The Trang An complex has become a dual world heritage site.

Having met both natural and cultural criteria, the Trang An complex was recognized by UNESCO this afternoon as a World Heritage Site of both natural and cultural significance, becoming the first mixed heritage site in Vietnam.

Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex. Photo: dulichninhbinh.

The 38th meeting of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Doha, Qatar, announced that the Trang An scenic complex has become a UNESCO World Heritage site.World cultural and natural heritage sites according to the followingCriteria include cultural, aesthetic, and geological/geomorphological value.Thus, Trang AnIt became the first mixed World Heritage site in Vietnam to be recognized.

Trang An is also the only mixed heritage site among the 36 dossiers submitted to this UNESCO session, which took place from June 15 to 25. The voting for new world heritage sites was conducted based on 10 criteria, including criteria such as "being a masterpiece created by humans" or "possessing exceptional natural beauty".

Located in Ninh Binh province, in the southern part of the Red River Delta, the Trang An scenic complex comprises three main conservation areas: the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital National Special Monument; the Trang An – Tam Coc – Bich Dong Scenic Landscape National Special Monument; and the Hoa Lu Special Use Forest. The complex covers a total area of ​​4,000 hectares, encompassing the entire Trang An limestone massif and surrounded by an 8,000-hectare buffer zone, primarily consisting of rice paddies.

Vietnam once had five UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Complex of Monuments of Hue Imperial City; Hoi An Ancient Town; My Son Sanctuary; Thang Long Imperial Citadel; and Ho Dynasty Citadel. In addition, it also had two World Natural Heritage sites: Ha Long Bay and Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.

In addition, UNESCO has so far recognized eight intangible world heritage sites in Vietnam, including: Hue Royal Court Music; the Gong Culture Space of the Central Highlands; Quan Ho folk songs of Bac Giang and Bac Ninh; Ca Tru singing art; the Giong Festival at Phu Dong and Soc Temples; Xoan singing art; the Hung King worshiping belief; and Southern Vietnamese folk music.

The Vietnamese delegation expressed delight at UNESCO's announcement regarding the Trang An complex in Qatar.

According to VnExpress.net