The unique 3-hole Bodhi tree in Vietnam has just become a heritage tree.

Over time, the temple deteriorated and collapsed, and the Bodhi tree grew and took root in tight clusters surrounding the three main doors of the old church, creating three empty holes (three entrances).

Mr. Ho Van Tien, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Phu Yen, said that on the afternoon of August 11, the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment (VACNE) had just reviewed and recognized the Bodhi tree planted at Luong Van Chanh Temple (Long Phung village, Hoa Tri commune, Phu Hoa district, Phu Yen) as a Vietnamese heritage tree.

The Bodhi tree above has the scientific name Ficus religiosa, belongs to the Ficus family, has 3 trunks, is 21m high, 12m in circumference, and 3.8m in diameter. The age of the tree is determined based on the history of the construction of the tomb and temple of the famous person Luong Van Chanh.

According to historical records, around 1597, Mr. Luong Van Chanh was the District Chief of Tuy Vien, An Bien town, and received an order from Lord Nguyen Hoang to bring about 4,000 migrants to reclaim the land in the South of Dai Viet (from Cu Mong pass to Ca pass, in today's Phu Yen area). He and the migrants gradually reclaimed the land, established hamlets; created the first villages in the Da Dien and Cai river deltas. He died on September 19, Tan Hoi year (1611) in Long Phung village, in today's Hoa Tri commune. To commemorate the person who reclaimed the land of Phu Yen, the local people built a temple to pay tribute, pay homage and honor him as Thanh Hoang.

Over time, the temple deteriorated and collapsed, and the Bodhi tree grew and took root in tight clusters surrounding the three main doors of the old church, creating three empty holes (three entrances). In 1822, the temple was rebuilt for worship, and then continued to be restored as it is today. The Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) recognized the tomb and temple of Luong Van Chanh as a national historical relic.

Bodhi tree in front of Luong Van Chanh temple today

The ancient Bodhi tree surrounded the three main doors of the old temple, creating three unique holes, which the locals call the three-hole Bodhi tree.

Tourists come to visit and take souvenir photos in front of the unique Bodhi tree.

According to soha.vn