Located in Tran Hung Dao ward, Hai Phong city, the Con Son - Kiep Bac Special National Relic Site is 1 of 12 typical component relic sites belonging to the Complex of Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac Relics and Landscapes recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Not only a picturesque scenic spot, Con Son - Kiep Bac also embodies profound Outstanding Universal Values (OUV) regarding history, religion, architecture, and the Vietnamese nation's art of interacting with nature.
Con Son Pagoda is nestled amidst vast pine forests, with babbling streams and cool air all year round.
- Criterion (iii): A Unique Strategic Alliance among the State, Religion, and the People
The Con Son - Kiep Bac relic complex was formed in the 13th - 14th centuries, associated with two major historical milestones: King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong coming to Con Son to build Ky Lan monastery, and Supreme Commander Tran Hung Dao choosing Van Kiep to build the Northeastern military defense line protecting the capital Thang Long. This site converges the lives and careers of outstanding national and world figures: the Three Patriarchs of Truc Lam (Tran Nhan Tong, Phap Loa, Huyen Quang), National Hero Tran Hung Dao, and National Hero - World Cultural Celebrity Nguyen Trai.
- Con Son - Center of Dai Viet Truc Lam Zen Sect: Con Son has long been famous as a sacred, peaceful land of Zen meditation. In particular, when the Third Patriarch Huyen Quang became the head monk, he expanded Con Son into a major Buddhist center in the Northern Delta with works such as the Nine-Story Lotus Tower, Bach Van Hermitage, and Dang Minh Stupa. Every year, the Con Son Spring Festival takes place in mid-January of the lunar calendar (associated with the death anniversary of Master Huyen Quang on January 23) and has become a unique spiritual cultural event attracting numerous visitors from all over.
- Kiep Bac - Center for Worshiping Saint Tran: From a strategic military base during the Tran Dynasty, Kiep Bac became the main center for worshiping Saint Tran (Cuu Thien Vu De). The belief in worshiping him is honored by the people as the "Father of the Nation," forming the traditional custom "August death anniversary of the Father" (on the 20th day of the 8th lunar month) gathering millions of pilgrims each year.
Côn Sơn Stream, associated with the famous verses by Nguyen Trai: "Con Son stream murmurs softly / Like the sound of a zither playing close by"
- Criterion (v): Deep Understanding and Respect for Nature
Con Son - Kiep Bac serves as an outstanding global testament to the harmonious interaction between humans and the natural environment serving religious practice, economic development, and national defense.
- Sacred Feng Shui Topography: Situated in a land that converges the sacred energy of heaven and earth. To the east of Con Son - Kiep Bac, thousands of mountain peaks from the Yen Tu range bow toward the site; to the west, six major rivers (Luc Nam, Thuong, Cau, Duong, Kinh Thay, Thai Binh) converge together.
- Architectural Layout in Harmony with Nature:
- Con Son Pagoda faces southeast, using Ky Lan Mountain as its backing pillow, An Lac Mountain as the front screen, An Phu Mountain as the returning dragon bowing toward it, and Banh Nguyet (Half-Moon) Lake as the front court to gather water, spiritual energy, and blessings. This land encompasses famous scenic spots such as Fairy Chessboard, Thach Ban (Stone Table), Jade Well, Bach Van Hermitage, Thanh Hu Cave, Thau Ngoc Bridge, Tinh Dau Altar, Ngu Nhac Sacred Temple, Sinh Temple, and Hoa Temple.
- Kiep Bac Temple leans against Tran Rong (Dragon's Forehead) Mountain, facing the clear Luc Dau River, flanked on the left and right by Nam Tao and Bac Dau mountains bowing toward it.
- "Peaceful in Peace, Defensive in War" Model: Ancient people thoroughly utilized natural laws: building strategic military defense lines during wartime against foreign invaders, while building temples and pagodas during peacetime to propagate Buddhism, gather people, and develop the socio-economy. In the 13th - 14th centuries, along the Luc Dau River was a bustling commercial center with ships and boats, featuring hundreds of ceramic kilns stretching over 2 km along with Van Kiep and Dai Tan ports.
The traditional Con Son Festival is held annually to commemorate the national hero Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan and the world cultural figure Nguyen Trai
- Ideology of "Three Religions of the Same Origin" and Humanistic National Defense Philosophy
- Secular Spirit "Engaging with the World while Remaining Pure": The Truc Lam Zen Sect founded by King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong absorbed the essence of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, creating the ideology of "Three Religions of the Same Origin" harmonizing religious and secular life to serve national independence and peace.
- Unique Taoist Shrine at Kiep Bac: Kiep Bac Temple features a unique Taoist shrine layout: Saint Tran (Cuu Thien Vu De) at the center, flanked on the left by Nam Tao (keeper of the birth register) and on the right by Bac Dau (keeper of the death register).
- Humanistic Statecraft Philosophy: This place records the classic national defense philosophy of Prince Tran Quoc Tuan when answering King Tran Anh Tong: "Easing the people's burden to deeply root and strengthen the foundation is the ultimate strategy for national defense".
- Integrity and Authenticity Sustained over 7 Centuries
Enduring through over 700 years of history with destruction from various wars, Con Son - Kiep Bac retains its original values intact thanks to continuous preservation and restoration across the Tran, Le, and Nguyen dynasties and local communities.
Archaeological excavations confirm that the architectural layouts of Con Son Pagoda and Kiep Bac Temple were fully established in the 13th - 14th and 17th centuries. The entire system of remaining structures and artifacts strictly adheres to traditional floor plans, using ancient materials such as square tiles, bricks, terracotta, and wood. Buddhist and Saint worship traditions, along with annual festival cycles, have never been interrupted, becoming deep-rooted traditional customs in the spiritual life of the people.
Visiting Con Son - Kiep Bac, tourists can not only immerse themselves in the tranquil atmosphere of pine forests, flowing streams, and majestic mountains, but also connect with the vibrant historical and cultural depth of the nation. This is an unmissable destination for domestic and international tourists wishing to experience Zen meditation philosophy, worship at sacred relic sites, and discover a World Heritage site of global stature!
(This article is based on information and photos provided by the Hai Phong DCST)