The majestic banyan tree of Con Dao

No one knows when the banyan tree appeared on this island, but it is known that it sprouted and grew thanks to the banyan fruit floating from the mainland. They are very resistant to salt, sea winds, and storms. Perhaps due to these harsh conditions, the tree trunk, canopy, and banyan fruit are larger than those on the mainland. The banyan trees here are all over 120 years old, with trunks so large that 2-3 people cannot hug them, and are solemnly numbered. The banyan tree is associated with the archipelago through two fierce resistance wars against the French and the Americans to save the country. The banyan tree is a witness, a symbol, nurturing the souls and indomitable will of patriots who were imprisoned and tortured. In particular, 8 banyan trees at Phu Hai Prison Relic were recognized as Vietnam Heritage Trees. For that reason, the banyan tree is considered a sacred tree in Con Dao.

Banyan tree at Phu Hai Prison, Con Dao

During the resistance war against the French and the Americans to save the country, revolutionary prisoners were sheltered and protected by the banyan tree. Every time they went out to work, the patriots collected and hid the dry banyan leaves and brought them back to the prison, placing them on the concrete and stone floors to cope with the harsh cold and heat in the prison. Fresh banyan fruit and young banyan leaves were sometimes used as daily meals to fight hunger or treat illness. Patriots also used banyan leaves to send messages and write poetry in the prisons of Phu Hai, Phu Tuong, etc.

Under the hollow of the banyan tree, the place was considered a mailbox for them to exchange letters. Many prisoners imprisoned for a long time used the color of the leaves on the banyan tree to calculate time, count seasons and years, etc. Although the prisons here were considered "hell on earth", they did not shake the patriotism of communist prisoners. On the contrary, they increased their strength, helping them escape death's door to return to the mainland to continue their resistance against foreign invaders.

There were people who could not stand the enemy's whips and died here, but their glorious deaths gave strength and indomitable will to those who stayed behind. Le Hong Phong, Nguyen An Ninh, Vo Thi Sau, Phan Chu Trinh, Ton Duc Thang, Pham Van Dong,... were prisoners of Con Dao who brought glory to the country.

Candied almond seeds of Con Dao are one of the specialties that tourists buy as gifts when coming here. Candied almonds in Con Dao are large in size, so they are easy to make jam. It is called jam but in fact, candied almonds are roasted dry. In the summer, from early July to late August, the candied almond tree has the most ripe fruit. Whenever there is a strong wind or storm, candied almonds fall all over the road. People take advantage of their free time to gather to harvest them like a festival. The candied almonds are brought back to dry, split in half with a small knife to get the seeds, and skillfully roasted over a fire to create a delicious specialty for tourists to experience. At first, candied almonds were only roasted with salt, but now there are many more flavors for snack lovers to choose from: original candied almonds, satay flavor, pineapple, salted roasted, sugared, etc. The taste of candied almonds here is not the same as on the mainland, very rich, fatty, sweet and crispy when eaten.

The banyan tree has such a great influence on the people of Con Dao. Walking under the cool green banyan trees today, people seem to recall the years of resistance in the past, where patriots were tortured and imprisoned by the French and American invaders. Thinking about those sacrifices and losses, today's generation loves, respects and cherishes even more what their fathers and brothers have tried to protect the country. From there, they remind themselves to contribute a small part to make today's country more prosperous and beautiful, not to be ashamed of their ancestors./.

Dang Trung Thanh

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