Trang An landscape complex officially becomes World Heritage

(Cinet) – The Trang An landscape complex in northern Ninh Binh province has been recognized as UNESCO World Heritage at 04 P.M on June 23 at the 38th session of the UNESCO Heritage Committee.

The site was honoured at the 38th meeting of the UNESCO Heritage Committee in Doha, Qatar, on June 23. Exploration of some of the highest-altitude caves dotted across the landscape has revealed archaeological traces of human activity dating back almost 30,000 years, which illustrates the occupation of these mountains by hunter-gatherers, and how they adapted to climatic and environmental changes, the UN cultural body said on its website.

The complex also comprises Hoa Lu, which was Vietnam’s capital in the 10th and 11th centuries, as well as temples, pagodas, paddy-field landscapes, villages and sacred sites scattered over a large area of 10,000 hectares in Hoa Lu, Gia Vien, and Nho Quan districts.

Addressing the meeting, MOSCT Deputy Minister Dang Thi Bich Lien thanked UNESCO for the honour and voiced Vietnam’s commitment to seriously adhere to the World Heritage Convention in preserving globally recognised heritage examples in Vietnam.

Dubbed “Ha Long Bay on land“, the 10,000ha Trang An complex comprises three areas: Trang An – Tam Coc – Bich Dong ecological site, Hoa Lu imperial capital, and Hoa Lu primitive forests.

Up to now, the latest inscription raises the number of UNESCO World Heritage sites in Vietnam to eight, the other seven being Ha Long Bay, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, the Hue Monuments Complex, the Old Town of Hoi An, My Son Sanctuary, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel and the Ho Dynasty Citadel.

Previously, Trang An was recognised by the Vietnamese Government as a special national site in May 2012, and its dossier was submitted to UNESCO in September of that year.

Trang An landscape complex officially becomes World Heritage Related image(s)