The Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiep Bac
Heritage and Landscape Complex recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage
has opened a new door for Bac Ninh tourism. This is not only a source of pride,
but also a driving force for authorities at all levels, functional sectors and
businesses to operate new tours, helping tourists experience more deeply the
unique cultural and spiritual values of Kinh Bac land.
Vietnam Tour package
Bac Ninh tourism booms after world heritage designation
Where culture and spirituality meet
Recently, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuong from Hanoi had a trip to the Kinh Bac heritage
area. The first stop was Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, where she and other members of the
group listened to the tour guide introduce the history of the pagoda and the
Buddhist scripture woodblocks - a documentary heritage of the "Memory of the
World Asia - Pacific" program. The quiet space, ancient pagoda roof and
treasures and documents preserved here remind us of the unique spiritual and
cultural values ??of the Truc Lam Zen sect founded by Buddhist Emperor Tran Nhan
Tong in the 13th century.
Continuing the journey, the group visited Bo Da Pagoda - an ancient temple
located on Phuong Hoang Mountain associated with the legend of a woodcutter and
the Bodhisattva Quan Am appearing to save sentient beings. After moments of
meditation at the Buddha's door, visitors can immerse themselves in the space of
Tho Ha ancient village, experience the atmosphere of the rural market by the
river, taste crab vermicelli soup, rustic rice cakes and make and dry rice paper
themselves. Ms. Thuong said: "The space of the heritage site makes me feel like
I'm slowing down. A day is not enough to learn and explore all the unique
features of the spiritual culture of the land, so I will come back on future
trips."
Vinh Nghiem Pagoda and Bo Da Pagoda are two of the 12 component relics of the
Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac Heritage and Scenic Landscape Complex
located in three provinces: Bac Ninh, Quang Ninh, and Hai Phong. This heritage
complex is a sacred space, where the quintessence of Truc Lam Buddhism converges
- a progressive, humane ideology, connecting religion and life, accompanying the
nation through many historical periods. Immediately after the heritage was
upgraded to international status, many businesses operating in the Bac Ninh
tourism industry proactively linked to expand the scale, improve the quality of
existing products, and design new tours to attract tourists, contributing to
spreading the unique cultural values of the heritage.
Tre Viet company - one of the major units that mainly organizes short pilgrimage
tours at the beginning of the year, has now boldly launched more than a dozen
new products, with itineraries from 1 to 3 days, costing nearly 1 million VND to
more than 3 million VND. A typical example is the 3-day, 2-night tour
"Discovering Kinh Bac land - Cultural and spiritual quintessence". On the first
day, visitors visit Vinh Nghiem pagoda, offer incense to pray for peace, learn
about Buddhist scriptures; continue the journey to Tay Yen Tu - Dong Yen Tu,
worship Hoa Yen pagoda, Dong pagoda, and immerse themselves in the majestic
mountain and forest scenery. On the second day, visitors visit Con Son - Kiep
Bac - a place associated with the life and career of world cultural celebrity
Nguyen Trai; National hero Tran Hung Dao; Chu Van An temple... Before ending the
journey, visitors visit Do temple and ancient temples with unique architecture
such as: Phat Tich pagoda with a thousand-year-old Amitabha Buddha statue; Dau
Pagoda, But Thap Pagoda and learn about Vietnamese Buddhism, Ly Dynasty;
experience the process of making Dong Ho folk paintings.
Another attractive option is the "Heritage and Nature" tour, which takes
visitors to offer incense and worship at ancient pagodas: Vinh Nghiem, Bo Da,
Phat Tich, But Thap…; and visit spiritual and ecological tourist areas and
destinations such as Suoi Mo, Tay Yen Tu, Bau Tien resort. Director of the
company said: “We hope that in each tour, visitors will both make a pilgrimage
and explore the natural scenery, craft villages, cuisine, and experience the
indigenous cultural life to fully feel the soul of the heritage land”.
