Tran Nhan Tong (1258–1308), given name Tran Kham, was the third Emperor of the Tran dynasty. During his 14-year reign, he was credited as the supreme commander who led the Trần dynasty to ultimate victory and established a long period of peace and prosperity.

In 1294, after ceding the throne to his son Tran Anh Tong, Tran Nhan Tong became a Buddhist Monk at Vu Lam palace, Ninh Binh province

Tran Nhan Tong built a beautiful monastery on Yen Tu Mountain, in Quang Ninh province. He took the title Huong Van Dai, or Enlightened Governor and taught Buddhism.

King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong founded Truc Lam Zen sect, a Buddhist meditation with Vietnamese cultural identity. The system of pagodas and temples in Yen Tu were expanded under his spiritual guidance.

Tran Nhan Tong was the only King of Vietnam ever to renounce his throne for religion and to become enlightened, and honored as a King-Monk.
He and his disciples planted the first Yellow apricot trees in Yen Tu, making the great Yellow apricot forest.

The ideology of Tran Nhan Tong and Truc Lam Zen Buddhism are not only reflected in Buddhism but also deeply influences society and its values remain valuable today, becoming a symbol of Vietnamese Buddhism and culture.

Yen Tu mountain has become a destination for tourists and pilgrims.

Pilgrims to Yen Tu will visit a number of pagodas and temples

The most impressive pilgrimage stop is the Buddha statue in the An Ky Sinh area. The statue, which weighs 138 tons, is cast in solid bronze, following the methods of famous Vietnamese craft villages. It was inaugurated in 2013 on the occasion of the 705th anniversary of King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong's in Nirvana attainment.
Yen Tu Festival, one of Vietnam's biggest spring festivals, attracts millions of visitors.

The image of King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong is recreated at every spring festival

Pilgrims go to Yen Tu not only to explore cultural and historical values but also to enjoy the beauty and meditation scenery.

The 710th anniversary of King–Monk Tran Nhan Tong's Nirvana attainment is held on December 6 and 7, 2018. The ceremony aims to honor merit and ideological and cultural values of King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong.