In early 2025, Hamlet 2, Phuoc Tan Hung Commune, Chau Thanh District, Long An Province had 3 ancient trees recognized as Heritage Trees, including the tamarind tree and the banyan tree at Binh Luc communal house.
Those hundreds of years old trees are closely associated with the process of formation, development and fighting to protect the homeland of Chau Thanh people, entering people's lives as a matter of course.
Party Cell Secretary, Head of Hamlet 2, Phuoc Tan Hung Commune, Chau Thanh District (Long An Province) - Ngo Van Dong said, he did not know when the tamarind tree and the banyan tree at Binh Luc communal house were built, but when he was a child, those trees were closely associated with the lives of the people in the hamlet.
“Since I was a child, the tamarind and banyan trees at Binh Luc communal house have been ancient trees. The people in the area have always had a special affection for them, and no one has done anything to damage or encroach on them. In the past, the area around those ancient trees was also our army’s base. Those tamarind and banyan trees have truly witnessed the entire process of formation and development of this land,” said Mr. Dong.
The tamarind tree and the banyan tree in Binh Luc communal house yard are now over 200 years old and are closely associated with the development of the communal house.
Legend has it that the ancient Chau Thanh area in general and the Binh Luc communal house area in particular were very wild and remote at that time. When people came to reclaim and establish villages, Binh Luc communal house was built as a place for community activities.
Most likely, the ancient trees in the communal house yard have been there since that time. Under the ancient trees, the communal house roof has been rebuilt many times by the people after being destroyed by enemy bombs.
The tamarind tree and the banyan tree at Binh Luc communal house are two ancient trees in Hamlet 2, Phuoc Tan Hung commune (Chau Thanh district, Long An province) that have just been recognized as Vietnam Heritage Trees.
And right under the communal house roof and those ancient trees, the local revolutionary movement was built. When the Viet Minh movement grew strong, the communal house was the place where the Viet Minh operated, where our cadres and party members took refuge to build and connect bases, and at the same time, it was also the place to supply food to the revolutionary soldiers in the underground and the guerrillas.
According to the elders, the area around Binh Luc communal house used to be quite densely forested, so few people would have visited it if there were no communal house festival. In 1944, the French knew that the communal house was a revolutionary base of the Viet Minh, so they found an excuse to demolish it.
Under the tamarind and banyan trees, a small communal house roof built by the people "grew" as an affirmation that it was impossible to extinguish the folk beliefs and revolutionary love of the people at that time.
The first Party cell of Phuoc Tan Hung, a class to teach and propagate revolutionary ideology to the people, was also established and "proudly" existed at Binh Luc communal house, right under the canopy of heritage trees.
For more than 20 years of fighting against foreign invaders, the communal house was a place where people took the opportunity to visit to learn about revolutionary ideals and foster their determination to fight against foreign invaders.
After 1975, Binh Luc communal house yard was used to build more popular education classes, literacy classes, kindergartens, and cultural activities venues for the hamlet.
Today, the tamarind and banyan trees at Binh Luc communal house still provide shade, covering the newly rebuilt communal house roof. Next to it is the Hamlet Cultural House and the stele house recording the names of martyrs - the heroic sons of Hamlet 2, Phuoc Tan Hung commune who sacrificed their lives for the cause of liberating their homeland.
The newly recognized heritage trees in Phuoc Tan Hung commune are not simply ancient trees but also historical and cultural "witnesses" closely associated with the formation and development of the locality.
Caring for, preserving and conserving heritage trees not only arouses the spirit of environmental protection, preserving the diversity of tree species and plant genes, but also helps future generations better understand and be proud of their homeland.
Preserving and caring for heritage trees is also a way to show gratitude to previous generations in the work of building and protecting the homeland.
Speaking at the Ceremony to announce the Decision to recognize the Vietnam Heritage Tree, Vice Chairman of Chau Thanh District People's Committee (Long An Province) - Pham Van That suggested that in addition to caring for, protecting and preserving heritage trees, the locality needs to associate with activities to return to the source, educate cultural traditions and revolutionary history for the young generation in the coming time.
Source: https://danviet.vn/mot-ap-o-long-an-co-toi-3-cay-co-thu-duoc-cong-nhan-la-cay-di-san-viet-nam-do-la-loai-cay-gi-20250121132323595.htm
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