Seminar discusses ways to preserve Hanh Cung Vu Lam historical relic site in Ninh Binh

The seminar aimed to mark the 1,057th founding anniversary of Dai Co Viet State and the 800th founding anniversary of the Tran dynasty.

It also aimed to provide insights about the historical and cultural values of Hanh Cung Vu Lam in the country’s history.

Prominent at the seminar were Doan Minh Huan, member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee; Tran Song Tung, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, and leaders of local departments, sectors and localities.

The event saw the attendance of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Bao Son, Vice President of the Vietnam National University, Hanoi; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tien Vinh, Director of the Tran Nhan Tong Institute as well as experts and scientists.

In his opening remarks, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Tran Song Tung emphasised the strategic role of Ninh Binh in protecting and developing Dai Co Viet State since it was chosen to be the capital of the first feudal state in the 10^th century by King Dinh Tien Hoang.

In the 13^th century, Kings of the Tran dynasty chose the mountainous region of Trang An (Hoa Lu) to build its military base, train soldiers and store food in order to fight against Mongol invaders.

During the peaceful time, Kings of the Tran dynasty founded Vietnamese Zen Buddhism called Truc Lam.

Hanh Cung Vu Lam is evidence of the Kings’ stratagem as well as their vision in combining politics, military and culture and religion.

Tung also hoped that experts, scientists and participants would discuss and clarify the unique historical, cultural, aesthetic values of Hanh Cung Vu Lam and other relic sites building under the Tran dynasty; comprehensively evaluate Hanh Cung Vu Lam’s values in relationship with the Tran dynasty and cultural and natural heritages in Ninh Binh; reenact the process of founding and developing Vietnamese Zen Buddhism (Truc Lam).

These would lay a foundation for Ninh Binh to build mechanisms and policies and create favourable conditions for enterpises and social organizations to invest in and develop the cultural industry in a sustainable manner associated with the local community, Tung added.

At the event, participants took part in two thematic sessions: “Hanh Cung Vu Lam – the process of formation, appearance and  role in Vietnam’s history” and “Hanh Cung Vu Lam in the Chan dynasty: Preservation and promotion of values in a sustainable development direction”.