A 300-Year-Old Sacred Banyan Tree with a Unique Shape in Ha Nam
Nestled in Dinh Xa commune (Phu Ly City, Ha Nam Province), a centuries-old purple banyan tree stands tall with a striking form and an extraordinary root system. For more than 300 years, this tree has spread its shade, silently witnessing the ups and downs of local history—treasured as a living heritage by generations of villagers.
A Green Heritage in the Heart of the Ancient Town
According to local elders, this purple banyan has taken root here for over three centuries, accompanying countless generations of Dinh Xa residents. Despite the ravages of time and history, it remains robust, majestic, and verdant—lovingly preserved by the community.
In 2015, the tree was officially recognized as a Vietnamese Heritage Tree by the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment—a well-deserved title for a plant rich in both cultural and spiritual significance.
A Fascinating Form with Roots Like “Miniature Trunks”
What makes this banyan especially remarkable is its intricate root system and distinctive appearance. Towering at about 30 meters high, its expansive canopy covers a wide courtyard. Nearly 20 large aerial roots have descended into the soil, evolving into sturdy secondary trunks—some so massive they require the outstretched arms of two adults to encircle.
From the main trunk to every winding root, the tree’s rugged textures and timeworn bumps serve as living imprints of its over-300-year journey.
A Gathering Place – Keeper of Village Memories
More than just a rare biological specimen, the ancient banyan is a communal heart of the village. In earlier times, a watch post stood beneath its branches; today, a small shrine built by locals serves as a place of worship.Traditional festivals, folk singing sessions, ceremonial offerings, and even casual chats often take place under its cool, comforting shade. Villagers take turns caring for the tree—sweeping the grounds, trimming dry branches, and treating pests—as if tending to a sacred memory and the soul of the village itself.
On a serendipitous visit, Ms. Nguyen Thi Trang, a resident of Phu Ly, shared her feelings:
“I was truly moved by this ancient banyan. Its roots plunge deep into the earth and have become like individual trunks. Sitting beneath its shade, breathing the fresh, cool air—I felt as if I had returned to my long-lost childhood.”
In the midst of modern life’s hustle and bustle, the Dinh Xa banyan tree quietly reaches skyward—budding, blooming, and bearing fruit with each passing season. It needs no grand nameplate nor exaggerated praise; it remains a vivid emblem of memory, a cultural relic of the land—where people pause, reflect, and gently remind themselves to slow down and listen to the whispers of time.