Dinh Anh tourism company introduces the "Heritage Journey - Kinh Bac Colors"
tours connecting heritage with cultural - spiritual spaces, craft villages and
cuisine to help visitors better understand the unique values ??of the land and
local people. In each journey, visitors can visit relics, admire beautiful
natural scenery, learn and experience the cultural colors of Tho Ha ancient
village, Chu noodle village, Phu Lang pottery village, Dong Ho paintings...;
enjoy Quan Ho folk songs and specialties. Recently, the Bac Ninh Center for
Culture and Tourism Promotion has built a number of sample tours "Following the
footsteps of the Buddha" connecting Bac Ninh - Quang Ninh - Hai Phong,
suggesting businesses to flexibly implement according to the season, creating
diverse products rich in identity. At the same time, the Provincial Tourism
Association guides and supports member businesses to strengthen links with the
government and businesses of Quang Ninh province and Hai Phong city to build and
exploit attractive tours associated with exploring world heritage.
Improve the quality of tourism products
With the advantage of being the gateway to Hanoi Capital , convenient connection
with Quang Ninh, Hai Phong and neighboring provinces, along with the unique
values ??of the World Heritage Complex of Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep
Bac, Bac Ninh province identifies this as a "golden opportunity" to affirm the
brand of "heritage destination" on the Northern tourism map.
To make the journey to the heritage land a profound and impressive experience
for tourists, Bac Ninh province is focusing on implementing many solutions,
closely connecting the government, businesses and the community. Businesses and
travel agencies are increasing promotion and cooperation to design and operate
quality tours.
The project "Restoring the Path of Buddhism Propagation of the Patriarchs of
Truc Lam Yen Tu" has been implemented by the province since 2023, connecting
dozens of typical relics and landscapes, forming spiritual tourism products of
national and international stature. In the coming time, the "Following the
Footsteps of the Buddha" tours will be increasingly exploited. This is a
continuous tourist route, connecting the spiritual cultural space of Tay Yen Tu
(Bac Ninh) - Dong Yen Tu (Quang Ninh) - Con Son, Kiep Bac (Hai Phong) and adding
many more attractions and experiences along the route for tourists. Along with
preserving and embellishing heritage, in the coming time, the province will
strengthen links and cooperation with provinces and cities to develop
inter-regional and inter-provincial tourism. According to the Bac Ninh Tourism
Association, this cooperation not only expands the number of tourists but also
creates opportunities for businesses to improve service quality and extend the
length of stay and vacation of tourists. Currently, many businesses have
designed 2-3 day tours, combining pilgrimage, exploring landscapes, experiencing
craft villages, cuisine, and vacationing instead of just visiting during the
day.
The newly launched tours not only better serve the diverse needs of tourists,
contribute to promoting and spreading the value of heritage, but also promote
community tourism, create livelihoods for craft villages and local service
businesses . To make the journey to the heritage area a profound and impressive
experience for tourists, Bac Ninh province is focusing on implementing many
solutions, closely connecting the government, businesses and the community.
Businesses and travel agencies are increasing promotion and cooperation to
design and operate quality tours.
Mr Dung from Dinh Anh company said: "Along with designing reasonable and
attractive tour schedules, the company focuses on training and fostering a team
of tour guides who are knowledgeable about heritage; upgrading means of
transportation; cooperating with destinations to add utilities and improve
service quality". Some businesses promote the application of digital technology
in propaganda and promotion to help tourists easily look up information and book
tours online. Businesses hope that the province will continue to attract
investment in building modern and synchronous accommodation, entertainment and
recreation infrastructure such as: standard hotels, restaurants, homestays,
forming shopping - culinary - night entertainment complexes; upgrading roads,
expanding parking lots... near relics and scenic spots, helping tourists have
complete and impressive journeys.
Source:
https://packagevietnamtours.com/vietnam_news/discovering-kinh-bac-land-new-tours-unveiled-after-unesco-recognition.asp.