The recent resolution adopted by the Quang Ninh Provincial People’s Council to waive entrance fees for the site is seen as a profound expression of the province’s gratitude to local residents, monks, nuns, Buddhist followers, and visitors — those who have made significant contributions to safeguarding, preserving, and compiling the heritage dossier.
The practical basis for Quang Ninh Province’s decision stems from the recognition of the Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem–Con Son–Kiep Bac Complex as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site on July 12, 2025.
The waiver not only meets the aspirations of a broad cross-section of the public but also serves as a catalyst for promoting the image of Yen Tu — regarded as the cradle of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism and closely associated with the spiritual legacy of Tran Nhan Tong.
Statistics show that visitor numbers to Yen Tu have declined markedly in recent years, falling from more than one million arrivals in 2018 to approximately 567,000 in 2025.
Against this backdrop, the “zero-fee” policy is expected to provide a strong impetus to attract tourists back to Yen Tu. It will also create favourable conditions for planning, investment mobilisation, and the development of diversified tourism products in surrounding areas.
According to reports, Quang Ninh Province has recently restructured its administrative apparatus under Decision No. 4166/QD-UBND. The Ha Long Bay–Yen Tu World Heritage Management Board has been established through the merger of previously separate management units overseeing individual heritage and scenic sites. The new body will directly manage key provincial heritage assets, including Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay, and the Yen Tu Complex of Monuments and Landscapes.
With free admission for all visitors, Yen Tu is expected to attract large numbers of tourists and continue serving as an important site for traditional education for younger generations through historic landmarks such as the Tran Dynasty historical complex and the nationally significant Bach Dang Historic Site within an interconnected inter-provincial heritage space.
