Nearly 1000 bonsai works participate in Tra Khe bonsai exhibition

The Tra Khe village bonsai exhibition, Tan Lap commune (Vu Thu) attracted nearly 1,000 entries.

"People flock to Tra Khe

To see bonsai "bon sai village"

Side by side, shoulder to shoulder

Admiring the talented artist

Happy to nourish the spirit

Wish I could go back and see it many times!”

(Author Hoang Tien - Tra Khe village, Tan Lap commune)

The above verses are also the feelings of a resident of Tra Khe village, Tan Lap commune when witnessing the "festival" of the village's ornamental plant exhibition. Tra Khe, a village on the banks of the Red River, was formed more than 200 years ago. In the past, this was a low-lying plain area, where people lived mainly by growing rice, sedge, jute, weaving mats and selling baskets, leading to poverty and hardship. More than 30 years ago, Tra Khe residents began to boldly change their crop structure, apply science, and learn techniques for growing ornamental plants.

With more than 30 years of experience in the profession of growing trees, Tra Khe villagers have built a famous "bonsai village" brand in and outside the province. Bonsai trees such as Sanh, Si, La Han, Tuong Vi... with different shapes and positions have helped more than 400 households in the village change their lives. From being one of the poorest villages in the commune, Tra Khe village has now changed its appearance, with straight concrete roads, and the income and life of the people have risen to the top of the commune.

In particular, responding to the emulation movement to build advanced new rural areas, in 2023, the people and children of Tra Khe united and mobilized each other to support a total budget of over 740 million VND, along with the support of the local government to invest in building village cultural houses and village gates, creating the image of a bright, green, clean and beautiful rural village in the Northern Delta that many people dream of.

People and children far from home in Tra Khe join hands to build a spacious village gate.

Mr. Pham Ngoc Han, Head of Tra Khe village said: "On the occasion of the 133rd anniversary of Uncle Ho's birthday, associated with the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the cultural house and the village gate, we organized an exhibition of ornamental plants, which is also an opportunity to introduce the pinnacle works of art, the talented hands and hospitality of the people of my hometown Tra Khe".

This year’s Tra Khe Village Bonsai Exhibition attracted nearly 1,000 bonsai works from Tan Lap Bonsai Village and bonsai lovers from many provinces and cities across the country. Of these, there were over 400 bonsai works of high artistic and economic value.

Mr. Hoang Tiep, a Tra Khe resident who is working in another province, had the opportunity to visit his hometown and see the bonsai exhibition of the village and shared: “I am truly satisfied with the bonsai works at the exhibition. Through these works, I am even more proud of my ancestors, brothers, relatives, and villagers who have worked hard, overcome difficulties, and created a wonderful bonsai craft village like today.”

“The days of the village’s bonsai exhibition are days of harsh hot weather. To ensure the safety of the bonsai participating in the exhibition, we mobilize dozens of volunteers to water the plants twice a day, in the early morning and late afternoon. For plants that are not sun-resistant, we use umbrellas and nets to cover and shade the plants. Each plant placed here is respected and cherished by us, a true work of art,” said Mr. Tran Van Tuong, Head of the Tra Khe Village Bonsai Association.

Bonsai trees participating in the exhibition are displayed along both sides of the main road of Tra Khe village.

Mr. Tran Tin, a resident of Tra Khe village, shared: “My family contributed nearly ten bonsai works to the village exhibition. Although it was difficult to transport, care for, and arrange the trees at the exhibition, the villagers were very enthusiastic in participating.”

The exhibition is an opportunity to promote and introduce ornamental plant products of Tra Khe craft village.

On the morning of May 19, Tra Khe village, Tan Lap commune held a ribbon cutting ceremony to inaugurate the cultural house and village gate, along with the opening of the ornamental plant exhibition. The ornamental plant exhibition will last from May 15 to 23. This is an opportunity to promote and introduce ornamental plant products of Tra Khe craft village to friends inside and outside the province, creating opportunities for exchange and trade of goods, enhancing the value of craft village products and gradually connecting with Bach Thuan garden village to form an eco-tourism area in the future.