Authorities in Ninh Binh are completing a scientific dossier to submit to UNESCO, seeking World Heritage status for the Van Long - Kim Bang - Tam Chuc white-rumped langur cultural and ecological landscape.
The provincial government has submitted a report to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, requesting approval to include the site on UNESCO’s World Heritage nomination list.
Spanning roughly 11,000 hectares, the proposed heritage site brings together three interconnected areas: the Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve, the Kim Bang Species and Habitat Conservation Area, and the Tam Chuc Scenic Landscape and Archaeological Complex. These are linked by a continuous ecological corridor, forming a unified landscape.
At its core lies an extraordinary conservation story.
Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve
The area is considered the last stronghold of the white-rumped langur, an endemic primate species of Vietnam facing a high risk of extinction. More than 90% of the world’s wild population - approximately 350 individuals - is found here, making the site globally significant for biodiversity protection.
The landscape itself is equally remarkable.
Characterized by a distinctive karst system, it features limestone mountain ranges, inland islands and wetlands shaped across different geological stages. These formations provide the ideal habitat for the langurs, which live almost entirely on limestone cliffs and forested slopes.
Beyond its ecological value, the site holds deep cultural and historical significance.
Archaeological evidence linked to the Hoa Binh cultural tradition has been discovered here, reflecting a continuous human presence spanning over 30,000 years. These findings illustrate how prehistoric communities adapted to the karst environment, evolving from hunter-gatherers into more complex societies.
More than 90% of the world’s wild Delacour’s langur population - around 350 individuals - is conserved in the Van Long - Kim Bang - Tam Chuc area. Photo: V.LThis is considered the last stronghold of this primate species. Photo: V.L
Recognition as a World Heritage site would not only support the survival of this rare primate and its habitat, but also highlight its symbolic role in global biodiversity conservation efforts.
Among the key components of the nomination, Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve stands out as the largest inland wetland reserve in the northern delta region.
Often referred to as a “bay without waves,” Van Long is known for its tranquil waters, dramatic limestone scenery and pristine natural beauty. In 2010, it was recognized by the Vietnam Records Organization for hosting the largest population of white-rumped langurs and for forming the country’s largest natural landscape painting. It has also been designated a Ramsar site of international importance.
Meanwhile, the Kim Bang Langur Conservation Area, covering more than 3,100 hectares, is home to the second-largest population of the species globally, with over 100 individuals.
The Tam Chuc Complex adds a cultural and spiritual dimension. Recognized as a special national relic site, it spans 3,835 hectares and is centered around the Tam Chuc pagoda complex, often described as the largest pagoda in the world.
Tam Chuc Pagoda lies within the Van Long - Kim Bang - Tam Chuc cultural and ecological landscape of the Delacour’s langur.Ninh Binh Province recognizes that a key pillar of world heritage lies in the conservation of biodiversity.
Throughout the nomination process, Ninh Binh has focused on clarifying the site’s outstanding universal values - from its tropical karst landscape and wetland ecosystems to its rich biodiversity, particularly the white-rumped langur population.
The dossier is being developed in accordance with the 1972 Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, alongside relevant Vietnamese legal frameworks.
For local authorities, the heart of the nomination lies in biodiversity conservation.
Ninh Binh has pledged to work closely with the Ministry of Culture, central agencies, domestic and international experts, and neighboring localities to ensure that preservation efforts are balanced with environmental protection and sustainable socio-economic development.
In this landscape, the story is not only about nature or history alone, but about their long and inseparable coexistence.
Vietnamnet.vn
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