am Son Tu. The temple rests on the northern slope of Phoenix Mountain in Bo Da range, near the poetic Cau River.
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Bo Da Pagoda is also home to one of Vietnam’s largest and most beautiful tower gardens, with 110 towers and stupas of various sizes. Among them, 97 ancient towers hold the relics of 1,214 monks from the Lam Te Zen sect.
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Most towers in the garden are 3-4 tiers high, ranging from 3-5 meters, with some dedicated to Zen patriarchs being even taller.
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The architecture of Bo Da Pagoda is unique compared to typical northern Vietnamese temples. Designed in the "inward open, outward closed" layout, it is enclosed by lush bamboo hedges and earthen walls like a natural fortress - evoking a sacred, secluded atmosphere. The tower garden has been recognized by the Vietnam Record Association as the largest of its kind in the country.


Bao Khanh