At the ceremony to announce the Decision to recognize the Vietnam Heritage Tree on January 10, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Cong Thuan (Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment) said: The cycad tree, also known as the cycad tree, is not only a symbol of natural beauty but also has profound meaning in Vietnamese culture.
With its strong shape and enduring vitality, the cycad is considered a symbol of prosperity, luck and longevity. Once recognized, the locality and community need to continue to preserve and further promote the value of this tree.
According to heritage records, although the exact time the cycad tree appeared at Phu Nhuan communal house has not been determined, according to the elders in the area, when Phu Nhuan communal house was first restored in 1911, this tree was already in the communal house grounds and was over 100 years old.
Currently, the tree is 6m high, with a canopy of 6m. The large base (close to the ground) has a maximum diameter of 1.4m, and the circumference of the base of the tree is more than 4m. Currently, the tree is growing well, free of pests, parasites or fungi. In particular, the tree is resistant to diseases during its growth, and no pests or diseases have been detected. Every year, the tree blooms in the spring, contributing to creating a particularly sacred landscape for Phu Nhuan communal house.
Phu Nhuan Communal House is over a hundred years old, located on an area of 20,000m2, with a construction area of 432m2. During the two resistance wars against French colonialism and American imperialism, this was a meeting place for revolutionaries and people.
Vice Chairman of Ben Tre City People's Committee Nguyen Van Thuong said that the recognition of the cycad tree at Phu Nhuan Communal House as a Vietnam Heritage Tree will create conditions for the preservation, restoration and promotion of the value of the provincial relic - Phu Nhuan Communal House. Thereby, contributing to educating the younger generation, honoring the ancestors who have contributed to reclaiming this land, creating an effect to implement the tree planting project "For a green Ben Tre"... This is also a tourist destination for Ben Tre city to serve visitors, contributing to the development of green and sustainable tourism.
Mr. Nguyen Van Thuong stated that according to the development orientation of the province and Ben Tre city in the period of 2021 - 2025, with a vision to 2030, the locality strives to make tourism a spearhead economic sector. Phu Nhuan is one of the three southern communes of Ben Tre city selected to develop tourism with existing premises such as: Lan Vuong eco-tourism spots, homestays, rest stops... that have been attracting tourists. The heritage cycad tree will connect tourism between local destinations, creating a premise for establishing tours, routes and heritage, ecological, spiritual tourism products...
To date, Ben Tre has had 6 trees recognized as heritage trees; of which, Ben Tre city has 2 trees: an ancient white mai tree over 300 years old (at Phu Tu communal house, Phu Hung commune) and a cycad tree (Phu Nhuan communal house, Phu Nhuan commune).
