Vinh Nghiem pagoda receives national heritage status

The Bac Giang provincial People’s Committee held a ceremony on March 20 to receive a certificate honouring Vinh Nghiem pagoda as a special national heritage.

Deputy PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (first from right) presents certificate honouring Vinh Nghiem pagoda as a special national heritage to local leaders.

The event saw the attendance of Politburo member and Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, leaders of ministries, sectors and Bac Giang province, and local residents.

The historical and cultural site of Vinh Nghiem pagoda, also known as Chuc Thanh pagoda, Ong La or Duc La pagoda is located in Tri Yen commune, Yen Dung district.

It was built in the sixth century under the Ly dynasty and was turned into the largest Buddhism centre in the late 13th century under the reign of King Tran Nhan Tong. Since then, the pagoda has served as the centre of Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen Buddhism

The pagoda houses 3,050 original woodblocks, which were officially recognised as a World Documentary Heritage by UNESCO in 2012.

Addressing the ceremony, Deputy PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmed that the recognition illustrated the Party and State’s high appreciation for efforts made by the Bac Giang provincial authorities and people in preserving and promoting the cultural-historical site.

He also called on closer co-ordination from the locality, relevant ministries and sectors, scientists and the pagoda’s dignitaries to continue safeguarding and upholding the UNESCO-recognised heritage.

(Source: NDO)