Bac Giang (VNA) - The People’s Committee of Lang Giang district, the northern province of Bac Giang, on Arpil 16 held a ceremony at the Tien Luc heritage complex to receive the certificate recognising the site as a national special relic.

The complex comprises the Phuc Quang Pagoda, Tien Luc Temple, Thuan Hoa Communal House, Vien Son Communal House, and the millennium-old Da Huong (Cinnamomum camphora) tree. Among them, Phuc Quang Pagoda preserves nearly 100 Buddha statues, most of which date back to the Nguyen Dynasty (19th–20th centuries). Tien Luc Temple and Thuan Hoa and Vien Son Communal Houses are dedicated to generals who served under the reign of the 18th Hung King.

Particularly notable is the ancient Cinnamomum camphora tree, which was recognised in 1783 by King Le Canh Hung as the largest of its kind in the country.

With its outstanding historical and architectural values, the complex was initially designated as a national architectural and artistic monument in 1989 by the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism). In 2020, it was recognised as a provincial tourist destination, and in 2022, the Tien Luc Festival was officially listed as a national intangible cultural heritage. Most recently, on November 26, 2024, the Prime Minister signed a decision to elevate the complex to the status of a national special relic.

Speaking at the event, Standing Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Mai Son emphasised that this marks the sixth site in the province to be recognised as a national special relic.

Son called on the local Party Committees, authorities, and residents to focus on effectively implementing planning for the conservation, restoration, and promotion of the complex's heritage values, in alignment with sustainable tourism development. He also urged greater coordination with relevant departments and agencies, especially the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, as well as efforts to mobilise social resources and draw on the expertise of scholars and cultural researchers to protect, highlight, and affirm the site’s significance.

In addition, the local authorities were encouraged to enhance communication efforts about the cultural and historical values of the complex among local communities and visitors, and to focus on educating younger generations about the importance of heritage conservation. The Tien Luc complex should become a practical educational destination for students to explore local history and culture.

On this occasion, the Lang Giang district People’s Committee launched the Tien Luc Festival, held annually from the 18th to the 20th of the third lunar month. The festival serves as a vibrant platform for preserving traditional cultural values and fostering community spirit, reflecting the enduring unity of Vietnamese village life across generations./.