The story of the banyan tree at the Kim Lien National Special Historical Site

Banyan tree in Kim Lien National Special Historical Relic Site (Nam Dan). Photo: Dao Tuan

Located in the grounds of Uncle Ho's paternal home in Lang Sen, the exhibition area and memorial house were built in 1970, after President Ho Chi Minh passed away. This is the first museum in the country to display the biography and revolutionary career of President Ho Chi Minh, whose content was approved by the Politburo and assigned to comrade Truong Chinh, who was then a member of the Politburo, in charge of the National Assembly and the Party's ideological work. After the Ho Chi Minh museum system was established, the exhibition was supplemented with many artistic and creative solutions to honor the documents and artifacts, creating many attractive emotions for viewers. The entire exhibition changed to a newer theme. Besides the traditional content of the homeland, family, and childhood of President Ho Chi Minh, there is also Uncle Ho's feelings for his homeland.

Tourists visit Uncle Ho's hometown. Photo courtesy of Huy Thu.

In 1976, comrade Truong Chinh, who was then Chairman of the National Assembly's Constitutional Drafting Committee, took time to visit President Ho Chi Minh's hometown. Seeing with his own eyes the mementos associated with Uncle Ho's childhood in a simple village, comrade Truong Chinh was so moved that he could not hide his emotions. Memories of Uncle Ho seemed to be reviving in that moment. He took time to visit and burn incense at Uncle Ho's memorial house and visit Kim Lien Museum (the name at that time).

To preserve his feelings, he planted a commemorative banyan tree in the museum area. At that time, the banyan tree was only 10cm in diameter. On the occasion of Uncle Ho's 90th birthday, the museum gate was opened right in front of the banyan tree, just like now (previously the museum gate was opened on the east side). Whether by accident or on purpose, the banyan tree's location became very beautiful, a highlight of the Kim Lien Museum. Before visiting the exhibition area (later name) and burning incense before Uncle Ho's spirit, visitors can stop in front of the majestic banyan tree, which is now over 44 years old, to capture an overview of the exhibition area and the memorial house of President Ho Chi Minh.

The banyan tree was planted by comrade Truong Chinh in 1976 at the Kim Lien National Special Historical Relic Site. Photo: Dao Tuan

What I want to say is why did comrade Truong Chinh choose to plant the banyan tree? Perhaps in the subconscious of every Vietnamese, the banyan tree is a strong symbol of the aspiration to rise up in every traditional village.

The first meaning is its longevity and tenacious vitality. The tree is tall and shady, spreading its branches and leaves to shade a large space. Every day, hundreds of pilgrims come to visit Uncle Ho's hometown, everyone wants to stop by this banyan tree to rest, relax and chat, feel the peaceful atmosphere of the simple countryside still imbued with ancient features and take beautiful pictures next to this large banyan tree.

Coming to the Kim Lien National Special Historical Site, from afar everyone can see the tall and sturdy banyan tree that has witnessed many changes of the site, of Uncle Ho's homeland and of Vietnam. The tenacious vitality of the banyan tree makes this site more sacred, sustainable and radiant.

With the harsh weather, the process of restoration and landscape renovation has affected the banyan tree many times, but with the dedicated care of some agricultural experts, the banyan tree has grown and is full of life. Perhaps its tenacious vitality is like the Vietnamese people, patiently bending before the storm so that when the wind and sky calm down, it can grow again, stronger and more resilient.

Kim Lien National Special Historical Site (Nam Dan). Photo: Dao Tuan

Despite the changes of time, coming to the Kim Lien National Special Historical Site today, visitors and people from near and far can still immerse themselves in the cultural space of a peaceful village with aspirations to rise up. This relic site is surrounded by surrounding villages with green bamboo fences, looming rustic roofs, close to nature. The green grass carpets, watching the colorful flower clusters, and the chirping of birds seem to bring everyone back to the childhood world of the Father of the nation.

After more than 60 years of formation and development, Kim Lien National Special Historical Site not only aims to preserve, embellish and promote the cultural heritage value of President Ho Chi Minh in his hometown, but also is an attractive destination - a red address to educate the tradition of patriotism and revolutionary will for the young generation, gathering the hearts and feelings of compatriots across the country and international friends, contributing to promoting the friendly and hospitable people of Nghe An, creating conditions to promote the socio-economic development of the province.

And in that landscape space, the banyan tree has grown along with the development of the Kim Lien National Special Historical Site. A symbol of the enduring strength and aspiration of the Kim Lien land in the period of integration and development.