Yen Tu Spring Festival 2026: The first festival of the World Cultural Heritage
WVR - On February 26 (the 10th day of the first lunar month, Year of the Horse), Quang Ninh province solemnly organized the Yen Tu Spring Festival 2026 – the first festival since the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac relic and scenic complex was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage.
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| The ceremony of offering tributes and carrying the palanquin at the Yen Tu Spring Festival 2026, recreating the traditional cultural beauty of the Truc Lam Zen sect. (Source: VNA) |
The event attracted a large number of delegates, monks, Buddhists, and tourists from all over, marking a new phase in the conservation and promotion of heritage values.
At the opening ceremony, Mr. Bui Van Khang, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee, affirmed that the World Heritage title is a great pride for the locality and the nation. It also sets higher demands for the management, preservation, and promotion of the site's values.
According to him, Yen Tu is not only a sacred scenic spot but also the cradle of the Truc Lam Zen sect founded by Tran Nhan Tong over seven centuries ago – a Zen sect rich in national identity, emphasizing the spirit of engagement with life and integrating religion with daily life.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Jonathan Wallace Baker, Chief Representative of UNESCO in Vietnam, expressed his admiration for the globally outstanding values of the relic complex.
He emphasized that the recognition is not only an international acknowledgment of Yen Tu's profound historical and cultural uniqueness but also a shared commitment to ensuring a balance between heritage conservation and sustainable development. UNESCO will continue to accompany and provide expertise to ensure the highest effectiveness in heritage management.
A new feature of this year's festival season is the introduction of preferential policies and management innovations. Quang Ninh province has decided to waive 100% of entrance fees to the Yen Tu scenic area from 2026 to the end of 2028; free vehicle parking at Ha Kieu bus station until the end of 2026, and provide insurance support for tourists throughout their visit.
Notably, the locality has applied AI technology in controlling the number of visitors entering and exiting the site through an automatic recognition system, contributing to enhancing service quality and ensuring safety.
The festival opening was solemn, featuring traditional rituals such as offering tributes, incense offerings, seal stamping, and palanquin carrying, recreating the distinctive cultural space of the Truc Lam Zen sect.
According to statistics, during the 9-day Tet holiday (February 14 - 22), the Yen Tu scenic relic area welcomed approximately 171,000 visitors, more than doubling compared to the same period last year.
The first festival season after being recognized as a World Heritage thus not only holds spiritual significance but also opens up expectations for a new development phase for Yen Tu – a place where historical value, national spirit, and global stature converge.
