Yen Tu Pagoda, Quang Ninh – Photo: https://baoquangninh.com.vn/

Yen Tu National Forest has geographical coordinates: From 21 ^o 05′ to 29 ^o 09′ North latitude; From 106 ^o 43′ to 106 ^o 45′ East longitude.

Located in Quang Ninh province, Yen Tu National Forest is considered one of the most sacred forests in Vietnam with high mountain ranges hidden in deep, mysterious primeval forests and a beautiful waterfall system. All are imbued with Buddhism and have become a prime location for Zen masters and monks to practice and enter the world for thousands of years.

Legend has it that more than two thousand years ago, Yen Ky Sinh came to this mountain to practice Taoism, collect medicinal plants, refine the elixir of immortality and cure people. When he died, he turned into a stone statue, and the name “teacher Yen” became “Yen Tu”. For nearly a thousand years, this has been the place where many virtuous and heroic people practiced and attained enlightenment, the most famous of which is the life and career of Buddha Emperor Tran Nhan Tong.

After gathering the strength of the great national unity, twice defeating the Yuan-Mongol invaders – the most powerful army at that time, King Tran Nhan Tong (1258 – 1308) successfully carried out reconciliations, building a prosperous Dai Viet country. Abandoning the throne at the age of 35, he returned to the Vu Lam palace and then went to Yen Tu to practice asceticism. From the highest position, King Tran returned to the noble throne of Buddhism, founding the famous Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect. He died at Ngoa Van hermitage on Yen Tu mountain range.

Yen Tu National Forest has a total natural area of ​​2,783 hectares, not a large area, but this place is still considered a museum to preserve and conserve the diverse ecosystem of the special-use forest system of Vietnam. In particular, Yen Tu National Forest also contains spiritual cultural values, special national relics associated with the religious life of King Tran Nhan Tong such as: Bi Thuong Pagoda, Suoi Tam Pagoda, Cam Thuc Pagoda, Giai Oan Pagoda, Hon Ngoc Tower Cluster, Ngu Duoc Hermitage, Dong Pagoda…

According to the Management Board of Yen Tu National Forest and Monuments, among the 206 vertebrate species in Yen Tu National Forest, there are over 20 rare species listed in the Vietnam Red Book such as: Large flying squirrel, Tonkin snub-nosed monkey, Ang frog, spiny frog, crocodile lizard… The flora is also very diverse with a total of 830 species belonging to 5 different branches, including 38 rare endemic plant species, such as: Tau mat, lim xanh, lat hoa, thong tre, la han rung, vu huong, kim giao… Notably, Yen Tu National Forest still has a number of tree species that have been associated with the monastic life at Yen Tu of King Tran Nhan Tong and his disciples, such as 700-year-old pine tree, bamboo, ancient banyan tree, Yen Tu yellow apricot…

Not only diverse in the number of plant species, Yen Tu National Forest is also a precious medicinal garden with many valuable medicinal plants such as: Acanthopanax spinosa, Kim Tuyen, Cat Sam, Bach Xanh, Dai Ke, Hoang Tinh Hoa Trang, Red Polygonum, Black Fatty, Gynostemma, Rau Sang, Lan Mot La, Bay La Mot Hoa, Cu Chien Sam, Ba Gac India, Trau Mot La… which have the effect of treating cancer, lowering blood sugar, stomach pain, viral hepatitis, dengue fever, musculoskeletal pain, colds, coughs… Therefore, the Management Board of Yen Tu National Forest and Monument has strengthened propaganda, protection, and restricted people from exploiting medicinal plants in the forest.

Today, the natural terrain of the relic with pagodas and towers interspersed among the wild and majestic natural landscape of Yen Tu National Forest further enhances the sacredness of the Buddhist land, creating great potential for the development of spiritual and ecological tourism in Quang Ninh province. Therefore, the conservation and sustainable development of the biodiversity values ​​of Yen Tu National Forest have been closely linked with the conservation and promotion of the value of this historical and cultural relic.

Source: Department of Natural Resources and Environment