Social Science and Human Research Bulletin

The Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac Heritage Complex represents one of the most important cultural and spiritual landscapes in northern Vietnam. The complex is closely associated with the formation, development, and dissemination of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism, a Vietnamese Buddhist tradition founded by King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong in the late thirteenth century. This study analyzes the role of local communities in preserving and transmitting living heritage within the heritage complex. The research employs qualitative document analysis, field observation, secondary tourism statistics, and in-depth interviews with heritage managers, Buddhist monks and nuns, local residents, and visitors. The findings show that communities participate in heritage conservation through ritual practice, festival organization, safeguarding of documentary heritage, landscape protection, local services, and intergenerational transmission of cultural memory. However, the post-recognition context has intensified challenges related to seasonal tourist pressure, commercialization, inappropriate visitor behavior, fragmented interprovincial coordination, and unequal distribution of heritage benefits. The study argues that sustainable conservation requires a community-centered governance model based on co-management, equitable benefit sharing, visitor carrying-capacity management, digital heritage documentation, and heritage education. The proposed framework contributes to strengthening the authenticity, integrity, and social vitality of the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac Heritage Complex in the contemporary period.

living heritage, community-based conservation, Yen Tu, Truc Lam Zen Buddhism, World Heritage, interprovincial heritage governance.

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