Visit the relic of the banyan tree in Phong street

Mr. Nguyen Quang Hop, Party Cell Secretary, Head of Phong village, introduced the historical relic of the banyan tree in Phong village and the Phong festival in the village.

On provincial road 242 connecting the old Huu Lung district of Lang Son province and the old Yen The district of Bac Giang province, the section passing through the middle of Phong village, Van Nham commune, there is an ancient banyan tree with lush roots. Under the banyan tree is Phong market, where for generations people in the commune and neighboring communes have traded and exchanged goods (now the market has been moved a few hundred meters away). Because it is located right in the middle of the bustling market area, the locals here are used to calling it the Phong street banyan tree.

The history of Van Nham Commune Party Committee has repeatedly mentioned the banyan tree on Pho Phong Street as a symbol of solidarity and revolutionary mass fighting spirit.

After occupying Lang Thuong prefecture, the French colonialists built a military post on the hill next to Phong market. On March 9, 1945, when Japan staged a coup, the French post in Phong also quickly surrendered to the Japanese. Following the Central's instructions, in mid-April of that year, the army and people of Van Nham commune broke into the Japanese rice warehouse in Phong to distribute to the people. Taking advantage of the enemy's confusion and fear, the revolutionary forces forced the village chief to hand over the seal, and the Van Nham commune government was established. Immediately afterwards, a large rally took place under the banyan tree at Phong market, attracting a large number of people to participate. "Also at this rally, the people of all ethnic groups were filled with joy, watching the red flag with a yellow star fluttering proudly on the top of the ancient banyan tree in the middle of 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 revolutionary movement of the masses also spread to all communes in the old Huu Lung area. On August 19, the liberation army attacked and liberated Met station, forcing the Japanese army to retreat to Bac Giang. On September 8, 1945, the Viet Minh Huu Lung district committee was established. At noon on September 20, 1945, a large rally continued to be solemnly held at Phong market, Van Nham commune, announcing the official establishment of the Huu Lung district provisional revolutionary committee and introducing it to the people.

The relic of the banyan tree in Pho Phong is associated with important historical events in the commune and district in 1945. This is where two large rallies took place, marking the victory of the revolutionary movement in Van Nham commune and Huu Lung district in the past. According to Mr. Lang Van Lich, former Secretary of the Party Committee of Van Nham commune, in addition to being associated with important rallies in 1945, after the attack by the Van Nham commune guerrilla team and the national defense force on the bandits' lair in Lo Cao, Van Nham commune (January 1946), the bandits surrendered all their weapons to the revolutionary army at the banyan tree in Pho Phong.

80 years have passed, the banyan tree has more green branches, new leaves growing, spreading shade, symbolizing the strong will and vitality of the people here. Currently, the relic site of the banyan tree has been solemnly built, including a stele recording the historical event of the rally on September 20, 1945. Under the banyan tree is not a market but a sports and entertainment area for the people around here.

This fall, visiting the relic of the banyan tree in Phong street, we were able to admire the ancient beauty of the banyan tree, a historical witness standing tall and proud between heaven and earth. Through research, we learned that near the banyan tree there was an ancient village communal house. Every year on January 20, villagers still maintain the water procession festival through the communal house with the wish for a peaceful new year and a bountiful harvest. In recent years, the Phong festival in Van Nham commune has gradually become a tourist product attracting a large number of visitors from inside and outside the province to participate.

Promoting the tradition of revolutionary countryside, in recent years, people in Phong village have united, made efforts, worked hard, and determined to develop the economy, becoming the leading village in all movements and activities of the commune.

Talking to us, Mr. Nguyen Quang Hop, Party cell secretary, head of Phong village, Van Nham commune said: In parallel with agricultural production, people in the village work hard, do business, and trade, thanks to which their income and life are increasingly improving. Currently, there are only 5/396 poor households in the village, accounting for 1.3%. All village roads and alleys have been concreted and have electric lights. People in the village are always united and in agreement with the Party's policies and guidelines, the State's policies and laws, actively contributing to the construction of new rural areas, helping Van Nham commune meet new rural standards in 2022. Currently, cadres, party members, and people in the village 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 commune, Minh Tien commune and Nhat Tien commune of the old Huu Lung district).

Following the flow of history, the ancient banyan tree of Pho Phong still peacefully spreads its shade. The banyan tree has become an important part of the memory of the people here and especially it is also a historical relic that reminds us of the seething spirit and solidarity of our people during the years of fighting for independence and protecting the achievements of the revolution.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/ve-tham-di-tich-cay-da-pho-phong-5056879.html