Ham Rong bonsai tree

(Baonghean) - The roots of the banyan tree are so intertwined that they cling to the dragon-shaped rock, so it is named Ham Rong. This makes it stand firm against the flow of time, facing many storms. And the people of Hoa Quan area (now Thanh Huong commune - Thanh Chuong) are always proud that their hometown has that hundreds of years old banyan tree.

The canopy of the ancient banyan tree embraces Ham Rong Temple.

According to the draft of “Thanh Huong Commune Party History”, this land used to have many historical relics. After many wars, the communal house, temple and pagoda system were all degraded and damaged, and now almost nothing is preserved. Fortunately, there is still the banyan tree at the beginning of the village as a “green witness” and a small temple worshiping Cao Son and Cao Cac - the gods who protected the village life and kept the peace in this borderland.

The roots of the banyan tree are tangled and cling to the Ham Rong rock. That is why the temple is also called Ham Rong Temple. The banyan tree trunk is large, its canopy covers a large area and completely embraces Ham Rong Temple.

The ancient banyan tree is the pride of Thanh Huong people.

During the Nghe Tinh Soviet movement and the General Uprising to seize power in 1945, Thanh Huong was one of the leading communes. And the ancient banyan tree and Ham Rong temple were among the places where the revolutionary masses gathered before marching to the district office to join the struggle. It was here that the hammer and sickle flag flew during the Soviet movement and the national flag fluttered on the joyful day of gaining independence.

The elders in Thanh Huong commune still remember that during the resistance war against the French, Ham Rong rock - where there is an ancient banyan tree and a sacred temple - was chosen as a place to produce weapons. That was the Ton That Cung Chemical Factory of the Military Department of Inter-zone 3 - 4 with the main task of producing explosives to stuff rifle bullets and grenades. Around 1947-1948, there were 2 explosions at the factory, killing 8 people, who have now been recognized as martyrs by the state. This incident was confirmed by Mr. Nguyen Van De (from Thanh Linh commune), who participated in production at the factory and later became Secretary of the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union: "As an insider, witnessing the heroic sacrifice of my comrades, I suggested that the commune should erect a memorial stele with the names of the 8 martyrs clearly written to honor their achievements and propose that the authorities confirm the historical site".

Tuong Anh