Vietnam advances UNESCO nomination of Tam Chuc – Van Long Complex

A view of the international conference in Ninh Binh province, which sets course for UNESCO nomination of the Tam Chuc Pagoda Complex and the Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve. (Photo courtesy of Ninh Bình Provincial People’s Committee)

Ninh Binh (VNA) – An international conference on the delineation of the proposed nomination area and the identification of outstanding universal value criteria for the UNESCO world heritage nomination of the Tam Chuc Pagoda Complex and the Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve was held recently in Ninh Binh province.

Speaking at the January 14 event, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Tran Song Tung described the Tam Chuc – Van Long complex as a rare convergence of unspoilt nature, striking landscapes and distinctive spiritual culture. Together, they represent the tropical karst region at the southern edge of the Red River Delta. With interconnected limestone mountains, valleys and wetlands, the area has preserved the integrity of geological and geomorphological processes as well as hydrological ecosystems. More than a scenic landmark, it is often likened to a paradise garden rich in both scientific and aesthetic value.

A key highlight of the nomination dossier is the presence of the Delacour’s langur, a primate species found only in Vietnam and listed among the world’s 25 most endangered species.

This rare population underlines the global importance of the site’s biodiversity.

Tung stressed that nominating Tam Chuc – Van Long as a World Heritage Site is not merely a technical exercise but a strategic undertaking. It reflects Ninh Binh’s long-term vision of building a heritage city, fostering a heritage-based economy and developing a cultural industry, with the ultimate goal of becoming a centrally governed city by 2030.

During the conference, delegates examined a wide range of themes, including geology, geomorphology and biodiversity; cultural values such as history, archaeology and intangible heritage; human adaptation; site integrity, boundaries and management challenges; and a roadmap for nominating the Van Long – Tam Chuc wetland karst area as a World Heritage Site.

They also discussed the creation of a green corridor linking Tam Chuc and Van Long, designed to form a continuous ecological and cultural landscape.

Expert guidance was provided by Jonathan Wallace Baker, Head of the UNESCO Office in Hanoi; Pham Thanh Huong, Head of the Culture Department at the UNESCO Office in Hanoi; and Alessandro Balsamo, Head of the UNESCO World Heritage Nominations Unit, who joined online from Paris.

Professor Dr Nguyen Van Kim, Vice Chairman of the National Council for Cultural Heritage and a member of the World Heritage Committee, said these contributions form an essential scientific foundation for the organising committee. The conference outcomes will allow Ninh Binh province to refine its report, place the Tam Chuc – Van Long complex on the tentative list and proceed with preparing the official dossier for UNESCO submission in the near future./.

VNA