The Dang My Temple is located deep at the end of a small road in Binh Tay hamlet, Tan Binh commune, Tan Tru district, Long An province. The small temple sits right next to the Dang My canal junction, from which one can reach Tan An city and Tan Tru town by waterway. In the temple courtyard stands an ancient banyan tree over 200 years old.
The large banyan tree has a trunk circumference of up to 14 meters, with branches spreading wide to shade the entire temple area. The tree has an ancient, unique shape, with many sections of roots so large that it takes more than a person to encircle them with their arms.
The people of Binh Tay are proud of the ancient banyan tree in their hometown. Mr. Nguyen Tan Quoc (Party Secretary and Head of the Front Committee of Binh Tay hamlet) recounted: “No one knows exactly when this shrine and banyan tree arrived here, but it holds significant meaning for the people in the hamlet. Despite its rather remote location, for many years, the people of Binh Tay have cared for and protected the shrine and the old banyan tree as an indispensable part of the community.”
According to elderly residents of Binh Tay hamlet, the area around the temple and banyan tree used to be sparsely populated and covered in dense vegetation.
Along both banks of the canal, mangrove trees grow profusely, and the area was a revolutionary base during the anti-American war. With its advantageous waterway location and the shelter of centuries-old banyan trees, the Dang My temple area was often a place where our troops would "hide" before and after attacks.
The ancient banyan tree in the courtyard of Dang My temple has a trunk circumference of up to 14 meters. This ancient tree, located in Binh Tay hamlet, Tan Binh commune, Tan Tru district, Long An province, is approximately 200 years old.
Locals still tell stories that the banyan tree at Dang My temple is a "witness" to the heroic fighting spirit and also the losses and sacrifices of our cadres and soldiers during the struggle for independence.
That is also one of the reasons why the small shrine is cherished and preserved by the people to this day. The old banyan tree in the shrine's courtyard has become a symbol closely associated with the lives of the people in Binh Tay hamlet.
According to Truong Minh Tri, Vice Chairman of the Tan Tru District People's Committee, the banyan tree at Dang My Temple is the first tree in Tan Tru District to be recognized as a Vietnamese Heritage Tree.
The banyan tree not only has scenic value but is also closely associated with the lives of the people and the revolutionary struggles of the people of Binh Tay hamlet, Tan Binh commune in particular, and Tan Tru district in general.
During the recent ceremony recognizing the banyan tree as a Vietnamese Heritage Tree, Mr. Truong Minh Tri requested that the Heritage Tree Management Board and local people pay attention to caring for the banyan tree in order to improve the landscape and preserve and promote local cultural values.
A transformed rural area
The banyan tree at Dang My Temple is the first Vietnamese Heritage Tree in Tan Tru District, Long An Province.
According to Nguyen Thanh Trung, Vice Chairman of the Tan Binh Commune People's Committee: “The care and protection of the heritage banyan tree in the locality will be closely linked to the education of revolutionary traditions, history, and culture for the younger generation. The heritage banyan tree serves as a ‘witness’ to the tradition of unity and heroism of the local people during the resistance war. And that tradition has been preserved and promoted to this day. This is proven by the fact that the Party Committee, the government, and the people of Tan Binh have united to successfully build an advanced new rural commune.”
Having become an advanced new rural commune, Tan Binh has undergone significant changes, presenting a new look from rural infrastructure to environmental landscape. 100% of commune roads are maintained annually, with all necessary items such as signs, directional markers, and speed bumps. 80% of commune roads have street lighting, planted trees, and equipped with trash bins. 100% of agricultural land is under active irrigation.
The material and spiritual lives of the people have improved; poverty reduction and gratitude policies have been implemented effectively. Over 99% of households have houses that meet the technical standards prescribed by the Ministry of Construction. Average per capita income has reached over 68 million VND/year, and the multidimensional poverty rate in the commune is only 0.58%. Education and healthcare continue to develop; social order is ensured; the environment is clean,...
The achievements in successfully building advanced new rural communes in Tan Binh have created enthusiasm among the people, further strengthening the close relationship between the Party, the government, and the local people. Nguyen Tan Quoc, Secretary of the Party Branch and Head of the Front Committee of Binh Tay hamlet, shared: “Since successfully building new rural communes and advanced new rural communes, the people have become even more united. In just 3 months, the commune mobilized all residents living along the road connecting Provincial Road 833C with Dang My road to agree to donate land to expand the road. Not only did they donate land, but they also contributed funds. The road is currently under construction, 1.2 km long and 5 meters wide. When the State and the people work together, anything is possible!”
Source: https://danviet.vn/cay-co-thu-ca-lang-tram-tro-chu-vi-goc-14m-ben-san-mieu-co-o-long-an-do-la-loai-cay-gi-20240615000913584.htm
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