The story of the ancient trees in the special national historical site complex.

Overview of the Nguyen Du Memorial Area, a Special National Heritage Site.

The Nguyen Du Memorial Area, a special national heritage site spanning over 28,000 square meters in Tien Dien commune, Ha Tinh province, is a place of ancestral worship for the Nguyen family of Tien Dien. It attracts visitors not only with its ancient traditional houses but also with the majestic and solemn presence of two ancient trees: the Muom tree and the Nong tree – considered part of the heritage, enduring through time. For over three centuries, these "ancient trees" have stood firm, casting their shade over a corner of the memorial area.

The Muỗm tree and the Nóng tree have been around for about three centuries.

Many documents indicate that these trees were planted in the early 18th century by Mr. Nguyen Quynh (the grandfather of the great poet Nguyen Du). Mr. Nguyen Quynh was renowned for his profound intellect, understanding of numerology, and ambition for academic achievement. He planted three trees – Muom, Nong, and Roi – in front of his house as a way of expressing his hopes for his sons.

Remarkably, later on, the three children of Mr. Nguyen Quynh truly achieved success, contributing to enhancing the prestige of the Nguyen Tien Dien family and laying the foundation for outstanding cultural and historical contributions of subsequent generations.

Nguyen Hue was the eldest son, who passed the doctoral examination; Nguyen Nghiem, the second son and father of the great poet Nguyen Du, passed the imperial examination at the age of 24, later becoming a high-ranking official, reaching the position of Prime Minister, and was granted the title of Xuan Quan Cong; Nguyen Trong, the third son, passed the imperial examination and was granted the title of Lam Khe Hou.

The Hot Tree is the only tree found in the Tien Dien area.

According to the elders here, during a major storm more than 45 years ago, the Roi tree was completely toppled. The other two trees, the Muom tree and the Nong tree, remained standing, continuing to grow and provide lush green shade.

What makes these two ancient trees special is their sacred association with the life and career of Nguyen Du. During those "ten years of hardship," perhaps the familiar images of his homeland, including the shade of these ancient trees, were deeply imprinted in his mind, contributing to the creation of his immortal literary works.

The tree spreads its lush green foliage, full of vitality.

Mr. Nguyen Van Duong (83 years old), an elder of Hong Lam village, Tien Dien commune, shared: "When we were children, we already saw these huge ancient trees, their roots deeply embedded, their canopies shading entire yards. Young people in the village grew up surrounded by these trees. Sitting under their shade always felt like being protected. Looking at these ancient trees is like seeing a part of history. They are not simply green trees, but also memories of an entire rural area. No matter how society develops or changes, the people of Tien Dien village will always be proud to have these two ancient trees. They are living proof, reminding our descendants to preserve the traditions and sacredness of our homeland."

The trunk is rough but sturdy, and not rotten.

For over three centuries, the trunks of the Muỗm and Nóng trees have remained sturdy, their large canopies spreading wide, their branches and leaves lush, and their long roots deeply embedded in the soil, creating an imposing and enduring appearance.

The people of Tien Dien believe that the two ancient trees are like "spirit animals" guarding and protecting this sacred land, the place that preserves the essence of a prestigious family lineage. The trees' vigorous vitality and resilience against the elements of time reflect the indomitable spirit and enduring legacy of Nguyen Du's literature, especially "Truyen Kieu"—a work that has survived through the centuries.

These ancient trees silently cast their shade within the grounds of the Nguyen Du Memorial Area, a special national historical site.

Ms. Dang Thi Thanh, head of Hong Lam village in Tien Dien commune, said: “These ancient trees, some over 300 years old, are a source of shared pride, a link connecting our people to the glorious past of the Nguyen family and the great poet Nguyen Du. It's a natural, spontaneous respect from within our hearts. The villagers regularly assist the monument management board in cleaning and protecting the root area, ensuring there are no acts of encroachment. We educate our children from a young age to be aware of the historical value of the trees so that we can preserve and promote them.”

The younger generation always cherishes the two ancient trees in the heritage complex.

The shade of these trees is not only a place for shelter, but also a quiet place for visitors to pause and reflect more deeply on the space and time in which Nguyen Du lived. In the context of increasingly harsh weather conditions, preserving these historically valuable ancient trees is a significant challenge. At the Nguyen Du Memorial Area, a special national historical site, two of these "ancient trees" are meticulously cared for, following the strict procedures for preserving heritage trees.

The Muỗm and Nóng trees are regularly inspected and cared for, ensuring they remain strong despite the continuous rain and wind that have occurred in the area recently.

“The management board regularly monitors the growth status, controls termite infestation, reinforces the roots, and prunes the branches of the Muỗm and Nóng trees to reduce the risk of breakage during the rainy and stormy season; coordinating with domestic and international units to find additional measures to preserve the landscape and safeguard a part of the soul of the historical site,” shared Ms. Tran Thi Vinh – Deputy Head of the Nguyen Du Historical Site Management Board.

More than just a scenic highlight, these two ancient trees are also witnesses to the passage of time.

Every year, thousands of visitors come to offer incense and visit the Nguyen Du Memorial Site, a special national historical site. They undoubtedly feel deeply the powerful, silent vitality of the two ancient trees. These "old trees" stand there, day after day, as a testament to the enduring existence of Vietnamese culture and spirit, under the shade of the great national poet.