Heritage tree converges in ancient communal house
An Bien communal house (Hung Nhan commune, former Vinh Bao district, now Vinh Hai commune, Hai Phong city) is a place to worship the Ly Dynasty National Master (Vien Quang Pho Do Dai Vuong), Tran Dynasty generals (Duc Phu Quoc Chu Sat Hai Dai Vuong), Quang Pho Angel (Thien Quan Dai Vuong) and two village tutelary gods.
Legend has it that An Bien communal house was started from the Later Le Dynasty, 17th to 18th centuries. Based on the "Encyclopedia of Hai Phong Place Names", the communal house worships 5 tutelary gods, including: Ly Quoc Su Vien Quang Pho Do Dai Vuong, Duc Phu Quoc Chu Sat Hai Dai Vuong, Thien Quan Dai Vuong, Bach Ho Ton Than and Huyen Phu Ton Than.
After the resistance war against the French colonialists, due to the implementation of land clearance resistance, An Bien communal house had to be dismantled, and then restored during the period of peace in the country.
In the An Bien village communal house grounds, there are three ancient duối trees that are over 300 years old, planted in a zigzag shape, including two female trees and one male tree. Under the three ancient trees, there is a small shrine, worshiping "Ong Ca", who is believed to be the predecessor who planted the three duối trees above.
On April 21, 2024, three ancient duối trees over 300 years old in the An Bien village communal house were recognized as Vietnam Heritage Trees. At the time of recognition, the three duối trees had a spread canopy of about 150 m2, about 2.5 m high. The circumference of the trunk at a height of 1.3 m above the ground was measured at 2.8 m for 1 tree and 2 m for the other two trees.
Representatives of the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment highly appreciate the efforts of local officials and people in preserving ancient trees. Especially the preservation and care of ancient duối trees hundreds of years old in front of the communal house yard.
This is a meaningful work, not only preserving biodiversity, protecting the environmental landscape, but also expressing the gratitude of posterity to predecessors, contributing to arousing pride for local people when an ancient tree is honored as Heritage Tree.
Pride of the people of An Bien village
Mr. Nguyen Xuan Tinh, head of An Bien communal house, said that the three Duoi trees in the communal house yard are the oldest tree cluster in the locality. For a long time, the people of An Bien village have always been proud of the ancient Duoi tree cluster in the communal house yard.
Over hundreds of years, the three duối trees are still always green and lush, "relying" on each other, reaching branches and casting shades. Although in recent years, many major storms have hit Hai Phong, the three duối trees still stand tall in front of storms, not much affected. In April, the trees bloom and bear fruit. The duối fruit is yellow, has a sweet and cool taste, and is a childhood gift for many generations of students.
According to local leaders, the three duối trees are long-standingly associated with daily life, are proof of the development of people and the land here, and at the same time affirm the historical mark of the An Bien village communal house relic. The recognition of the three ancient duối trees located within the An Bien village communal house as Vietnam Heritage Trees helps people understand more deeply the great values of the trees.
Local authorities are determined to promote propaganda and mobilize people to actively protect the landscape and environment, take better care of and preserve ancient trees, especially the three heritage duối trees.
