The event took place at the Tam Chuc tourism site in Tam Chuc ward and was attended by National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh, Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and abbot of Tam Chuc Pagoda, along with thousands of local residents and visitors.

At the ceremony, Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Thi Thu Hien presented the decision and the certificate to Ninh Binh.

Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of the Ninh Binh provincial People’s Committee Tran Song Tung described the recognition as a historic milestone for Tam Chuc and for Ninh Binh as a whole. The title not only acknowledges the site’s outstanding values but also affirms the province’s position on Vietnam’s heritage map, he said, stressing that it brings both pride and responsibility in preserving and promoting the relic for future generations.

Local authorities pledged to strictly implement regulations on heritage protection, step up communication and education efforts, particularly among younger generations, and closely link conservation with sustainable development. Cultural and religious festivals will be organised in a solemn, civilised and economical manner, while heritage values will be promoted alongside cultural tourism to improve local livelihoods.

In the coming time, Ninh Binh will work closely with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, experts, businesses and local communities to ensure sustainable preservation and restoration of the complex. The province also plans to gradually prepare a nomination dossier for “Tam Chuc Complex – Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve” to seek UNESCO World Heritage recognition.

Immediately after the certificate presentation, a special art programme titled “Tam Chuc Concert 2026” was staged.

Tam Chuc is a large cultural, spiritual and tourism complex linking Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Hung Yen and Phu Tho provinces. Archaeological artefacts found beneath Tam Chuc Lake and local folklore suggest that more than 1,000 years ago, during the Dinh Dynasty, the area was home to an ancient pagoda and a vibrant Buddhist centre.

Int’l conference advances UNESCO nomination of Tam Chuc – Van Long Complex

From limestone peaks to sacred spaces, the Tam Chuc Pagoda Complex and the Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve are being shaped for preservation and development in line with UNESCO World Heritage criteria.