On Provincial Road 242, connecting the former Huu Lung district of Lang Son province and the former Yen The district of Bac Giang province, in the section passing through Phong village, Van Nham commune, stands an ancient banyan tree with a sprawling root system. Beneath the banyan tree is Phong Market, where for generations people from the commune and neighboring communes have traded goods (the market has now been relocated a few hundred meters away). Because it is situated right in the middle of the bustling market area, the locals have come to call it the "Phong Street Banyan Tree."
The history of the Van Nham commune Party Committee has repeatedly mentioned the banyan tree in Phong Street as a symbol of the spirit of unity and the revolutionary fighting spirit of the masses.
After occupying Lang Thuong district, the French colonialists built a military outpost on the hill next to Phong market. On March 9, 1945, when the Japanese staged a coup, the French outpost in Phong quickly surrendered to the Japanese. Following the Central Committee's directive, in mid-April of that year, the army and people of Van Nham commune broke into the Japanese granary in Phong to distribute the grain to the people. Taking advantage of the enemy's confusion and fear, the revolutionary forces pressured the village headman to hand over the official seal, and the Van Nham commune government was established. Immediately afterwards, a large rally took place under the banyan tree in Phong market, attracting a large number of people. "At this rally, the people of all ethnic groups were filled with joy, gazing at the red flag with a yellow star proudly flying atop the ancient banyan tree in Phong market" (excerpt from page 16, History of the Van Nham Commune Party Committee 1940-2005).
Along with the revolutionary movement in Van Nham, the mass revolutionary movement also spread to all the communes in the former Huu Lung area. On August 19th, the liberation army attacked and liberated the Met outpost, forcing the Japanese troops to retreat to Bac Giang . On September 8th, 1945, the Huu Lung District Viet Minh Committee was established. By noon on September 20th, 1945, a large rally was solemnly held at Phong Market, Van Nham commune, announcing the official establishment and introduction of the Provisional Revolutionary People's Committee of Huu Lung District to the people.
The banyan tree at Pho Phong Street is associated with important historical events in the commune and district in 1945. Two large rallies marked the victory of the revolutionary movement in Van Nham commune and the former Huu Lung district. According to Mr. Lang Van Lich, former Secretary of the Party Committee of Van Nham commune, besides being linked to the important rallies of 1945, after the attack by the Van Nham commune guerrilla team and the National Guard on the bandits' stronghold in Lo Cao, Van Nham commune (January 1946), the bandits surrendered all their weapons to the revolutionary army at the base of the banyan tree at Pho Phong Street.
Eighty years have passed, and the banyan tree has grown new green branches and tender leaves, spreading its shade and becoming a symbol of the indomitable spirit and vitality of the local people. Currently, the area around the original banyan tree has been solemnly renovated, including a commemorative plaque recording the historical event of the rally on September 20, 1945. The area beneath the tree is no longer a market but has been transformed into a sports and recreation area for the local residents.
This autumn, visiting the ancient banyan tree in Phong village, we were able to admire its timeless beauty, a historical witness standing tall and majestic amidst the landscape. Through our research, we learned that near the base of the banyan tree is an ancient village temple. Every year on the 20th day of the first lunar month, the villagers still maintain the tradition of carrying water through the temple, praying for a peaceful new year and a bountiful harvest. In recent years, the Phong festival in Van Nham commune has gradually become a tourist attraction, drawing many visitors from both within and outside the province.
Building on the revolutionary traditions of their homeland, over the years the people of Phong village have united, strived, worked diligently, and been determined to develop their economy, becoming a leading village in all movements and activities of the commune.
Speaking with us, Mr. Nguyen Quang Hop, Party Secretary and head of Phong village, Van Nham commune, said: Alongside agricultural production, the villagers diligently engage in business and trade, thereby improving their income and living standards. Currently, only 5 out of 396 households in the village remain poor, accounting for 1.3%. All village roads and alleys have been concreted and equipped with streetlights. The villagers are always united and in agreement with the Party's guidelines and policies, and the State's laws and regulations, actively contributing to the construction of new rural areas, helping Van Nham commune achieve the new rural area standard in 2022. Currently, cadres, Party members, and villagers are actively implementing the Resolution of the Van Nham Commune Party Congress for the 2025-2030 term (the commune was established on the basis of merging Van Nham, Minh Tien, and Nhat Tien communes of the former Huu Lung district).
Throughout history, the ancient banyan tree in Phong Street has remained peacefully, casting its shade. The tree has become an important part of the memories of the local people, and it is especially a historical relic that evokes the fervent spirit and unity of our people during the years of struggle for independence and the protection of revolutionary achievements.
Source: https://baolangson.vn/ve-tham-di-tich-cay-da-pho-phong-5056879.html
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