The Prime Minister has recently approved to rank 11 relics as special national relics, increasing the number of Vietnam’s special relics to 34.

They include Co Loa historical, architectural and archaeological heritage in Hanoi, Tran Dynasty’s Temple historical and architectural site and Pho Minh Pagoda in Nam Dinh, Bach Dang and Yen Tu historical sites in Quang Ninh, Lam Kinh historical and architectural relic in Thanh Hoa, Nguyen Du memorial in Ha Tinh, Keo Pagoda in Thai Binh, Oc Eo - Ba The ancient archeological and architectural relic in An Giang, Go Thap historical and archaeological relic in Dong Thap, Ba Be Lake in Bac Kan and Cat Tien National Park in Dong Nai, Binh Phuoc and Lam Dong.

Co Loa historical, architectural and archaeological heritage in Hanoi. Photo: Tuoi Tre

This is the third time Vietnam has announced the special national relics listing after August 2009 and last May.

In related news, the UNESCO World Heritage Institute of Japan’s Waseda University recently funded VND2.2 billion (US$110,000) to restore the temple of Dien Phuoc Princess (sister of Tu Duc King who was the fourth emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty of Vietnam and reigned from 1847–1883) at Hue city. The relic’s restoration is scheduled to be finished in November 2013.

Tran Dynasty’s Temple historical and architectural site in Nam Dinh. Photo: Tuoi Tre